Middletown transcript., 1921-08-13

by, who had been an amused OnlOOker
of the whole scene, stiffened suddenly
in his chair and stared hard ut Hugh.
It was only for a second, and then
he was once more merely the politely
interested spectator. But Hugh had
seen that quick look, though he gave
no sign; and when at last the French
man departed, apparently satisfied, ne
leaned over and spoke to Jerry.
"See that man with the cult OF
hand-me- downs and the cigar?" he re-
marked. Hes in the game; I'm 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 pro-
nounced nasal twang, 'but l heard
you say you were Captain Hugh
Drummond. l 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 jolly sort of name"
"See here, Captain" went on the
other, suddenly displaying a 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 at the moment" He
sat down beside Hugh, and bent for
ward confidently. "There's prom
inent citizen of New York city been
mislaid, Captain; and, from informa-
ton we've got, we reckon you know
quite lot about his whereabouts.
What about Hiram c. Potts?"
"What, indeed?" remarked Hugh.
Sounds like riddle, don't it?''
"You've heard Of him, Captain?"
"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
Il want him. l 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 one
purpose"
"There seem to me to be 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 it, Cap
tain," said the other. "Have you
got him now?"
TN matter of speaking, yes" an
swered Hugh, beckoning to a passing
waiter. "Three Martins"
"Where is he?" snapped the detective
eagerly.
Hugh laughed.
"Being wrapped up in COTTONWOOD
by somebody else's wife and daugh
tiers. You were little too quick, Mr.
Green; you may be all you say-on
the other hand, you may not. Ano
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
as to a show which was on the rails
overe here"
Hugh nodded.
"Then Hiram Potts got mixed uI
in it; exactly how, we weren't Wist
to. But it was enough to bring me
over here. Two days ago 1 got thi:
cable" He produced a bundle o.
papers, and handed one to Drum
mond. Its in cipher, as you see
I've put the translation underneath
Hugh took the cablegram ant
glanced at it. 1t was short and t.
the point:
Captain Hugh Drummond, of Hal
Moon street, London, is your man.
He glanced up at the American, VIII
drained his cocktail with the air of I
man who is satisfied with life.
Captain Hugh Drummond of Hal
Moon street, London, is my man." h
chuckled. "Well, Captain, what abou
it now? Will you tell me why you'y'
come to Paris? I guess it's something
to do with the business I'm on"
For a few moments Hugh did no
reply. and the American seemed il
no hurry for an answer. Some earl.
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 a man sitting jus
opposite. reading the paper. He tool
in the short, dark beard-the immacu
late. though slightly foreign evening
clothes; evidently wealthy French
man giving dinner party in the res
taurant by the way the head. waite
was lowering around. And then sud
denly his eyes narrowed, and he sa
motiOnless.
"Are you interested in the psycholC
gy Of gambling, Mr.. Green?' he re
marked, turning to the somewha
astonished American. "Some peopl
cannot control their eyes or thei
mouth if the stakes are big; other
cannot control their hands. For in
stance, the gentleman opposite. Doe
anything strike you particularly wit
regard to him?"
The detective glanced across tn
lounge.
"He seems to like hitting his kne
with his .left hand" he said, afte
a short inspection.
: "Precisely." murmured Hugh. "Tha
;s WHY l came to Paris"