The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-07-17
CHAPTER II-Continued


'Great Scott! hope not" cried
Hugh in alarm. phyllis gave me
complete Instructions about the brutes
before she toddled off make noise
like an ants egg, and drop them in
the sink every morning. No, old lad of
the village, it is something of vast
importe stain upon the escutcheon
of your force. Last night-let us
whisper it in Gath-I dined and fur
Their sGppe1 not wisely but too well.
In fact / deeply regret to admit that
became a trfie blotto-not to say
tanked. Of course it wouldn't have
happened if Phyllis had been propping
up the jolly old home, don't you know:
but she's away in the country with
the njght;ngales and slugs and
hours of the morning l thought I'd
totter along home. I'd been with some
birds. male birds, Tumkins" he
stared sternly at Sir Bryan. while Nc
liver stiffened into rigid horror at such
an Incredible Northumberland when l
left it was about a. m. Well.
wandered along through Leicester
square, and stopped just outside
Scott's to let one of those watering
carts water my head for me. While
was lying in the road, steaming at
the brow. motor car went past, and
it stopped in Piccadilly circus
McIver's air of irritation vanished
suddenly, and quick glance passed
between him and Sir Bryan.
Nothing much you observe in that,
Tumkins.'' he burhled on, quite uncon-
scious of the sudden attention of his
hearers. But wait, old lad-I haven't
got to the motto yet. From this car
there stepped large numbers of men !:
at least, so 1t seemed to me, and you
must remember I'd recently had a
shampoo And just as l got abreast
of them they lifted out another war;
,-rior. who appeared to me to be I'M
conscious. They put him on the pave
ment and got back into the car again
just as tottered alongside.
"'What no! SOULS l murmured.
what is this and that, so to speakY
hinged. old bean, badly hinged
said the driver of the car. We're
leaving him there to COOL
And with that the car drove off.
There was l, Tumkins, in a partially
hinged condition alone in Piccadilly
circus with bird in a completely
hinged condition.
How now,' l said to myself.
Shall go and induce yon water mer-
chant to return'-as a matter of fact
! was beginning to feel / could do
with another whack myself-'or shall
leave you here-as your pals OBJ.
served-to cooi?'
Il bent over him as pondered this
knotty point, and as did so, Tum-
,kins, became aware of a strange
SMELL
Hugh paused dramatically and Sc
lected another cigarette, while Sir
Bryan flashed a quick glance of warn
ing at McIver, who was obviously
bursting with suppressed excitement.
"a peculiar and sickly odor, Tum-
kins.' resumed the speaker with mad
dening elaboration. "a strange and
elusive perfume. For long while it
eluded me-that smell: 1 just couldn't
place it. And then suddenly l got it !:
right in the middle, old boy-plumb
in the center Of the windpipe. 1t was
chloroform: the bird wasn't drunk
he was doped."
Completely exhausted Hugh lay
back in his chair. and once again Sir
Bryan flashed warning glance at his
exasperated subordinate.
would you be able to recognize any
Of the men in the car If your saw them
again?" he asked quietly.
Il should know the driver" an
swered Hugh after profound thought.
And the bird beside him. But not
he Others"
''What did you do then?" asked Sir
Bryan.
swell, brought the brain to bear"
answered Hugh, land decided there
was nothing to do. He was doped
and was bottled-so by unanimous
wasting vote lof one-I toddled off
. lome But Tumkins. while was
feed ~ the goldfish this morning-or
AFTER after lunch-conscience was
snssing at my vitals. And after pro-
found meditation. and consulting with
my fellow Denny. | decided that the
call of duty was clear. / came to you.
rumkins. as child flies to its moth