The Democratic advocate., 1898-03-26
SeleGt Storp.
LOST: A MILLIONAIRE!
From London Tit-Bits.

From London 1lt-BllS
Mrs. Collins Cox Is In the waiting room
and desires to see you Immediately, sir.
said one of the men entering the rocm
where | was in conversation with the Chief
at Scotland Yard
COLLINS Cox, Collins Cox?'' repeated
the Chief. ''Isn't that the great Ameri-
can millionaire who has recently settled in
London p
Eyes, sir T"
''Show her in at once. Wiseman, you
remain for time.
\ few seconds later Mrs. Collins Cox
came quickly into the Office and the door
closed after her. She was Il pleasant
looking lady of twenty-seven OF twenty
eight Clearly she was greatly excited
about something.
Sir, she cried, coming forward sud
denly, ''Ive lost my husband He has
disappeared. -
''Since when p asked the Chief, beck
oning her to a chair.
''Since yesterday evening
:'Oh - he said, smiling, Il should
not worry about that, madam. No doubt
he will come back safely. Did he not say
he was going?''
''0h, it's not that, sir, that fightens
me- 1t is this, which [ received a 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
distracted its contents; letter and small
packet. Leaning over his shoulder | read
the words of the former
DEAR MADAM-Rest assured that your hus
band is right and safe so long as you don't
attempt to find him. If you do you will re-
gret it. He desired me to send you the en-
closed check (e10,0OO,) which you are to
change and convey in cash to us after our in
structiOns.
You will go to the bank, cash the check,
put the money in handbag, and tonight, at
sharp, when it is dark, you will 60 to Cross
street, Whitechapel, and put the bag against
the railing of No. II, exactly where you find
a white cross on one of the flags. You will
go 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 in
structions. 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 if you don't walk away, or if you look
back or there is anyone spying about, you
will be widow within two hours. Be care
full, therefore. To betray us is to betray
Yourself and Mr.. Collins Cox. Meantime,
we enclose first installment 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 recoiled
from it. 1t was human finger, cut from
the socket, and wearing plain gold ser
pent ring. | took up the finger, and ex~
amined it very carefully.
"Do you recognize this finger and ring
to be your husband S? p | asked
''The ring, certainly, but | can be
sure of the finger. Mems fingers are 80
much alike.
Hum Do you remember what
er-yes, what finger Mr.. Cox wore this
ring upon?'
The third finger of his left hand. al
ways.
Then calm your fears, madam; mil
lion chances to one this is not your hus-
bands finger since it is the second Of
some hand. OF course, it may be genuine.
But don think so. Your husband has
been kidnapped.
DO you wish me to take up this mat
ter?' asked, turning to my chief He
nodded, and | turned to Mrs Cox. 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 bit, though, madam
Have you the check p
Eyes, it's here in my purse -
took it from her, and crossed to the
window to examine it. 1t was made out,
payable to Mrs. Cox, on sheet of odina-
ry note-paper. The body was written out
in one hand with steel pen, and the sig
nature was in another
Are you sure the signature is all
right p asked of Mrs. Cox.
Gas far as l know, it is, she an
swered. ''But 1 could not say for certain,
though | attribnte the dissimilarity from
his usual signature to his being nervous
VIXEN he wrote it. -
1T is dissimlar p
Eyes, my husband wrote very firm
hand, and that is rather shaky.'
"Well, madam, please do what [ 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 | took up my hat and went
off walked down Carlton House terrace
to the COxes' house To the footman
who answered my summons said wished
to see Mr.. Cox s valet, and in few mo-
ments this lordly gentleman came to me
with mixed manner of cordiality and con-
GescensiOn.
In short time Mrs. Cox returned.
1 guess shall go mad before the day
is out, said she, as she came into the
room, followed by man carrying my
handbag.
"Oh, no." | said, cheerfully. 81
want to see you alone She dismissed
the man, and then sank into chair