The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-12-01
CHAPTER THREE.
In Which Things Happen In Hah
Moon Street

Hugh Drummond folded up the
piece Of paper he was studying ana
rose 10 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, us
ia a very peculiar condition, Captain
Drummond-yery peculiar. Can you
enlighten me at all as to what he mas
been doing during the last few daysF
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 10 a pulp"
81 noticed that last night" answered
Hugh noncommittally. Looks as II II
had been mixed up between a ham
mer aud an anvil don't itf'
"But have you no idea how 1t oc-
curredf'
I'm full Of ideas" said the sol
der. "ln fact, II it's any help to you
IN your diagnosis that wound was
caused by the application Of an IN
pleasant medieval instrument known
as a thmbscrew."
The worthy doctor looked at him In
amazement. "A thumbscrew You
must be joking Captain Drummond'
every far from IT," answered Hugh
briefly. IF you want to know, II
was touch and 20 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 at isn't his thumb that
concerns me-" he continued; ''it's his
general condition. What's the matter
with himi'
The doctor pursed his lips and
looked wise, while Drummond won
dered that no one had ever passed
law allowing men of his type to be
murdered on sight.
"HiS heart seeLis sound" ne an
swered after a welghty 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-
ton"
Drummond exploded. "Damnation
take IT, man. what on earth do you
suppose ! asked you to come round
for? It's of no interest 10 me 70 hear
that his liver is working properly"
Then he controlled himself. Il beg
your pardon, doctor; ! had rather
trying evening last night Can you
give me any idea as TO what has
caused this peculiar condition."
His companion accepted the apology
with an acid bow. "Some form Of
drug" he answered.
Drummond heaved sigh of relief
"Now we're getting on" he cried.
"Have you any idea what drugT
at is, al the moment, hard TO say"
returned the other. in day or two,
perhaps, | might be able tcA-er-ar-
rive AZ 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 ii viii take for the effect TO wear
of"
"That-er-is. within limits. cor
rect" conceded the doctor.
"What about dietf"
ooh, light. Not too much
meat. No alcohol -
+ He rose to his feet as Hugh opened
I the door; really the war seemed to
4 have produced distressing effect on
peoples manners. Diet was the one
question on which be always let him
self 20.
mot much meat-no alcohol Right.
I Good morning, doctor. Down the
stairs and straight on. Good morn
I ing" The door closed behind him.
and be descended 70 his waiting car
with cold disapproyai on his face.
Excuse me, sir" The doctor
paused and eyed well-dreSsed man
who had spoken to him uueemprO-
mlsingly. IAN ! right In assuming
ulat you are a d0ctory"
"You are perfectly correct sir. IN
your assumption"
Tie man smiled obviously gen
uemau. Thought the practitioner Hi-a
his hand 90 rhe door OF his car
FITS about q great Dad q mime
Cartaln Drumma8g who Ewes ID
here. sent 90 tie afier q bore sou
won't thins % ulHrufe-~.anaL bot
thought I'd ask sou privately hos
you hHd hitu
The doctor looked surprised Gap
tain Drummond - far as am avure
has never been better T-er-cann1i
say The sane y his friend. IL
stepped Into his chr why TOT - 70
and - Tor your~s.ff-
TIE car rolled smoothly into Pc.
cadlly but the man showed % signs
-