Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-02-26

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great American millionaire who has
recently settled in Loadon?'
Eyes, sir"
"Iohow her in at once. Wiseman,
you remain for time"
A few seconds later Mrs. Collins
Cox came quickly into the oaica and
the door closed after her. She was a
pleasant looking lady of twenty seven
or twenty-eight. Clearly she was
greatly excited about something.
Sir" she cried, coming forward
suddenly, GIVE lost my husband! He
has disappeared"
"Since when?" asked the Chief,
beckoning her to cheir.
"Since yesterday evening""
"Oh!" he said, smiling, 'T should
not worry about that, madam. No
doubt he will come back safely. Did
he not say he was going?"
"Oh, it's moi that, sir, that fright
ems me. 1t is this. which 1 received
little while ago." and she drew from
her hand bag small cardboard box
and dropped it upon the desk.
My chief took the box, opened it
and abstracted it's contents; letter
and small packet. Leaning over his
shoulder L read the words of the
former:
DEAR MApAM-Rest assured that your
husband is right and safe so long as you
don't attempt to find him. Ii you do you
will regret it, He desired me to send you
the enclosed check r10, ,0O0), which you are
to change and convey in cash to us after
our Instructions.
You will go to the bank, cash the check,
put the money in IL handbag, and tonight,
ats sharp, when 1t is dark you will go to
Cross street, Whitechapel, and put the bag
against the railing of No. II, exactly where
you find white cross on one of the flags.
You will 90 alone, and act secretly all
through. 1t is your husbands wish, for
the successful issue Of our plans means his
life. If the money falls into wrong hands
your husband will write us another check
which you will cash and bring to us. So
you will save yourself trouble by seeing it
doesn't and following our instructions.
When we have the money, your husband
will return.
Put the bag down on the white cross and
walk away quickly. You will be followed;
and II you don't walk away, or il you look
back or there is anyone spying about, you
will be widow within two hours. BE
careful, therefore. TO betray us is to be-
tray Yourself and Mr. CollinsCox. Mean
time, we enclose first instnllment of your
husband TO show we mean business.
CHARLES kIDNAppER AND Co.. LTD.
The Chief next took the small packet,
undid the paper, and suddenly re-
coilcl from it. 1t was human
finger, cut from the socket, and wear
ing plain gold serpent ring. took
mp the finger, and examined it very
carefully.
''Do you recognize this finger and
ring to be your husband's?" I asked.
"The ring, certainly, but I can't be
sure OF the finger. Mems fingers are
so much alike
"Hum! Do your remember what
er-yes, what finger Mr.. Cox wore
this ring upon?'
1.-The third finger of his left hand,
always"
"Then calm your fears, madam; q
million chances toone this is not your
husbands finger, since it is the sec
ond of some hand. OF course, it may
be genuine. But I don't think so.
Your husband has been kidnapped.
''Do you wish me to take mp this
matter?" asked, turning to my chief.
Tn nA1.In1 ,-,1 1 <,rno1 tf, Nro (tnv
''Go to the bank, cash the check, and
return home, where you will find me.
You must do this, because you are
probably being watched. Stop a bit,
though, madam. Have you the
check?"
eyes, it's here in my purse.
I took it from her, and crossed to
the window to examine ii. 1t was
made out, payable to Mrs. Cox, on a
sheet of ordinary paper. The
body was written out in one hand with
a steel pen, and the signature was in
another.
'Are you sure the signature is all
right?" asked of Mrs. Cox.
''As far as I know. it is" she
answered. "But | could not say for
certain. though attribute tine dis
similarity from his usual signature to
his being nervous when he wrote it,"
1T is dissimilar?"
eyes, my husband wrote a very firm
hand, and that is rather shaky"
well, madam, please do what l
tell you. Go to the bank, and meet
me at your house. Let me lend You
this black handbag. 1t will suit your
purpose.
With that I took up my hat and
went off. | walked down Carlton
House terrace to the Coxes' house.
To the footman who answered my
summons I said L wished to see Mr.
Cox's valet, aud in few moments this
lordly gentleman came to me with a
mixed manner of cordiality and con-
descension.
In short time Mrs. Cox returned.
81 guess l shall go mad before the
day is ont, Aaid she. as she came into
the room, followed by man carrying
my handbag.
"Oh. no. 7 said cheerfully. 81
want to see you alone" She dis.
missed the man, ana then sank into
chair
Yes I've got the money. after the
greatest difficulty" she said, answer.
ing my look. ''But have you discov.
cred anything?"
"Ies, two things" 1 replied. 81
want these things; A piece OF cream
note paper-get it from your cooks
steel pen, ink and specimen of you,
husbands signature. Please get these