Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-11-21


he said something about alligators.
Then he closed up and said moth
ing"
Chalmers examined the other state
ments. They we're bills of various
kinds-for stocks of canned goods,
smoked meats, condensed milk and
the multitudinous articles which
would be used by well equipped
camping party. They were dated
between the 25th and goth of April,
and were rendered on the first of the
month. 1t was late in the afternoon
when he was through with this work.
About IL o'clock that night Chal-
mers received telegram from Mr..
Bernard Seymour dated from Chi
cago. Mr.. Seymour had been detailed
by Jack Stevens to hunt up the Chi
cago record of J.. Sylvester Vincent.
Seymour was first heard of in the
following bulletin, filed in Chicago
at eight o'clock that night.
Chicago. May 8.
To William Chalmers, Managing Editor
the New York Record:
L. Sylvester Vincent Is the kidnapper
He formed plan in Chicago two months
ago. Has been seen in conference with
Joseph Reiterman and other big stock
operators. Was probably backed by
them to abduct Rockwell. Carmody,
Kent. Pence. Haven and Morton. Vim
cent is plausible but desperate charac-
ter. Have big story. Can send 10000
words. How much do you want?
BERNARD SEYMOUR.
Chalmers wired the impetuous
Seymour to send nothing except a
brief statement of the facts he had
learned; not for publication, but for
the private information of Mr.. Ste
vens and himself. Chalmers then
wired Stevens to put his men at work
at Provincetown, and return to New
York at once. He received tele-
phone message from Miss Carmody
asking him to call at her residence
if convenient, and in Is minutes an
automobile landed him at the Car
mody mansion.
He found Miss Carmody with Miss
Edith lie Roy, Miss De Melville and
Mrs. Isabel White, the latter being
the widowed aunt of Miss Carmody,
and most charming chapcrone to
that young lady. Mr.. Chalmers was
acquainted with all the ladies' ex-
cept Mrs. White. All were eager
for the latest news. Mr.. Chalmers
repeated Mr.. Van Horne's instruc-
tions about the reward, and dis
played copy of the headlines and
tho ,.fsn1
day. He told what had been done in
the way of forming detective staff.
eve now have 40 men detailed cx-
clusiyely to this work." he said,
"Ten are with Mr.. Stevens at Prov
incetown and others are at various
points selected by Mr.. Stevens and
myself. l know you ladies will ex-
cusc me if l ask for few minutes
private conversation with Miss Car
mody. We must all do what we can
to advance her interests. and this is
matter in which she is especially
concerned, and no precautions can
be omitted"
Certainly we will excuse you," said
Mrs. White.
"Why, of course" said Miss LIE Roy
and Miss Dc Neuvillc. But these
young ladies were devoured of curl
osity and would have given anything
quietly to have stepped into the adj
Joining room and overheard the sub.
dued conversation between Miss Car.
mody and the managing editor.
Chalmers briefly recited the story
of L. Sylvester Vincent and told OF
the telegram he had received from
Seymour at Chicago.
"This is q clew we'll worth follow
ing" said Mr.. Chalmers. 81 do not sup
pose you have ever heard your faith
er speak about a man named Vim
cent?"
Miss Carmody was sure that her,
iather had never mentioned the
name. 1t was an odd one and she
would have remembered it.
"Did Mr.. Vincent ever call here?
Your butler or footman might know"
Miss Carmody rang bell. A SER
want appeared.
''Tell Smith I wish to see him."
said Miss Carmody.
do you keep the cards of all who
call on Mr.. Carmody?" asked Miss
Carmody as the butler stood in the
doorway.
"Yes, Miss Elem"
Bring me the cards which have
been received in the past three or
four weeks
The butler bowed, disappeared, and
soon returned with a formidable as
sortment of cards. These were
spread out on the table, and Miss
Carnody and Mr.. Chalmers began an
examination of them.
This is new game of cards, Miss
Carmody," said Chalmers, glancing
at his lovely companion. 'rhe one
who finds the right name wins"
II win!" said Miss Helen, her eyes
flashing with excitement. "Here !,
isl"
She passed neatly engraved caro-
to Mr.. Chalmers. That gentleman
took it and read;
i