It was one of those days again.
      It had happened every time the Hermits spent a few days in New York City. And, it was happening again.
      Pete Noone was missing.
      And, decided his agents and managers, it was high time someone found out just exactly what Herman was up to (again).
      "Okay you guys," they said to the Hermits. "He's at it again. Where is he, or else?"
      "We'll never tell," smirked Lek, Barry, Karl and Keith.
      "Ahah," thought the aforementioned agents and managers. "So that's it. Herman has himself a girl."
      Like, that explained everything. Well, at least it explained his mysterious disappearances.
      The next order of the day was to find out exactly who the bird was. And good luck on that one.
      After getting nowhere fast, they decided to drop by Herman's fan club headquarters in New York. The fan club always knew what was happening with Herm. And they'd be only too willing to divulge said information (or else).
      "Okay you guys," said the aforementioned (oh, you know), upon arriving at 200 W. 57th Street, Room 306, to be exact. "We know Pete has himself a girlfriend, which explains his mysterious disappearances, and now we'd like to know the name of the bird who is occuplying so much of his time when we need him for photo sessions and press conferences." They then paused for a much-needed breath. "Or else," they added.
      For a moment, it appeared as though they were going to get another smirk for an answer. Then it happened.
      "Her name is Karen North from Boston," said a wee voice from the nearby mail room. "And Barb Everson from Los Angeles, and Terri Smith from Detroit, and . . ."
      The agents and managers flipped. Why that wee voice could belong to only one person. And leaping into the aforementioned mail room, they found the lost Mr. Noone. Up to his very eyebrows in mail!
      "Hullo there," said Herman, falling into a vat of letters to his left.
      And, as the sparkling conversation continued, they discovered that this is where Herman always hides out during his visits to New York. And his accomplice in said disappearances (mysterious) wasn't just one bird. It was a whole flock of them! All the fans who have written him since his last visit, for instance.
      It was further discovered that Herman often forwards the letters he received in England, sending them on to his club headquarters in New York so he'll have even more letters to open and answer when he arrives in town.
      The solution to this mystery leads us to believe two things. One - Herman has to be the world's greatest "idol". Two - the fan club headquarters has to be the world's greatest place to write Herman because that way you KNOW he'll receive and read your letters!
      So will the other Hermits, because in a few moments later they leaped into the mail room too, armed with letter openers!
      In case you've forgotten (hah!) that address is 200 W. 57th St. (Room 306, to be exact), New York, N.Y. 10019. And in case you've forgotten (double hah!!) Herman and Hermits will be back in that mail room in July, when they return to the States.
      Shall we literally snow them under with letters or shall we literally snow them under with letters?
      Silly question.