, 1924-04-02

Take my advice and leave It to
me-" Francis begged. 81 have a par
ticular pal down at Scotland Yard
who I know will be Interested, and l
want him to take up the case"
you haven't any theory. I sup
poser" Wilmore asked. a little visit
fully.
Francis shook his head.
mot the ghost of one." he admitted.
THE reason l am advising you to keep
as quiet as possible. though, is just
a disappearance, you have to satisfy
the public curiosity when the mystery
is solved"
81 see," Wilmore murmured. "All
the same, / can't imagine Reggie get
ting mixed up in anything discredit-
able"
Neither can I, from what I remem-
Der of the boy" Francis agreed. Let
me see. what was he doing In the
clty?'
HE was with Jameson & Scott.
stock brokers'" Wilmore replied. HE
was only learning the business and he
had NJ responsibilities. Curiously
enough. though. when I went to see
Mr.. Jameson he pointed out one or
two little matters that Reggie had at
tended to. which looked as though he
were clearing up, somehow OF other"
HE left no message there. I sup
poser"
mot n line or a word. He gave the
porter five s%hillings. though. on the
afternoon before he disappeared-a
man who has done some odd Jobs for
him.
well, a voluntary disappearance is
better than an involuntary one" Fran
els remarked. what was his usual
program when he left the officer"
"He either went to Queens and
played rncquets. or he went straight
to his gymnasium In the Holborn. l
~telephoned to Queens. He didn't call
there on the Wednesday night. any
how"
where's the gymnasium"
AT 147-A Holborn. A lot of city
young men go there late in the eve
ming. but Reggie got of earlier than
most Of them and used to have the
place pretty much to himself. l think
that's why he stuck to It,"
Francis made a note of the address.
"Tll get Shopland to step down
there some time" he said. "Or bet
ter still. finish your lunch and we'll
take a taxi there ourselves. I'm going
to the country later on. but I've half
nn-hour to snare. We can go without
our coffee and be there In ten min
utes."
"A great idea." wilmore ~acqulesced.
ITS probably the last place Reggie
visited. anyway"
However. inquiries ut the gymna-
stun were fruitless. the nag he
coming surly as soon as he learned the
reason of their visit. and showing them
the door In m abrupt manner.
At six o'clock that evening Francis
turned his two-seater into a winding
drive bordered with rho~dodendrons.
and pulled up before the porch of n
charming two-storied bungalow. COW
cred with creepers. and with French
windows opening from every room on
to the lawns. A man-servant who had
heard the approach of the car was nj.
rendy standing In the porch. Sir Tim
othy, in white fannels and a pnnnmn
hat, strolled across the lawn TO greet
his approaching guest.
"Excellently timed. my young friend"
he said. .You will have time for your
first cocktail before you change. NY
daughter you know. Of course. Lady
Cynthia Milton I think YOU also know"
Francis shook hands with the two
girls who were living under the cedar
tree. Margaret HlldItcb seemed TO
him more wonderf than ever in her
white serge boating clothes. LADY
Cynthia. who had apparently lust ar
rived from some function In town, was
still wearing muslin and n lnrg. hat.