The Opelousas courier., 1898-06-04

W. WHH'" "Isn't that til
great American millionaire who ha
recently settled in London??'
eyes, sir"
"Show her in at once. Wiseman
you remain for a time"
A few seconds later Mrs. Collins
Cox came quickly into the Office ant
the door closed after her. She was {
pleasant looking lady of twenty-sever
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,
reckoning her to a CHER.
"Since yesterday evening"
"Oh!" he said, smiling, II should
not worry about that, madam. No
doubt he will come back safely. Did
he not say he was going?"
"Oh, it's not that, sir, that fright
ems me. 1t is this, which I received
a little while ago." and she drew from
her handbag q small cardboard box
and dropped it upon the desk.
My chief took the box, opened it
and distracted its contents; O letter
and q small packet. Leaning over his
shoulder [ read the words of the
former:
DEAR MADAM-Rest assured that your
husband is right and safe SO long as you
don't attempt to find him. IT you do you
will regret it. He desired me to send YOU
the enclosed check (e1o, ooo), which you are
50 change and convey in cash to US after
eur instructions
You will go to the bank, cash the check.
put the money In n handbag, and tonight,
at8 sharp, when 1t is dark, you will 60 to
Cross street, Whitechapel, and put the bag
against the railing Of No. II, exactly where
you hnd a White cross on one Of the flags.
You will 60 alone, and act secretly ali
through. 1t is your husbands wish, for
the successful issue Of our plans means his
life. Ii 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 troutAe by seeing it
doesn't, md following curl 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 If you don't walk away, or If you look
back or there is anyone spying about, you
will be a widow within two hours. Be
careful, therefore. To betray us is to be-
tray yourself and Mr.. Collins.Cox. Mean
time, We enclose first installment OF your
husband to show we mean business.
CHARLES KIDEApPER N Co., LTD. |
The Chiefnext took the small packet, |
undid the paper, and suddenly re-
ooiled from it. It was a human
finger, cut from the socket, and wear
ing a plain gold serpent ring. I took
up the finger, and examined it very
carefully.
"Do you recognize this finger and
ring to be your h%usband's?" I asked.
"The ring, certainly, but I can't be
sure of the finger. Mems fingers are
sc much alike"
"Hum! Do your remember what
er-yes, what finger Mi. Cox wore
this ring upon?"
"The third finger Of his left hand,
always"
"Then calm your fears, madam; a
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 I don't think SO.
Your husband has been kidnapped.
do you wish me to take up this
matter?' I asked, turning to my chief.
He nodded, and I turned to Mrs. Cox.
$50 20 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
eyes, it's here in my purse"
l took it from her, and crossed to
the window to examine it. It was
made out, payable to Mrs. Cox, on q
sheet of ordinary note-paper. The
body was written out in one hand with
steel pen, and the signature was in
"Are you sure the signature is all J.
/ asked of Mrs. Cox. !
"As far as I know, it is" she :
answered. "But I could moi say for !
though I attribute In, dis
similarity from his usual signat ire to
ais being nervous when he wrote it,"
1T is dissimilar?" {
Eyes, my husband wrote a very firm .
land, and that is rather shaky." !
WE'LL. madam, please do what I !.
ell you. Go to the bank, and meet !
at your house. Let me lend you /,
his black handbag. It will suit your .
purpose" a
With that I took up my hat and c
vent off. / walked down Carlton
iouse terrace to the Coxes' house.
the footman who answered Inv v
ummons | said I wished ia see Mr.. !,
jox's valet, and in a few moments this t
.rdly gentleman came to me with q Il
nlxed manner of cordiality and con- n
n
In q short time. Mrs. Cox rsturned, c
Il guess I shall 60 mad before the t,
ay is out. 1aid she, as she came into
he room, followed by q mai carrying il
~ handbag. +,
"Oh. no." I said, cheerfully. RI b
ant to see you alone" She dis b
Kissed the man, and taen sank into il
chair.
YES, I've got the money, after the d
reatest difficulty" she said, answer e.
my look. "But have you discoy- Ct
red anything?" q
Yes, two things" ! replied. Il II
ant these things: A piece OF cream a.
ote paper-get it from your cook-a CT
eel pen. ink and q specimen of your
1sband's signature. Please get these 6,