Middletown transcript., 1921-07-09

and luck with marked man cannot
be tempted too far.
Alone and practically unguarded he
had challenged gang Of international
criminals; a gang not only utterly un-
scrupulous, but controlled by a mas
ter mind. Of It's power as yet he had
no clear idea of it's size and imme-
diate object he had even less. Per.
haps it was as well. Had he realized
even dimly the immensity Of the is
sues he was up against, had he had
but an inkling Of the magnitude of
the plot conceived in the sinister brain
of his host of the previous evening,
then. CHEEKY optimist though he was.
even Hugh Drummond might have
wavered. But he had no such inkling,
and so the CLEAN in his eyes was but
transitory, the chuckle that succeeded
it more whole-hearted than before.
Was it not sport in a land flowing
with strikes and profiteers; sport such
as his soul loved?
II am afraid, Mullings," he said
as his car stopped in front of his
club, ''that the kindly gentleman with
whom we spent last night has re-
pudiated his obligations. He refuses
to meet the bill 1 gave him for your
services. Just wait here moment" !"
He went inside, returning in few
moments with folded check.
Round the corner, Mullings, and
an obliging fellah in black coat will
shovel you out the necessary Brad
| burys."
The man glanced at the check.
Fifty pounds, sir" he gasped.
"Why-it's too much, sir.
'The laborer, Mullings, is worthy
of his hire. You have been Of the
very greatest assistance to me; and
incidentally, 1t is more than likely that
1 may want you again. Now, where
can l get hold Of you?"
"13 Green Street, 'Oxton, sir, III al
ways find me. And any time, sir, as
you wants me, I'd like to come just
for the sport of the thing"
Hugh grinned.
"Good lad. And it may be sooner
than you think"
TWO.
Inside the Junior Sports club, Hugh
Drummond was burying his nose in a
large tahkard of the ale for which
that CHEEKY pct-house was still fam
GUS. A waiter was arranging the
first editions of the evening papers
On a table, and Hugh beckoned to
him to bring one. Cricket, racing, the
latest divorce case, and the latest
strike-all the usual headings were
there. And he was just putting down
the paper, to again concentrate on his
problem, when paragraph caught
his eye.
"STRANGE MURDER IN BELFAST
'The man whose body was discov-
cred in such peculiar circumstances
near the docks has been identified as
Mr.. James Granger, the confidential
secretary to Mr.. Hiram Potts, the
American multi-millionaire, at present
in this country. The unfortunate
victim of this dastardly outrage-his
head, as we reported in our last
nights issue, was nearly severed from
his body-had apparently been sent
over on business by Mr. Potts, and
had arrived the preceding day. What
he was doing in the locality in which
he was found is mystery.
"We understand that Mr.. Potts, who
has recently been indisposed, has re-
turned to the Carlton, and is greatly
upset at the sudden tragedy.
"The police are confident that they
will shortly obtain clue, though the
rough element in the locality where
the murder was committed presents
great difficulties. 1t seems clear that
the motive was robbery, as all the
murdered mans pockets were rifed.
But the most peculiar thing about the
case is the extraordinary care taken by
the murderer to prevent the identifi-
cation of the body. Every article of
clothing. even down to the murdered
mans socks, had had the name torn
out, and it was only through the GRIM
inal overlooking the tailor's tab inside
the inner breast-pocket Of Mr.. Grang-
ers coat that the police. were enabled
to identify the body"
Drummond slid down the paper on
his knees, and stared a little dazedly
at the clubs immortal founder.
"Holy smoke! laddie," he mur-
INJURED, chat man Peterson ought to
be on the committee here. Verify,
believe, he could galvanize the staff
into some semblance Of activity"
did you order anything, sir?" A
waiter paused beside him.
no. murmured Drummond "but
I will rectify the omission. Another
large tankard of ale.'
The waiter departed, and Hugh
picked up the paper again.
"We' understand" he murmured
gently to himself. 'that Mr.. Potts,
who has recently been indisposed, has
returned to the Carlton.
Now that's very interesting. -
He lit cigarette and lay back in
his chair. II was under the impress
sion that Mr.. Potts was safely tucked
up in bed consuming semolina pud-
ding, at Goring. It requires elucida-
ton"
Il beg your pardon, sir" remarked
the waiter, placing the beer on the
table beside him.
"You needn't" returned Hugh. Cup
to date you have justified my fondest
expectations. And as further proof