The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1921-07-22

book. "Notre NOM, M'Sieur, sfl vOuS
plait?'
"~Undoubtedly, mon Colonel" re.
marked Hugh vaguely. "Nous crash
onS dams"
lie wants your name, old dear"
murmured Jerry weakly.
"Oh, does hep Hugh boamed on
the gcndarmc. you priceless little
bird! Ny name is Captain Hugh
D~rummOnd.'
Ana as he spoke, a man sitting close
hy, who had been an amused onlooker
Of the whole scene, stirencd suddenly
in his chair ana stared hard at Hugh.
It was only for a second, and then
he was nCG more merely the politely
interested spectator. But Hugh had
seen that quick look, though he gave
no sign ana when at last the French
man departed, apparently satisfied, he
leaned over and spoke to Jerry.
"See that man with the suit of
han~d-me-downs and the Cigar?" he re-
marked. Hes in the game; Pm just
wondering on which side"
He was not left long in doubt, for
barely had the swing doors closed
behind the gendarme, when the man
in question rose and came over TO
him.
Excuse me, sir" he said, in a pro-
nounced nasal twanG, but l heard
you say YOU were Captain Hugh
Drummond. guess you're one of
the men I've come across the water
TO see. My card"
Hugh glanced at the pasteboard Ian
guidly.
"Mr. Jerome X. Green" he MUIR
INJURED. what n jolly sort of name"
See here, Captain" went on the
other, suddenly displaying n badge
hidden under his coat. '"That'll put
YOU wise. That badge is the badge OF
the police force Of the United States
Of America; and that Same force Is
humming some NJ the moment" He
sat down beside Hugh, and bent for
ward confidently. There's a prom
inent citizen Of New York city been
miSlaid, Captain; and, from infOrma-
ton we've got, we reckon you know
quite a lot about his whereabouts.
What about Hiram G.. Potts?"
What, indeed?" remarked Hugh.
Sounds like a riddle. don't it,"
you've heard OF him, CaptaInY
Few people have not"
"Yes-but you've met him recently"
said the detective, leaning forward.
you know where he is, and"-he
tapped Hugh on the knee impressively
II want him. / want to take him
back in cottonwood to his wife and
daughters. That's why I'm over on
this side, Captain, just for that n
purpose"
"There seem to me to be a con-
siderable number Of people wander
Ing around who share your opinion
about Mr.. Potts" drawled Hugh. HE
must be a popular sort of cove"
Popular amt the word for 1t, Cap
tain" said the other. Have you
got him now?'
"In a matter of speaking. yes" an
swered Hugh, b%eckonfng to a passing
waiter. Three Martins"
where Is hep snapped the detective
eagerly.
Hugh laughed.
Being wrapped up in cottonwood
by somebody else'S wife and daugh-
ters. You were a little too quick, Mr..
Green; you may be all you say-on
the other hand, you may not. And
these days I trust no one"
The American nodded his head in
approval.
Quite right" he remarked. my
motto-and yet I'm going to trust you.
Weeks ago we heard things on the
other side, through certain channels,
rs to a show which was on the rails
overe here"
Hugh nodded.
'"Then- Hiram Potts got mixed up
in it; exactly how. we weren't wise
to. But it was enough to bring me
over here. Two days ago I got this
cable" He produced a bundle OF
papers, and handed one to Drum
mond. ITS In cipher, as you see;
I've put the translation underneath"
Hugh took the cablegram and
glanced at 1t. 1t was short and to
| the point:
Captain Hugh Drummond. OF Half
| Moon street, London. Is your man."
He glanced up at the American, who
drained his cocktail with the air Of q
man who Is satisfied with life.
Captain Hugh DrummOnd Of Half
Moon street, London, Is my man." he
chuckled. "Well, Captain, what abou.
1t now? VIII you tell me why you've
come to PARISH I guess it's something
to do with the business I'm on"
For a few moments Hugh did not
reply. and the American seemed In
no hurry for an answer. Some early
arrivals for dinner sauntered through
the lounge and Drummond watched
them idly as they passed. The Ameri
can detective certainly seemed al
right, but. Casually. hi
glance rested on Q man sitting Jus
opposite, reading the paper. He tool
l--A -.- g-~->-S