Belt Valley times., 1924-03-20

me-" Francis begged. Il have par
ticular pal down at Scotland Yard
who know will be interested, and
want him TO take up the case"
"You haven't any theory. / sup
poser" wIlmore asked. a little wist-
fully.
Francis shook his head.
"Not the ghost Of one" he admitted.
''The reason / am advising you TO keep
as quiet as possible. though. is just
this. If you create a lot Of interest In
a disappearance. you have TO satisfy
the public curiosity when the mystery
is solved"
Il see" Wilmore murmured. "All
the same, I can't imagine Reggie get
ting mixed up in anything dIscredit-
able" =
"Neither can ], from whatrI remem-
ber of the boy" Francis agreed Let
me see. what was he doing in the
city?"
"He was with Jameson & Scott.
stock brokers'" wiImore replied. "He
was only learning the business and he
had no responsibilities. Curlously
enough, though, when went to see
Mr.. Jameson he pointed out one or
two little matters that Reggie had at
tended 10, which looked as though he
were clearing up. somehow or other"
HE left no message there, 4 sup
poser
"Not a line or a word He gave the
porter five shiIlings. though. on the
afternoon before he disappeared
man who has done some odd jobs for
him."
"WeIl. 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 racquets, or he went straight
to his gymnasium in the H0tborn.
telephoned to Queens. He didn't call
there on the Wednesday night, any
how"
Where's the gymnasium"
9"At 147-A HolbOrn. A lot Of city
young men go there late in the eve
ming. but Reggie got or earlier than
most Of them and used TO have the
place pretty much to himself. / think
that's why he stuck to It."
Francis made note Of the address.
'Tll get Shopland to step down
there some time" he said. "0r bet
Ter STILL finish your lunch and we'll
take a taxi there ourselves. I'm going
10 the country later on, but I've half
in-hour to spare. We can go without
,ur coffee and be there in ten min
ltes."
"A great idea," WiImore acqulesced.
It's probably the last place Reggie
Tisited, anyway"
However. Inquiries at the gymna-
iium were fruitless. the manager be- I
coming surly as soon as he learned the
eason OF their visit, and showing them
he door In an abrupt manner.
At six o'clock that evening Francis
urned his two-seater into winding
rive bordered with rhododendrons,
nd pulled up before the porch Of a
harming two-storied bungalow. COW
red with creepers. and with French
opening from every room on
D the lawns. A man-servant who had
card the approach Of the car was al
eady standing In the porch. Sir Tim
thy, in white fiannels and a panama
at, strolIed across the lawn to greet
is approaching guest.
''Excellently timed. my young friend
e said. 'You will have time for your
rst cocktail before you change. My
aughter you know, Of course. Lady
ynthia Milton think you also know"
Francis shook hands with the two
iris who were lying under the cedar
ZEE. Margaret HiIdltch seemed to
Inn more wonderful than ever in her
hite serge boating clothes. Lady
ynthia. who had apparently just ar
we'd from some function In town, was
III wearing muslin and large hat.
Il am always afraid that Mr. Led
i'm will have forgotten me-" she -ab-
rived, as she gave him her hand.
The last time / met you was al the
ID Bailey, when you had been cheat
z the gallows OF a very respectable
Ife murderer. Poynings, think his
lme was"
II remember IL perfectly" Francis !
scented. eve danced together that !
ght, remember. at your aunt's. Mrs. !
alcolm's. and you were intensely Gu
BUS to know how Poynings had spent I
s evening" I
Lady Cynthla's reminder Is perhaps
little unfortunate" Sir Timothy OBJ
rved. mfr. Ledsam Is no longer the {
" hope Of the enterprising criminal {
} has turned over new leaf. To
cure the services Of his silver tongue. 4
a have TO lay at his feet no longer &
E bags Of gold from your ill=goften c
ms but the white flower OF the a
smeIeRs life" n
This is all In the worst possible d
Ife,~ Margaret HIldItch declared. IN b
Z cold. expressionIess tone. you n
ght consider my feelIngs- p
LADY Cynthia only laughed
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