Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1898-04-06

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great American millionaire who has
recently settled in London?"
eyes, sir"
s'Show her in at once. Wiseman,
you remain for time"
A few seconds later Mrs. Collins
Cox came quickly into the office and
the door closed after her. She las q
pleasant looking lady of twenty-seven
or ty-eight. Clearly she was
greatly excited about something.
Sir" she cried, coming forward
suddenly, "I'-e 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?"
ooh, it's moi that, sir, that fright
ems me. 1t is this, which I received
o little while ago." and she drew from
her handbag small cardboard box
and dropped it upon the desk.
Ny chief took the box, opened it
and distracted its contents; letter
and small packet. Leaning over his
shoulder T read tie words of the
former:
DEAR MADAM-Rcst assured that your
husband is right and safc so long rs you
don't attempt to find him. If you do you
will regret it. HcIlcsired me to send you
the enclosed check (e10, ,OO0), which you are
to cnange 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,
ntS 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 go alone, aud net secretly all
through. 1t Is your husbands wish, for
: the successful issue of our plans means his
life. II tho 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 If 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 installment of your
husband to show we mean business.
CHARLES KIDNAPpER AND Co., LTD.
The Chiefnez took the small packet,
undid tho paper, and suddenly re-
ooiled from it. 1t was human
finger, cut from the socket, aud wear
ing plain gold serpent ring. I took
up the finger, and examined it very
carefully.
"Do you recognize this finger aud
ring to be your husband's?" l 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?'
"The third finger of his left hand,
always"
''Then calm your fears, madam; q
million chances to one this is not your
husbands finger, since it is the sec
ond of some hand. OF course, it may
be genuine. But don't think SO.
Your husband has been kidnapped.
''Do you wish me to take up this
matter?" Iasked, turning to my chief.
He nodded, and I 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, madaml Have you the
check?"
Eyes, it's here in my purse.
I took it from her, and crossed to
the window to examine it. 1t was
made out, payable to Mrs. Cox, on a
sheet of ordinary note-paper. The
body was written out in one hand with
q steel pei, and the signature was in
another.
care you sure the signature is all
right?" 1 asked of Mrs. Cox.
Gas far as I know, it s." she
answered. "But I could not say for
certain, though 1 attribute the dis
similarity from his usual signature to
his being nervous when he wrote it. v
''It is dissimilar?"
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 I took up my hat and
went off. I walked down Carlton
House terrace to the Coxes' house.
To the footman who answered my
summons I Sid I wished to see Mr..
Cox's valet, and in few moments this
lordly gentleman came to me with q
mixed manner of cordiality and con-
descension.
In short time Mrs. Cox returned.
'I guess L shall go mad before the
day is out, said she, as she came into
the room, followed by u man carrying
my handbag.
"Oh, no." I said, cheerfully. 81
want to see you alone. F" She dis
missed the man, end then sank into
q chair.
Eyes, I've got the money, after the
greatest difficulty" she said, answer
ing my look. ''But have you dlscov-
cred anything?"
eyes, two things" I replied. 'T
want these things; A piece Of cream
note papes~ges il from your eook~ra
steel psa, !aE had q spse!laaa O. sear
aHsbsaa's signature, PiesSs grt sksaa