The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-05-04

| Alr GCuney was not in the secret?
Thus tho detectives mind was racked
with argument during the day. He
speculated upon Mr.. Mitchol's connec-
ton with tho affair. He wondered why
the maid had retired so late that night.
Eo asked himself the meaning Of tho
buffers caution in his interview, and
tho object OF his casting a suspicion
upon MI. Mitchell. Lastly, he found 10
| difficult to decide exactly whether DR..
Donaldson and Mr.. Gcdncy had hccn
entirely honest with him. Did either or
both know moro than they had told or
tell more than the facts? Was the whole
sleep walking theory merely trick to
confuse him? He wished that he could
certainly eliminate Mr.. Mitchell as u
factor in the equation. Without him
| everything seemed clearer.
at 10 O'Clock on the following morn
| ing Mr. Gcdnoy presented himself and
handed Mr.. Barnes the following letter :
Saw your advertisement and answer at once.
l want SEoOVO. Lot mo emphasize the fact that
i Will not talIo less. You will wish to com
m"nicatc with mo. You cant catch mo with
docoy letters. Barnes IS helping you. know
that YOU see. He's keen devil, but so am l.
| Ono OF you DO 1T the public telephone in uoff
man House nt O'Clock on the stroke. ! will
call you up. WrCn yOu answer will say "NT
f." fou will recognize tho signal and do all
tho talking. Your detective shan't hear my
| voice. may ncod his valuable aid myself in
tho future. inclosn II piece of tho girls cloth
dress and lock OF her hair. NJ. E.
"Mr Gcdney," said Mr. Barnes, 81
suppose this bit of hair and scrap Of
cloth satisfy you that the scoundrel
really has your child?''
eyes. l am convinced of that. "
"Then l will recover her and without
ransom too. Mark that. Meet mo ut tho
Hoffman House at tho appointed hou,. I"
During the morning Mr. Barnes wrote
the following noto:
DR.. Donaldson:
DEAR SlR-The person who has tho child
wants largo ransom. / am determined TO ro-
cover her without payment of money. To fol
| low clcw that have it is important to know
the exact size of tho girl. AZ "A physician you
can guess this oven better than tho 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 at nothing to shield him
| self from arrest. Please answer by bcarcr
| Yours truly, j. BARSrs
This he sent by messenger and re-
ceived the following reply:
| hopo you will succeed. Elinora is small
and slim, being rather understood for her ago.
| j should say about foot 10 inches know OF
no distinctive mark whereby her body could
| ho recognized and hope that nothing of the
sort suggested VIII occur. Yours truly,
ROBERT DONALDSON.
AT 3 O'Clock Mr. Barnes and Mr.. Ged-
ncy met at tho Hoffman House. The de-
tecuve received permission to conduct
the conversation. The signal was receiv-
cd promptly and Mr.. Barnes thus a(,-
dressed "M. r. !" over the telephone:
"Wo will pay tho amount demanded
If tho girl Is restored unframed. Notify
us Immediately when and where the ex.
| change may be made. -
Leaving tho hotel, the detective said !:
''You must obtain $50, 600 in cash,
Mr. Gedncy. We ill need it, but if my
plans are successful shall lie able to re-
cover tho money as we'll as tho girl. Are
| you satisfied?'
1 nave perfect confidence in your
skill, Mr.. Barnes" was the reply.
On the next day the following letter
was received by Mr.. Gcdncy:
SO you accept my tcrms | ought to hayo
asked moro, but will deal squarcly and not
| raise you. Tho matter can be settled at onco.
| That you may bn sure your girl has suffered
| no nhTll, "Illcil i unucrSlunu Is thD condition
| or your acceptance, let your ambassador bo
| your friend, DR.. Donaldson. lie knows her and
| can judge of her physical condition. Lot him
! leave his house at midnight and drive up Mad.
| ison avenue slowly until hailed by the signal
| ON. IL. ." If he IL alone and no one is follow.
| ing him, ho will be stopped IL your detective
| tries any tricks, he will merely have his drive
| for nothing. will be I'm hiding with tho girl,
| and II you keep faith the transaction will oc.
| oupy but n moment. l will take tho cash and
/ al thn irl Rat I hall Ia, 4
| treachory Will mean death,
When Dr. Donaldson was approached
upon this subject, he otPorod many objec.
tionG, but was finally prevailed upon to
undertake tho delicate mission
Shortly after midnight Mr. Barnes
and MIR. Gedney wero awaiting tho re-
turn Of tho doctor when Mr.. Mitchell
was announced. Mr.. Barnes had invited
him to bo present, but was I'm doubt
whether he would accept or not. If ho
had the girl in his possession, 1t socmed
improbable, unless indeed DIR. Donald
son were in tho secret.
"Well, Mr.. Barnes" said Mr.. Mitch.
el after an exchange Of greetings, $50
you have unravclCd this casc?"
We'll, not entirely. There arc still a
few knotty skcins But wait awhile,
and you will SEQ whether / succeed or
fail"
1t was nearly o'clock when at last a
carriage stopped ut the house, and q
few minutes later thc doctor entered,
bearing Elinora in his arms
My daughterl" exclaimed the father
excitcdly. "Thank heaven, sho Is ro.
stored to mel'
eyes" said tho doctor, "shc is safe
enough, but think sho has been drug.
gcd. for she has slept ever since I re.
ceived her."
"Did you have any diffinulty2" asked
Mr.. Barnes, entering at tl.is moment.
He had fingered outside lopg cnongh tc
exchange a word with tho butler
"No trouble at all, " replied the doc
tor. 81 drove slowly as far ns Ono Hun
dred and Second street, whom hoard
the signal and drow up near tho curb.
a man came out Of tho shadow Of Q
building and asked If l had tho cash.
replied affirmativcly He went lack t
the doorway and returned with the gir
in his aEnls, but with pistol nnintAh al