Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1921-12-21

over 10 see NOW you behaved your
self!''
what a pity I didn't know" said
Peterson, with a good humored chuclxle.
He seemed in excellent spirits. as he
carefully tore the telegram into tiny
pieces and dropped them overheard
I'VE might have had another Of our
homely little chats over some supper.
Where did you stayT'
SAT the Ritz. And you?"
81 always stop at the Bristol" an
swered Peterson. "Quieter than the
Ritz, I think
FOUR
"Walk right in. Mr.. Green" said
Hugh, as, three hours later, they got
out of taxi in Half Moon street.
This is my little rabbit-hutch."
He followed the American up the
stairs, and produced his latchkey. But
before he could even insert it in the
hole the door was flung open, and
Peter Darrell stood facing him with
evident relief in his face.
THANK the Lord you've come. old
son." he cried, with a brief look at
the detective. There's something do
ing down at Godalming l don't like"
He followed Hugh into the sitting
room.
SAT twelve O'Clock today Toby rang
up. He was talking quite ordinarily
you know the sort of rot he usually
gets off his chest-when suddenly he
stopped quite short and said My God
What do you want?' l could tell he'd
looked up, because his voice was muf-
fled Then there was the sound of a
scuffle, / heard Toby curse, then moth
ing more. rang and rang and rang
no answer"
what did you' do?" Drummond,
with letter in his hand which he
had taken off the mantelpece, was lis
tening grimly.
"Algy was here. He motored straight
off to see if he could find out what
was wrong. I stopped here to tell
you"
Anything through from him?"
'Not a word There's foul play, Or
I'll eat my hat"
But Hugh did not answer. With a
look on his face which even Peter had
never seen before, he was reading the
letter. 1t was short ana to the point,
but he read it three times before he
spoke.
when cid this Gomez" he asked.
IAN hour ago" answered the other
'T very nearly opened it,"
Read it, said Hugh. He handed it
to Peter and went to the door
Denny" he shouted, II want my
car round at once" Then he came
back into the room. IF they've hurt
one hair of her head" he said, his
voice full of a smoldering fury. 'Tn
murder that gang one by one with my
bare hands,"
"Say, captain, may l see this let
ter" said the American: and Hugh
nodded.
"'For PHYS sake. come at once :"
read the detective aloud 1.-The bearer
of this is trustworthy He thought
fully picked his teeth. Girls writ
ing. Do you know herr"
MY fiancee," said Hugh shortly.
"Certain?" snapped the American.
Certain ~ cried Hugh. "Of course
I am. know every curl Of every LET
ter"
There is such thing as forgery"
remarked the detective dispassionately
''D-n it, man." exploded Hugh; 'do
you imagine | don't know my own
girls writMg?"
"a good many bank cashiers have
mistaken their customers writing be-
fore now" said the other, unmoved
'I don't like it, captain. A girl in
real trouble wouldn't put in that bit
about the bearer
''You go to HI" remarked Hugh
briefly. 'Tm going to Godalming"
swell" drawled the American, mot
knowing Godalming, don't know who
scores. But, if you go there-I come
too
'.And me-" said Peter, brighten
ing up.
Hugh grinnned.
''Not you, old son. If Mr. Green will
come, I'll be delighted, but l want
you here at headquarters"
He turned round as his servant put
his head in at the door.
"Car here, sir. Do you want bag
packed?"
'No-only my revolver Are you
roo6v Mr. Groom ~
'Sure thing" said the American. 81
always am"
'Then Wen move" And Peter,
watching the car resignedly from the
window, saw the American grip his
seat with both hands, and then raise
them suddenly in silent prayer, while
an elderly lady fed with scream
to the safety of the area below.
They did the trip in well under the
hour, and the detective got out of the
car with faint sigh Of relief.
Drummond lodged rapidly through
the bushes on his way to The Larches;