The Lamar register., 1921-06-08

sHt fbHtlnueu hurfleulF. 50 1tnulsHIS
| clever. that even you would be u child
In their hands"
Hugh endeavored TO dissemble his
pleasure at that little word even"
and only succeeded In frowning hor-
ribly
II will be discretion ITSELF" he as
sured her firmly.
81 suppose shall have to trust
you" she said. Have you seen the
evening papers today?
II looked at the ones that come out
in the morning labeled six p. m.; be
fore I had lunch" he answered. "Is
there anything of INTEREST,""
She handed him a copy of the
Planet. Read that little paragraph
In the second column" She pointed
TO II. as he took the paper, and Hugh
read 1t aloud.
"Mr. Hiram C. Potts-the celebrat-
ed American millionaire-is progress
Ing favorably. He has gone int the
country for a few days. but is suf-
ficfently recovered to conduct business
as usual" He laid down the paper
and looked at the girl sitting opposite.
u
puzzled tone, ''for the sake of Mr..
Potts. To be III and have a name
like that is more than most men
could stand. But l don't quite
see :"
THAT man was stopping at the
Carlton. where he met Lakington,"
said the Ngiri. He is multI-mil-
lionaire, over here In connection with
some big steel trust; and when multi
millionaires get friendly with Laking-
ton. their health frequently does suf-
fer"
But this paper says he's getting
better" objected DrummOnd. "'Suf-
ficiently recovered to conduct business
as usual"
'If he is sufficiently recovered TO
conduct business as usual, why did he
send his confidential secretary away
yesterday morning on an urgent mis-
sion to Belfastf"
Search me-" said Hugh. "Inct-
dentally. how do you know he didr'
Il asked at the Carlton this morn
ing" she answered. II said I'd come
after job as typist for Mr.. Potts.
They told me at the inquiry ONCE that
he was Ill in bed and unable to see
anybody. So l asked for his secre-
tary, and they told me what I've Just
told you-thst he had left for Belfast
that morning and would be away sew
erai days. 1t may be that there's
nothing In 1t: on the other hand. 1t
may be that there's q lot And it's
only by following up every possible
clue" she continued nercely. that l
can hope to beat those nends and get
daddy out of their clutches"
Drummond nodded grsvely. and did
not speak. For into his mind had
flashed suddenly the remembrance Of
that sinister, motionless figure seated
by the chauffeur The widest guess
work certsiniy-no vestige of proof
and yet. having once come. the
thought stuck. And as he turned IL
over in his mind. almost prepared to
laugh at himself for his credulity-
millionaires are not removed against
their will in broad daylight. from one
OF the biggest hotels In London. to sit
In immovable silence in an open car
the door opened and an elderly man
came in.
Hugh rose. and the girl introduced
the two men. An old friend. daddy"
she said. you must have heard me
speak of Captain Drummond."
"I don't recall the name at the mo-
ment. my dear" he answered courte-
ously-a fact which was hardly sur
prising-'but fear I'm getting q little
forgetful. You'll stop and have some
dinner Of course"
Hugh bowed. Il should like to. Mr..
Benton. Thank you very much. I'm
afraid the hour OF nv call was little
Informal. but being round in thsss
parts, felt l must come and look
Miss Benton up"
His host smiled absentmindedly,
and walking TO the window, stared
through the gathering dusk at the
house opposite, half hidden in the
trees. And Hugh, who was watching
aim from under lowered lids, saw him
suddenly clench both hands In a ges-
.ure of despair
II cannot be said that dinner was
meal Of sparkling gaiety. Mr.. Ben
Ton was palpably i'll at ease. and be-