Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1897-04-15

nosis was somnambulism. Mr.. Mitchell
had called at the house unusually late
for social visit Did he find the child
wandering about the street and not rec
ognize her until he had taken her to his
own home, which was only few blocks
away? Was that why he had called at
Geduey's house so late? The anony-
nous letter was signed I'M. E." At
first glance it seemed like rather poor
effort at joke, the letters spelling
me" But they were capitals. Did
the an" indicate "Mitchel" and the
"E" "Elinora?" Was this another little
plot Of Mr.. Mitchel's to test Mr.. Barnes
skill?
There was one vital objection to this
line Of reasoning. Why would Mr.. Mitch.
el permit his friend to suffer so much
anxiety merely to crafty a whim,
hobby Of outwitting detective? Such
an act would be an outrage on friendship.
But then was it absolutely assured that
Mr.. Gedney was not in the secret?
Thus the detectives mind was racked
with argument during the day. He
speculated upon Mr.. Mitchel's connec-
tion with the affair. He wondered why
the maid had retired so late that night.
He asked himself the meaning of the
butler's caution in his interview, and
the object Of his casting o suspicion
upon Mr.. Mitchell. Lastly, he found ii
difficult to decide exactly whether DR..
Donaldson and Mr.. Gedney had been
entirely honest with him. Did either or
both know more than they had told or
tell more than the facts? Was the whole
sleep walking theory merely trick to
confuse him? lie wished that he could
certainly eliminate Mr.. Mitchell as O
factor in the equation. Without him
everything seemed clearer.
At 10 o'clock on the following morn
ing Mr.. Gedney presented himself and
handed Mr.. Barnes the following letter
Saw your advertisement and answer at once
want $4,000. Let me emphasize the fact that
l will not take less. You will wish to COM
municato with me. You can't catch me with
decoy letters. Barnes is helping you. know
that, you see. He's keen devil, but so am I.
One Of you DO at the public telephone in Hoff-
man House at o'clock on the stroke. will
call you up. When you answer, will say "M.
E." You will recognize the signal and do all
the talking. Your detective shan't hear my
voice. may need his valuable aid myself in
the future. inclose piece of the girls cloth
dress and lock of her hair. M. E.
"Mr. Gedney," said Mr. Barnes, II
suppose this bit of hair and scrap of
cloth satisfy you that the scoundrel
really has your child?"
"Yes. I am convinced of that"
"Then will recover her and without
ransom too. Mark that. Meet me at the
Hoffman House at the appointed hour.
During the morning Mr.. Barnes wrote
the following note:
DR.. Donaldson:
DEAR SIR-The person who has the child
wants large ransom. / am determined to re-
cover her without payment of money. To fol-
low q clew that have it is important to know
the exact size of the girl. As physician you
can guess this even better than the father also
inform me Of any popularity or mark known
to you by which could recognize her alive or
dead. ! say dead because the party at present
suspected would stop ut nothing to shield him
SELF from arrest. Please answer by bearer.
Yours truly, J. BARNES.
This he sent by messenger and re-
ceived the following reply:
/ hope you will succeed. Elinora is small
and slim, being rather undersized for her age,
should say about feet 10 inches. know of
no distinctive mark whereby her body could
be recognized and hope that nothing of the
sort suggested will occur. Yours truly,
ROBERT DONALDSON.
At Q O'Clock Mr.. Barnes and Mr.. Ged-
ney met at the Hoffman House. The de-
tective received permission to conduct
the conversation. The signal was reoeiv-
ed promptly. and Mr.. Barnes thus ad.
dressed I'M. E." over the telephone:
) "We will pay the amount demanded
if the girl is restored unharmed. Notify
us Immediately when and where the ex.
change may be made"
Leaving the hotel, the detective said !:
"You must obtain $40, 900 in cash,
Mr.. Gedney. We will need it, but if my
plans are successful shall be able to re-
cover the money as well as the girl. Are
you satisfedr
II have perfect confidence in your
skill, Mr.. Barnes" was the reply.
On the next day the following letter
was received by Mr.. Gedney:
So you accept my terms. ought to have |
asked more, but will deal squarely and not |
raise you. The matter can be settled at once. |
That you may be sure your girl Sas suffered |
no harm, which understand is tie condition |
of your acceptance, let your ambassador be |
your friend, DR.. Donaldson. He knows her and |
can Judge Of her physical condition. Let him |
leave his house at midnight and drive up Mad.
ison avenue SLOWLY until hailed by the sienal