The St. Charles herald., 1921-07-23
CHAPTER III.
In Which Things Happen In Ha'f
Moon Street.
ONE

piece of paper he was studying and
rose to his feet as the doctor came
into the room. He then pushed a sill
yer box Of cigarettes across the table
and waited.
"Your friend" said the doctor, 'is
In a very peculiar condition, Captain
Drummond-very peculiar. Can you
enlighten me at all as to what he has
been doing during the last few days"
Drummond shock 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"
II noticed that last night" answered
Hugh noncommittally. Looks as If 1t
had been mixed up between a ham,
mer and an anvil, don't it!'
"But have you no idea how It oc-
curredY
"Tm full Of IDEAS" said the SOL
dier. "In fact, II it's any help to you
in your diagnosis that wound was
caused by the application Of an un-
pleasant medieval instrument known
as 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 60 whether the other
| thumb didn't share the same fate"
| He blew out a 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.
"His heart seems sound" he an
swered after q weighty pause, "and
found nothing wrong with him con
stitutionally. In fact. may say
Captain Drummond, he Is in every
respect a most healthy man. Except
-er-except for this peculiar condi
tion."
/ Drummond exploded. "Damnatior
take 1t, man, what on earth do yor
suppose asked you to come round
for? It's Of no interest to me to heal
that his liver is working properly
Then he controlled himself. Il bel
your pardon, doctor; had rather |
trying evening last night. Can yo'
give me any idea as to what ha
| caused this peculiar condition."
His companion accepted the apolog.
:. with an acid bow. "Some form 0
drug" he answered.
Drummond heaved q sigh Of relief
"Now we're getting on" he cried
"Have you any idea what drug?"
.It is, at the moment, hard to say.
returned the other. TN day or two
perhaps. l might be able to-er-al
rive at some conclusion
.Which, at present, you have no
Right: now we know where we ar
Az Won don't know what the drug Il
presumably you don't know either ho'
long It will take for the effect to wea
on"
"That-er-is, within limits, CO..
rect conceded the doctor.
.What about diet3"
~Ohl light. Not too muc
meat. -. No. alcohol
He rose to his feet as Hugh opene
the door; really the war seemed I
have produced q distressing effect 0
peoples manners. Diet was the on
question on which he always let hin
| self 60.
"Not much meat-no alcohol. Righ
. Good morning. doctor. Down tt
stairs and straight on. Good NOR
ing" The door closed Behind hir
, and he descended to his waiting CT
with cold disapprovaI on his face.
.Excuse me. sir" The doct'
paused and eyed a well-dressed ma
who had spoken to him uncompr
misingly. "Am r right in assumir
that you are a doctorT
.You are perfectly correct. sir.
"A