Middletown transcript., 1921-06-18
CHAPTER III.
IN Which Things Happen in Half
Moon Street.

ONE.
Hugh DrummOnd folded up the
piece Of paper he was studying ant
rose to his feet as the doctor came
into the room. He then pushed sill
yer box of cigarettes across the table
and waited.
Your friend" said the doctor, lis
in very peculiar condition. Captain
Drummond-very peculiar. Can you
enlighten Inc at all as to what he has
been doing during the last few days?
Drummond shook his head. Haven't
an earthly, DOCTOR"
There is, for instance, that very
unpleasant wound in his thumb" pur
sued the other ';The top joint is
crushed to pulp"
Il noticed that last night" answered
Hugh nOncOmmittally. Looks as if it
had been mixed up between ham,
mer and an anvil. don't it?"
"But have you no idea how it oc-
curred?"
I'm full of ideas" said the sol
dier. "ln fact. If it's any help to you
in your diagnosis that wound was
caused by the application of an un-
pleasant medieval instrument known
as a thumbscrew"
The worthy doctor looked at him in
amazement "A thumbscrew! You
must be joking, Captain Drummond.'
"Very far from it," answered Hugh
briefly. IF you want to know, 1t
was touch and go whether the other
thumb didn't share the same fate"
He blew out cloud of smoke and
smiled inwardly as he noticed the look
Of scandaliZed horror on his compan-
ions face. 1T isn't his thumb that
concerns me-" he continued; "it's his
general condition. What's the matter
with him."
The doctor pursed his lips and
looked wise, while Drummond Won
dered that no one had ever passed. q
law allowing men of his type to be
murdered on sight.
Ellis heart seems sound" he an
swered after weighty pause, "and
found nothing wrong with him con-
stitutionally. In fact. l may say,
Captain Drummond, he is in every
respect most healthy man. Except
-er-except for this peculiar condi-
tion."
Drummond exploded. "Damnation
take it. man, what on earth do you
suppose l asked you to come round
for? It's of no interest to me to hear
that his liver is working properly"
Then he controlled himself. II beg
your pardon, doctor; had rather a
trying evening last night. Can you
give me any idea as to what has
caused this peculiar conditions"
His companion accepted the apology
with an acid bow 'Some form of
drug" he answered.
Drummond heaved a sigh Of relief.
Now we're getting on" he cried
Have you any idea what drug?"
ut is, at the moment, hard to say"
returned the other. I'm day or two,
perhaps, 1 might be able to-er-ar-
rive at some conclusion :"
(which. at present, you have not.
Right: now we know where we are.
AS you don't know what the drug is,
presumably you don't know either how
long it will take for the effect to wear
off"
"That-er-is, within limits, cor
| hn
what about diet?"
"Oh! light. Not too much
meat. No alcohol >"
! He rose to his feet as Hugh opened
the door; really the war seemed to
have produced distressing effect on
peoples manners. Diet was the one
question on which he always let him.
self go.
"NOt much meat-nO alcohol. Right.
Good morning. doctor. Down the
stairs and straight on. Good MORN
ing" The door closed behind him.
and he descended to his waiting car
with cold disapproval on his face.
Excuse me, SIR" The doctor
paused and eyed well-dressed man
who had spoken to him uncompro-
misingly. Gam l right in assuming
that you are 4 dOctor?"
"You are perfectly correct. Sir, in
your assumption"
| The man smiled: obviously gen.
tleman, thought the practitioner, with
his hand on the door Of his car.
Its about a great pal Of mine,
Captain Drummond, who lives in
here" went on the other. II hope you
won't think it unprofessional, but
thought I'd ask you privately, how
you find him."
The doctor looked surprised. Cap
tain Drummond, so far as l am aware,
has never been better. I-er-cannot
say the same Of his friend" He
stepped into his car. "Why not 60 up
and see for yourself?''
The car rolled smoothly into Pic
cadilly, but the man showed no signs
of availing himself Of the doctors
suggestion. He turned and walked
rapidly away. and few moments later
jim an exclusive West End club
trunk call was put through to
Godalming-,a call which caused the
recipient to nod his head in satisfac-
ton and order the Rolls-Royce.
Meanwhile, unconscious Of this sud-
den solicitude for his health, Hugh