The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-04-04


myself this afternoon
''Take my advice and leave 1t to
me-" Francis begged. II have par
ticular pal down at Scotland Yard
who l know will be interested, and !
want him to take up the case"
"You haven't any theory, / sup
poser" Wilmore asked, little visit
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 lot of interest in
disappearance, you have to satisfy
the public curiosity when the mystery
is solved"
II see," Wilmore murmured. "All
the same, / can't imagine Reggie get
ting mixed up in anything discredit-
able"
Neither can l, from what I remem-
Der Of the boy" Francis agreed. "Let
me see what was he doing in the
city?"
HE was with Jameson & Scott,
stock brokers'" Wilmore 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 to, which looked as though he
were clearing up, somehow or other"
HE left no message there, sup
poser" H.
''Not line or word. He gave the
porter five shillings, though, on the
afternoon before he Disappeared
man who has done some odd jobs for
him."
swell, 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 Holborn. /
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 off earlier than
most of them and used to. have the
place pretty much to himself. I think
that's why he stuck to it."
Francis made note of the address.
"I'll get Shopland to step down
there some time" he said. "Or bet
ter still, finish your lunch and we'll
take taxi there ourselves. I'm going
to the country later on, but I've half
an-hour to spare. We can go without
our coffee and be there in ten min
utes."
"A great idea" Wilmore sacquiesced.
"It's probably the last place Reggie
visited, anyway"
However. inquiries at the gymna-t
stun were fruitless, the manager. be-
coming surly as soon as he learned the
reason of their visit, and showing them
the door in an abrupt manner.
At six o'clock that evening Francis
turned his two-seater into winding
drive bordered with rhododendrons,
and pulled up before the porch Of
charming two-storied bungalow. COW
cred with creepers, and with French
windows opening from every room on
to the lawns. A man-servants who had
heard the approach Of the car was al
ready standing in the porch. Sir Tim
othy, In white f1annels and panama
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 My
daughter you know, Of course. Lady
Cynthia Milton think you also know"
Francis shook hands with the two
girls who were lying under the cedar
tree. Margaret Hilditch seemed to
him more wonderful than ever in her
white serge boating clothes. Lady
Cynthia, who had apparently just ar
rived from some function in town. was
still wearing muslin and large hat.
II am always afraid that Mr.. Led
sam will have forgotten me-" she OBJ
served, as she gave. him her hand.
1.-THE last time I met you was at the
Old Bailey, when you had been cheat
ing the gallows Of very respectable
wife murderer. Poynings. think his
name was.''
II remember 1t perfectly" Francis
assented. "We danced together that
night, I remember, at your aunt's. Mrs.
Malcolm's. and you were intensely Gu
rious to know how Poynings had spent
his evening""
& Lady Cynthia's reminder Is perhaps
a little unfortunate" Sir Timothy OBJ
served. "Mr. Ledsam is no longer the
last hope of the enterprising criminal.
He has turned over a new leaf To
secure the services of his silver tongue,
you have to lay at his feet no longer
the bags Of gold from your ill-gotten
gains but the white flower of the
blameless life"
'4This is all In the worst possible