The Holbrook news., 1921-08-26
CHAPTER II.
In Which He Journeys to Godalmins
 and the Game Begins.


tOy Mlln hluHSN. looked across the table at his servant, who was carefully arranging two or three dozen letters in groups. I've got a journey in front of me today, and l require large breakfast"
 James Denny supplied the de1- ciency from a dish that was standing on an electric heater.
 Are you going for long, slr?"
 ''I don't know, James. It all de pends on circumstances. Which. when you come to think of 1t. is undoubtedly one of the most fatuous phrases in the English language. Is there anything in the world that doesn't depend on circumstances"
 Will you be motoring, sir. or going by train?'' asked James prosaically. Dialectical arguments did not appeal to him.
 By car" answered Drummond. "Pajamas and a toothbrush
 You won't take evening clothes. sir?"
 "No. I want my visit to appear un- premeditated James, and if one goes about completely encaseG in boiled shirts. while pretending to be merely out for the afternoon. people have doubts as to ones intellect"
 James digested this great thought in silence.
 twill you be going far, sir?" he asked at length, pouring out a second cup of coffee.
 "To Godalming. A charming spot, believe. though I've never been there. Charming inhabitants, too. James. The lady I met yesterday at the Carlton lives at Godalming."
 Indeed, sir" murmured James non- committally.
 You d-d old humbug," laughed Drummond, you know you're itching to know all about it. I had a very long and interesting talk with her, and one of two things emerges quite clear ly from our conversation. Either, James. I am a congenitaI idiot, and don't know enough to come in out of the rain; or we've hit the goods. That is what ] propose to find out by my little excursion. Either our legs. my friend. are being pulled till they will never resume their normal shape; or that advertisement has succeeded be- yond our widest dreams
 "There are a lot more answers in this morning, sir" Denny made movement toward the letters he had been sorting. "One from a lovely widow with two children"
 Lovely" cried Drummond. How forward of herI'' He glanced at the letter and smiled. Care. James. and accuracy are essential in a secretary. The misguided woman calls herself lonely, not lovely. She will remain so, as far as l am concerned. until the other matter is settled"
 "WilI it take long. sir. do you think?"
 ITO get 1t settled?" Drummond lit a cigarette and leaned back in his chair Listen, James. and I will out line the case The maiden lives at a house called The Larches. near God aiming, with her papa. Not far away is another house called The Films. owned by a gentleman of the name of Henry LakingtOn-a nasty man. James. with a nasty face-who was also at the Carlton yesterday after noon for a short time. And now we come to the point. Miss Benton that is the lady's name-accuses Mir. Lakington of being the complete IT in the criminal line. She went even so far as to say that he was the sec Ond most dangerous man in England"
 Indeed. sir. More coffee. sir?'
 twill nothing move you. James7" remarked his master plaintiveIy. "This man murders people and does things like that. you know"
 Personally. sir. I prefer a picture palace But I suppose there ain't no accounting for 'obbies. May I clear away. sir?"
 No, James, not at present. Keep quite still while I go on, or I shall get it wrong. Three months ago there arrived at The Films. the most dan gerous man in England-the TT of ITS. This gentleman goes by the name of Peterson. and he owns daughter. From what Miss Benton | said. I have doubts about that daugh- | ter, James," He rose and strOlled over ! to the window. Grave doubts. How ever. to return to the point, it ap- | pears that some unpleasing conspiracy | is being launched by TT. the IT of ITS. and the doubtful daughter. into | which Papa Benton has been unwill- | ingly drawn. As far as l can make | out, the suggestion is that I should | unravel the tangled skein of crime and extricate papa"
 In a spasm of uncomfortable ex- citement James sucked his teeth. "Lumme, 1t wouldn't 'alf go on the movies, would it?" he remarked. Bet ter than them Red Indians and things"
 'I fear, James. that you are not in the habit of spending your spare time at the British museum, as hoped" said Drummond. And your brain doesn't work very quickly. The point is not whether this hideous af- fair is better than Red Indians and whether it's genuine. Am I to battle with murderers, or shall I find a house party roaring with laughter on the lawn?"