The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-07-07

He read the letter through rapidly.
and then. turning back TO the begin
nlng. he read II slowly through again
my deur Box XI0--I don't know
whether your advertisement was q
Joke: ! suppose IL must have been.
But ] read IL this morning, and it's just
possible. Xl0. just possible. you mean
Il. And II you do, you're the man /
want. I can offer you excitement and
probably crime.
I'm up against II, X10. For a girl
Pve bitten OF rather more than l can
chew. I want help-badly. VIII you
come tO The Carlton for tea tomorrow
afternoon? / want TO have n look at
you and see If think you are genu-
lne Wear white flower I'm your but
tonhOle"
Drummond laid the letter down, and
pulled ont his cigarette case. ITO
morrow. James" he murmured. That
Il tOday-this very afternoon. Verify
! believe that we have impinged upon
the goods" He rose and stood look
ing out of the window thoughtfully.
"YOu think it's genuine. sir? said
James.
His master blew out cloud OF
smoke. II know 1t is" he answered
dreamiIy. Look at that writing; the
decision In 1.-THE character. She'll
be medium height. and dark. with the
sweetest little nose and mouth. Her
coloring James, will be
But James had discreetly left the
room.
TWO.
At four O'Clock exactly Hugh Drum
mOnd stepped out of his twO-seater at
the Haymarket entrance 70 the Carl
ton. For a few moments after enter
ing the hotel he stood M the top of
the stairs outside the dining room,
while his eyes travelled round the ia
bles in the lounge below.
Slowly and thoroughly he continued
his search II was early, OF course,
yet, and she might not have arrived,
but he was taking no chances.
Suddenly his eyes ceased wandering,
and remained fixed on table at the
far end OF the lounge. Half hidden
behind a plant girl was seated alone.
and for a moment she looked straight
ut him. Then with the faintest sus-
picion of a smile, she turned away, and
commenced drumming on the table
with her fingers.
The table next to her was unOccu-
pied and DrummOnd made his way to-
ward II and sat down.
He felt not the slightest doubt In
his mind that this was the girl who
had written him. and. having given
an order To the waiter, he started to
study her face as unObtruSlveiy as pos
sible He could only see the profile,
but that was quite sufficient 10 make
him bless the moment when more as a
jest than ANYTHING else ne had sent
his advertisement to the paper.
Her eyes. he could see. were very
blue; and great masses Of golden
brown hair cOiled over her ears. from
under II small black hat. He glanced
M her hands. and noted. with approx
al. the "hSence of any ring Then he
looked once more at her face. and
found her eyes were fixed ON him.
This time she did not look away.
She seemed 10 think that IL was her
turn 10 conduct the examination and
DrummOnd fumbled in his waistcOat
pocket After moment he found
what he wanted, and taking out card
he prOpped it against the teapot so
that the girl could see what was on it.
In large black capitals he had written
Box X10.
She spoke almost at once. You'll
do. X10." she said, and he turned TO
her with smile.
Its very nice OF you to say So" he
murmured. II l may, will return
the compliment So will you"
She frOwned- slightly. This isn't
foolishness. you know. What l said in
my letter is literally true. want
you TO tell me-" and there was no trace
of jesting in her voice. tell me, on
your word of honor, whether that ad-
vertisement was bona fide or a joke"
He answered her In the same vein.
1T started more or less as a joke. 1t
may now be regarded as absolutely
genuine"
She nodded as If satisfied. Are
you prepared 10 risk your Iife7"
DrummOnd's eyebrows went up and
then he smiled. Granted that the
Inducement is sufficient" he returned
slowly, Il think may say that 1 am"
He saw that she was staring over
his shoulder at some one behind his
back.
Don't look around" she ordered,
~and tell me your name quickly"
'Drummond - Captain Drummond
late OF the Loamshires." He leaned
back In his chair. and Lit cigarette.
my dear Phyllis" said a voice be
hind his back. ''this is a pleasant sur.
prise. / had no idea that you were In
London"
A tall, clean-shaven man stopped be
side the table, throwing keen glance
at DrummOnd.
The world is full OF such surprises
isn't lit" answered the girl lightly. 81