Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-08-01
THE STORY OF YHE
MISSING SUlY GASE

petweeh the corporation ana the MISSING
sult case. Another subordinate said h
mad discovered some men who wore lon,
striped ulsters. and others who had on re,
cravats, but was unable to find any on
with both ulsters and cravats answerln,
that description.
Almost absurd to send these men out,
said Barnes to Lane as he dismissed tn,
detectives You might as we'll tell ZEN
TO go ma the missing link. But some PEG
PIE expect us to operate in that way. IT.:
Just a tribute we pay to the traditions oil
the profession
But the motke.' said the young diolo-
mat curiously, the motive must court
Assuredly. Get the motive-if you can
IN your case 1t seems ~self-evident. Mind
you. | don't say 1t is; but it seems self
evident. This corporation. which has ?elt
the weight of your official hand, desires
10 get even with you. OF course. they
nave shrewd representatives in the Flora
islands, through whom they are informed
of the date of your sailing, the steamer
you TOOK and the fact that your valuable
documentary evidence was in your suit
case. Through your gross carelessness the
suit case Is stolen. Now, assuming that
some one employed by the Consolidated
Socoanut company got the valuable bit
vi luggage, what do you suppose the per-
son would do with 1t? Garry 1t to the Of
nee OF the warehouse OF the company?
Not at all. 1t would be taken as far away
from these places as possible. Hence the
'utlity OF searching about the premises
or the company"
While they were talking Clancy hustled
INTO the room with Il suit case i'm his hand.
me moment the young diplomat saw it he
gave a shout OF recognition and delight.
ne grabbed it and quickly laid 1t open on
a nearby table. Everything in it seemed
Just me same as 1t had been when it was
originally packed. Lane hurried through
II with fevecish haste. AS he concluded
his task his face fell. one article was
missing.
II was the little black bound letter book.
Lane turned to Barnes; but the chief,
.'aiias back In his chair. was engaged in
nus taVorite recreation of Watching the fly
ef+.+H- the ceiling. This calmness irrita ted
TIE young man.
me letter book is missing" he snapped
Iaraes came out Of his revcrie: he look
ell at the speaker with a charitable smile.
VI course. it's missing. 1t was a Gues-
tlon IN my mind whether TO send for the
suit case at all. Still 1t contains your be-
onSings. and frequently a new move. no
matter how u,m,ess. leads to the suspicion
OF a clew. But the fellow who has stolen
tac black letter hook wanted to taunt you
W!th the sighto of your suit case. He must
be a vindictive cuss. He"
The speaker Was interrupted by a flint
tap OIL the door.
Come in he called.
The door opened timidly and Helen
ihoInson entered. The half veil did not
VoHseai the urwonted sparkle in her eyes.
nor could ii entirely hide the fact thai she
was biushing most cllarm.ngly. She gave
a cry Of delight at sight of Lane and ex-
Claimed involuntariiy:
II thought | should find you here"
iHe next moment she could have bitten
her toigu for speaking so impulsively.
and she nuns her head, lier face scarlet.
l1ae, overjoyed but smarting from the
OF the morning, replied:
II thought I'd find you at home. too. but
I was mistaken"
WHAT do you mean" she erred. part,y
her self-possession.
"lhat ! called on you and you refused
tc. see NC"
She raised her vel, and the eyes flashed
Il reve" refused to see you'll never
that you calleG-I-"
On, cried Lane. Easp.nE Eer meaning
:Hs'aat.. "Then my card was inter
ccYteI""
she NODDED her head.
the dp'omst involuntarily clenched his
~. Tie xiii noted tho movement ard.
her voice. said:
.'e proposed 10 me this morning"
hane Jumped to her side as # he had
peen ~ea!apulsca across the room.
'Nna. ne ssr-eled. THAT old mar
i-urhnsaam-'
hes only forty-fiye i,ter,oc.ea
me Interruption dampcncd the young
mans nowcr. He did not finish his de-
iuaciation Of the guardian. He turned TO
her with Il query.
i~cu-Sou"-he began.
refused HIM. you silly goosc,'' with a
happy smile.
lie ielt Ike hugging her. He contented
iiinSeif with fresh denunc.ation of Rroi,-
Barnes interrupted The verba,
storm.
GIVE me forty-e:ght hours. to my own
"
AN hour later the chief began exploring
the financial district. He spent the re-
.naInder of the afternoon there. The next
Jay ne took 4 cab ana started out to visit
ne principal printing and engraving es-
ap''snnhents OF the city. At dusk he re.
turned to his office and said to CLANCY:
- want you to go out with me tonight.
m going to make a call on one of our
citizens"
80, ~ s"ae ih6Ht baTNeS ana nlS
Iai,hful satellite lowered about the neigh
OF n three story brown stone
mousse on the avenue. Having satisfied
hlmself that Il light was burning In the
l-prary, the chief. followed by his assist
mt. MOUNTED the steps of the house and
pushed the electric button. The well
trained butler who responded to the call
them into the reception hall and
soielnrIy accepted the card which Barnes
handed him.
Giving the man time to reach the top
nlsnf OF stairs, the chief whisperingly oil
'ected Clancy to remain where he was,
while he ewiftIy and noisclessly followed
Inc servant. On reaching the landing he
heard the murmur OF voices in the IL
There was a&craping sound as Of
. chair or bit Of furniture being moved
and all WIS silent again. Barnes did not
fcutate. A handsome portiere covered the