The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-05-06
ASINCULAR ABDUCTION .
By R0DRIGUES OTTOLENGUI.
Copyright. 1890, by tho Author.]

tha; assistance were possible until I met
my friend Leroy Mitchell. You know
him?' Mr. Barnes assentod, with a
smile, and tho old man continued, "He
told mo tl.at you could surely aid me- "
81 will certainly do all that is in my
power to serve friend of Mr.. Mitch
ops" said tho detective.
"You arc very kind. My last hope is
dependent upon your success. But let
mo tell you tho story. 1 am Richard
Gedncy, the broker. Perhaps you havo
hoard the name" Mr.. Barnes nodded.
81 thought SO. Old Dick they call mo
on the street, and sometimes Old Nick,
but that is only their littlc ioko when
tho market goes against them. | do not
think that they really dislike Inc, though
l havo mado my fortune. l have never
cheated any ono nor bccn hard on u
friend during all my career. But that
IS lmmatcrial, except that it makes it
hard to understand how any one could
have done mo so great an injury as to
steal my daughter"
Steal your daughtcrl" intcrruptcd
Mr.. Barnes. "Abduction?'
Abduction, [ suppose, is your tech
tako girl Of II away from her fathers
home is stealing, no moro, no less. "
'When did this occur?"
'Two days ago. Tuesday morning we
missed her, though she may havo been
taken during the night. She was slight.
ly sick on Monday evening, and her
maid sent for the doctor, who ordered
her to be put to bed and kept there.
When he called again Oh Tuesday morn
ing, ho went to my little girls room
and was astonishcd to sec that she was
not thcro. A search was instituted un-
der the supposition that, III tho absence
or her maid, she might havo wandered to
somo other part Of the house. But tho
child could not bo found. 1t almost
seemed as though she had vanished
Had you seon hor yourself that
morning?"
II cannot too much condemn myself.
You sec am an old whist player, and
tho temptation to play made me linger
SO late with some friends on Monday
night that preferred to remain in New
ark, where I was, and SO did not reach
homo until after 10 o'clock on Tuesday
morning. BY that timo the misfortune
had occurrcd''
"Have you discovered no Glow to her
whercabOuts?'
None. We have sent to all of our
friends in the vain hope that she might
have risen carly and gone out, but no
ono has seen her She has disappeared
as thoroughly as though sho had bcon
swallowed by IN earthquake. Here,
however, is letter which reached me
this morning. | cannot decide whether
1t is important or merely a cruel joke
porpctratcd by some crank who has
hoard Of my misfortune. -
He handed the letter to Mr.. Barnes,
who read as follows:
Your daughter is safr if you arc sensible
If you want her back, hil for her. Mako your
o1fCr high enough, and she II be with YOU.
VIII nnswor II you put personal in The Hor'
aid addressed to an. E."
Mr.. Gedney,' said Mr.. Barnes,
"this is serious affair, but if this let
ter is gonuinc-as think it to bc---wo
can recover tho girl, though we may
have to pay ransom. That depends on
whether we aro shrGwdcr than the pcr.
potrator Of this crime, and he is no fool.
Thus far he has proceeded with consum-
mato skill"
"You say he. You think it is q man?"
"Not SO FAST Mr.. Godncy 1 cannot
judge tho sex yet. This letter is written
on n typewriter, and tho majority Of
operators are women. But wo shall sco
Other details must be gathered and
studied. will follow this mp personal
ly. Como We will beg in work at once !"
They proceeded first to Herald square
and left tho following to bo inserted in
tho next days Herald:
an. E."-Communc;itc O at once, stating low.
est terms. GEDSEY.
Thence they went to Mr.. Gcdncy'a
house. Seating himself in a comfortable
chair in tho library, Mr.. Barnes asked
that the butler should be summoned.
Tho man entered tho room. and it was
apparent at once from his dcferontial
manner and attitude that he was good
servant of tho English type. At tho
same timo ho eyed tho stranger kconly,
and throughout tho interview answered
with q delbcratcness which showed
that he weighed his words and would
bo very careful not to say ANYTHING
which might be used against him, q
phrase better known than understood.
In short, whether or not ho had any
thing to conceal, tho butler was cautious
because speaking to a detective
"Moulton, began Mr.. Barnes, IT am
q detective"
SO thought, sir" answered Moul-
ton.
"And why, pray. did you think so?"
"Wcll, sir, should say wo need one,
and you're Il stranger to mo, sir. / know
oil my masters friends.
'"That is your only reason for suspect
ing my profcsson2'
'That's all, sir -
"Moulton. l am going to find out
whoro your mistress has been taken" "
Mr.. Barnes said this suddenly and
watched the man closely. Moulton
seemed impassivo, and his reply was
noncOmmittal.
81 hopo so, sir. "
every WE'LL" said tho detective.