The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-01-27
CHAPTER ~.
In Which Things Happen In Hall
Moon Street.
ONE

piece of paper he was studying and
rose to his feet as the doctor came
INTO the room. He then pushed a sill
yer box of cigarettes across the table
| and waited.
Your friend" said the doctor, sis
in very peculiar condition, Captain
Drummond-very peculiar. Can you
enlighten me at all as to what he has
been doing during the last few days?"
Drummond shook his head. Haven't
an earthly, Doctor"
There is, for instance, that very
unpleasant wound in his thumb" pur-
sued the other. "The top joint is
crushed to a pulp"
Il noticed that last night" answered
Hugh noncommittally. Looks as IL it
had been mixed UP between q ham,
mer and an anvil, don't itT
But have you no idea how 1t oc.
curred?"
I'm full Of Ideas" said the sol.
der "ln fact. IL it's any help to you
in your diagnosis that wound was
caused by the application of an I'M
pleasant medieval instrument known
as thumbscrew."
The worthy doctor looked at him In
amazement. "a thumbscrew! You
must be Joking, Captain Drummond."
Very far from it." answered Hugh
briefly. IF you want to know, 1t
was touch and go whether the other
thumb didn't share the same fate"
He blew out cloud OF smoke and
smiled inwardly as he noticed the look
of scandallzed horror on his .compan-
ions face. sit isn't his thumb that
concerns me-" he continued; "it's his
general condition. What's the matter
with himT'
The doctor pursed his lips and
looked wise, while Drummond won
dered that no one had ever passed a
law allowing men of his type to be
murdered on sight.
"fIis heart seems sound" he an
swered after weighty pause, land l
found nothing wrong with him con-
stitutionally. In fact, may say,
Captain Drummond, he Is In every
respect most healthy man. Except |
-er--except for this peculiar condl- |
tlon."
Drummond exploded. "Damnation
take 1t, man, what on earth do you |
suppose / asked you to come round |
for? It's of no interest to me to hear |
that his liver is working properly"
Then he controlled himself. 81 beg
your pardon, doctor; / had rather q
trying evening last night. Can you
give me any idea as TO what has /
caused this peculiar condition."
His companion accepted the apology
with an acid bow. "Some form of |
drug" he answered
Drummond heaved sigh of relief.
"Now we're getting on" he cried.
Have you any idea what drug?"
ut is, at the moment, hard to say"
returned the other. "In day or two,
perhaps might be able to--er-ar-
rive at some conclusion :"
(which. at present. you have not.
Right; now we know where we are.
AS you don't know what the drug u.s.
you don't know either how
ong 1t will take for the effect to wear
off,"
"That--er-is, within limits, cor
'ect," conceded the doctor.
"What about diet?"
"Oh! light. Not too much
neat. No alcohol >"
lie rose to his feet as Hugh opened
he door; really the war seemed to
AVE produced distressing effect on
,eople's manners. Diet was the one
question on which he always let him
elf go.
mot much meat--no alcohol. Right.
Sood morning, doctor. Down the
tairs and straight on. Good morn
n.y." The door closed behind him.
nd he descended to his waiting car
Nth cold dlsapproval on his face.
Excuse me, SIR" The doctor
aused and eyed a well-dressed man
gho had spoken to him uncompro- ,
,isingiy. "Am right in assuming
hat you are a doctor?"
'You are perfectly correct sir, In
our assumption" IT.