The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-09-11
CHAPTER VIII
In Which Hugh Drummond
and the Reverend Theo-
dosius Longmoor Take
Lunch Together
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dosius Longmoor Take
Lunch Together
"Rot, Hugh!" Peter turned little
irritably from, his covert inspection Of
the Reverend Theodosius Longmoor.
you've got Peterson on the brain.
Why, that old bird is no more like
him than my boot"
Nevertheless, it's Peterson" an
swered Drummond doggedly. Its just
that one trick he can never shake off
that tapping with his left hand on
his knee-that made me spot him."
"Welle granted you're right" con-
coded Darrell grudgingly, what do we
do now, sergeant major?"
Il don't know, Peter. I've got to
think this out"
you're perfectly certain, HughT"
said Peter, who was still far from con-
WINGED.
absolutely, old man." answered
Drummond gravely. "The clergyman
over there is Carl Peterson, late of the
Films, Godalming. And the game has
begun again."
Darrell gave a short laugh as he
noted the CLEAN in his leaders eyes.
I'm thinking" he remarked soberly
-'that this time the game is going to
make us go all out"
$50 much the better" grinned Hugh
-'We'll add him to our collection,
Peter. and then we'll present the whole
bunch to the zoo. And, in the mean
time, he shall lunch with US when
Phyllis arrives. and prattle on theology
to an appreciative audience. Incl
dentally it will appeal to his sense of
humor: there's no difficulty about
recognizing us. Look out, he's COM
ing over"
They turned as the clergyman crossed
toward them.
"Jolly old tum-tum beginning to
shout for nourishment," said Hugh
with an affable smile as he Joined
h them. MY wife should be here at any
h moment now. Mr.-er-"
''Longmoor is my name," said the
3 clergyman. beamlng on them. ut is
very charming of you to take such COM
passion on lonely old man."
'Staying here all by yourself?"
asked Drummond politely.
"No; my daughter is with me. The
dear child has been my constant COM
panion ever since my beloved wife's
death some years ago. We have just
returned from a visit to the famine
stricken area" replied the clergyman.
Most interesting-but most terribly
sad You know don't think caught
your name."
"Drummond, Captain Drummond,"
answered Hugh mechanically. 'And
this is Mr.. Darrell. think have had
the pleasure of making your daugh-
ter's acquaintance already. She was
manufacturing wooden garments for
the Austrians down here, and / re-
trieved an elusive bali of wool for
her."
THAT is just my daughter all over,
Captain Drummond," beamed the Rev
erend Theodosius. Never wasting her
time, always doing something for the
good of humanity"
But at the moment it is to be re-
GREETED that Hugh was not worrying
his head over the good of humanity.
InconceivableI though it was, judged
on the mere matter Of appearance,
that the Reverend Theodosius was
Carl Peterson, it was still more incon-
ceivable that the wool knitter could be
Irma. OF course Peterson might have
changed his daughter-but if he hadn't,
what then? What had he said to Peter
Darrell when the girl, recognizing him
all the time, was sitting in the next
chair? How much had she overheard?
And suddenly Hugh began to feel that
he was fioundering in deep water.
He glanced at his watch and turned
to Darrell.
"Confound the girl, Peter! She's
nearly forty minutes late"
''Picked up pal, old boy" answered
that worthy. picked up pal and
they're masticating a Bath bun some
where. Why not leave message at
the door, and let's go on with it? I'm
earned hungry. t,t
The Reverend Theodosius beamed
from behind his spectacles.
"'Tis ever the same' he murmured
gently. But it is the prerogative of
their SEX"
We'll let's toddie in and take nour-
ishment," said Hugh, taking hold of
the elergyman's arm with his hand and
pushing him toward the restaurant.
''By the way. what about the daugh-
ter? Isn't she going to honor us?"
''Not today" answered the Reverend
Theodpsius. "She is lunching upstairs
with the poor fellow / told yoa ABOUT.
whose Office was wrecked last night
He Is sadly in need Of comfort. I'M
derstand that the police are satisfied
that three scoundrels were involved