The Holbrook news., 1921-08-26

asked at length.
 'I can tell you very little about him,
 she answered. "He came to The Films
 that Is the name of Lskington's
 house-three months ago. He is about
 medium height and rather thick-set
 clean-shaven. with thick brown hair fiecked slightly with white. His fore
 head is broad, and his eyes are
 sort of cold grey-blue. But it's his
 hands that terrify me. They're large
 and white and utterly ruthless" She
 turned to him appealingly. "Oh! don't
 think I'm talking wildly" she i'm plored. He frightens me to death that man: far, far worse than Laking- ton. He would stop at nothing to gain his ends. and even Lakington himself knows that Mir. Peterson is his mas | ter"
 Peterson !" murmured Drummond. "It seems quite a sound old English name"
 The girl laughed scornfully. "Oh the name is sound enough. if it was his real one. AS it is. it's about as real as his daughter"
 "There is a lady in the case. then? ?"
 "By the name of Irma," said the girl briefly. "She lies on a sofa in the garden and yawns. She's no more English than that waiter" faint smile flickered over her companions face: he had formed a fairly vivid mental picture of Irma. Then he grew serious again.
 And what Is it that makes you think there's mischief ahead?" he asked abruptly.
 The girl shrugged her shoulders. "what the nOvelists call feminine in- tuition. suppose" she answered. "That-and my father" She said the last words very low. "He hardly ever sleeps at night now hear him pacing up and down his room-hour after hour, hour after hour. Oh 1t makes me mad. Don't you understand? I've got to get him away from those devils. before he breaks down con- pletely."
 Drummond nodded. and looked away. While she had been speaking he had made up his mind what course to take, and now, having outsat every body else. he decided that it was time for the interview to cease. Already an early diner was having a cocktail, while Lakington might return at any moment. And if there was anything in what she had told him, it struck him that it would be as well for that gentleman not to find them together.
 "I think" he said, "we'd better go. My address is GOA Half Moon street; my telephone 1234 Mayfair. If any thing happens, if ever you want me at any hour of the day or night-ring me up or write. If I'm not in, leave a message with my servant Denny. He is absolutely reliable. The only other thing is your own address"
 "The Larches, near Godalming," an- swered the girl as they moved toward the door. "Oh! if you only knew the glorious relief of feeling ones got some one to turn to ." She looked at him with shining eyes. ard Drummond felt his pulse quicken sud- denly.
 May l drop you anywhere" he asked, as they stood on the pavement, but she shook her head.
 "No, thank you. I'll go in that taxi" She gave the man an address. and stepped in, while Hugh stood bare headed by the door.
 Don't forget" he said earnestly. Any time of the day or Light. And while I think of it-we're old friends. Can that be done? In case l come and stay. you see"
 She thought for a moment and then nodded her head. "All right" she an- swered. We've met a lot in London during the war;"
 With a grinding of gear wheels the taxi drove off, leaving Hugh with a vivid picture imprinted on his mind of blue eyes. and white teeth, and a skin like the bloom of sun-kissed peach
 For a moment or two he stood star ing after it, and then he walked across to his own car. With his mind still full of the interview he drove slowly aloEg Piccadilly, while every now and then he smiled grimIy to himself. Was the whole thing an elaborate hoax? Somehow deep down in his mind, he wondered whether It was a joke whether. by some freak of fate, he had | stumbled on one of those strange nyS- | teries which up to date he had re garded as existing only in the realms of dime novels.
 He turned into his rooms, and stooS in front of the mantelpiece taking | off his gloves. It was as he was | about to lay them down on the table | that ar envelope caught his eye. ad- | dressed to him in an unknown hand | writing. Mechanically he picked it up | and opened it. Inside was a single | half-sheet of notepaper, on which a few lines had been written in a small. | neat hand.
 "There are more things in heaven and earth, young man. than a capabil- ity for eating steak and onions, and a desire for adventure. I imagine that you possess both: and they are useful assets in the second locality mentioned by the poet. In heaven, however, one never knows especially with regard to the onions Be careful'
 Drummond stood motionless for a moment, with narrowed eyes. Then he leaned forward and pressed the bell.
 "Who brought this note, James?" he said ouietly. as his servant came into