The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-07-16

" will be discretion ITSELF" he as
sured her firmly.
81 suppose l shall have to trust
you," she said. "Have you seen the
evening papers today?"
81 looked at the ones that come out
in the morning labeled six p m.; be-
fore l had LUNCH" he answered. rs
there anything of interest?'
She handed him a copy of the
Planet. Read that little paragraph
in the second column" She pointed
to it, as he took the paper, and Hugh
read it aloud.
"Mr. Hiram c. Potts-the celebrat-
ed American millionaire-is progress
ing favorably. He has gone into the
country for a few days, but is suf-
ficiently recovered to conduct business
as usual" He laid down the paper
and looked at the girl sitting opposite.
| "One is pleased" he remarked in
puzzled tone, "for the sake Of Mr..
Potts. To be ill and have name
| like that is more than most men
could stand. But don't quite
| see
"That man was stopping at the
| Carlton, where he met LakingtOn,
| said the girl. "He is multi-mil-
lionaire, over here in connection with
some big steel trust; and when multi
| millionaires get friendly with Laking-
ton, their health frequently does suf-
| fer"
"But this paper says he's getting
better" objected Drummond. 'Suf-
ficiently recovered to conduct business
as usual"
| 'Tf he is sufficiently recovered to
conduct business as usual, why did he
send his confidential secretary away
Yesterday morning on an urgent mis-
sion to Belfast?"
"Search me-" said Hugh. "1nci-
dentally, how do you know he did?'
81 asked at the Carlton this morn
ing" she answered. II said I'd come
after a Job as typist for Mr.. Potts
They told me at the inquiry office that
he was i'll in bed and unable to see
ANYBODY. So 1 asked for his secre
tary, and they told me what I've just
told you-that he had left for Belfast
that morning and would be away sew
eral days. 1t may be that there's
nothing in it; on the other hand. II
may be that there's lot. And it's
only by following up every possible
clue" she continued fiercely. "that
can hope to beat those fiends and ge'
daddy out Of their clutches"
Drummond nodded gravely, and die
not speak. For into his mind hat
flashed suddenly the remembrance o.
that sinister, motionless figure seated
by the chauffeur. The widest guess
work certainly-no vestige Of proof
and vet, having once come, thu
thought stuck. And as he turned i
over In his mind. almost prepared T.
laugh at himself for his credulity-
millionaires are not removed agains
their will, in broad daylight. from on
Of the biggest hotels in London. to 81
In immovable silence in an open ca
: the door opened and an elderly mai
came in.
Hugh rose, and the girl INTRODUCES
the two men. IAN old friend, daddy.
she said. "You must have heard m
speak Of Captain Drummond."
81 don't recall the name at the me
ment, my DEAR" he answered courte
,, ously-a fact which was hardly SUI
prising-"but I fear I'm getting littl
foreetful. You'll stop and have som
dinner, Of course"
Hugh bowed. II should like to. Nj
Benton. Thank you very much. II
afraid the hour Of my call was littl
informal, but being round in thes
. parts, 1 felt / must come and loo
!. Miss Benton up"
His host smiled absentmindedi'
and walking to the window. stare
!. through the gathering dusk at IN
: house opposite, half hidden In tn
trees. And Hugh, who was watchln
him from under lowered lids, saw hi
! suddenly clench both hands in &c
ture OF despair.
4 It cannot be said that dinner we
a meal of sparkling gaiety. Mr.. Be-
\ ton was palpably i'll at ease, and D
yond a few desultOry remarks spot
hardly at all; while the girl, who 81
4 opposite Hugh. though she made OF
or two valiant attempts to break II
| long silences, spent most OF the me
| In covertly watching her father.
| anything more had been required
| convince Drummond of the genuin
i ness of his interview with her at Il
\ Carlton the preceding day, the atmo
A phere at this strained and silent par
A supplied it.
4 AS If unconscious Of anything pee
liar he rambled on in his usual ]
consistent method, needless OF whet
i er he was answered or not; but
n the time his mind was busily workir
J He had already decided that a Rol
Royce was not the only car on {
market which could break down my
teriously, and with the town SO I
away, his host could hardly fail
ask him to stop the night. And tn
/ he had not yet quite settled how
he proposed to have closer look
II The Films.