The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-03
DETECTIVES HAVE
 KNOTTY PROBLEM A Washington Lady Seeks
 Her Adopted Son MISSING BOY AN HEIR Postmaster Montgomery and Chief Bodeker Are Appealed to for
 Aid in Search for Berk-
 ley Clarendon

That truth is stranger than fiction is aptly illustrated by a case which Detec- lives Williams and Murphy of the local police force are handling. The detectives are engaged on many strange cases, but few have contained the elements of romance, of tragedy, and of mystery as does this one.
 Mrs Annabel Williams of 612 Massa chu- setts avenue, Washington, D. C., wrote to Postmaster J. II. Montgomery on March IS asking aid in ascertaining the where abouts of her adopted son, Berlxley Clar- endon, whom she last heard from in Bir- mingham on May I. There is nothing strange in this, for Chief Bodeker re- ceives hundreds of such letters in the sourse of a month. But what is unusual is that Mrs. Williams states that she has reason to believe that Clarendon is in an insane hospital or sanitarium, as he had strange losses of memory. Her letter did not explain much in regard to Clarendon and the detectives were given little to work on but they spent a greater part of the week Investigating the case. They failed absolutely to find any trace of Clarendon or of anyone who knew him. Probably the most unusual feature Of the case was the closing statement of Mrs. Williams letter. She says:
 Fortune Awaits Him 'He had no living relatives in America, so far as I know, and I have learned that his people in England are very anxious to locate him, as there is large sum of money tied up awaiting some news of his whereabouts"
 What better clements for a coup de plume could a master of fiction ask than the above facts? Clarendon is a historic name in England and should Clarendon be found the denouement of the situation would be all that one could desire.
 Detectives Williams and Murphy are much perplexed over the matter. They state that this is the first instance of the kind that has come to their attention and they have spent good deal of time in trying to unravel the mystery. Clar- endon is described by his step-mother as being small and slender, very dark and of reserved manner
 Disappeared Completely
 The detectives inferred that he was an Englishman and acting on this supposi- ton have based their inquiries on this theory, but of no avail. Clarendon has disappeared as completely as if the earth had swallowed him up.
 While the story is unique, by far the most interesting thing connected with it is a letter from Clarendon to his step- mother. which she encloses. The letter is undoubtedly the most unusual document of it's kind ever handled by the local police.
 The letter is singularly indicative of the character of the writer and is filed with heart interest. It evidences lone- liness and love for his step-mother that is remarkable. It is as follows:
 His Last Letter Birmingham, May |. Dearest, Darling Old Mother: q forgive you and love you just the same. I understand. Really, mother dar- ling I got tickled at that portion of your letter. You must forgive me, for
 
 proo ched the fact that I was selnsn. like it was some dire, dreadful secret. Bless you, dearest, I have known it for years. Now, I'll tell you how 1t came about. When 1 was thrown on my own resources I was the most confiding, inno- cent and unsophisticated little being you ever saw. I had not been making my own living for two years before l found | 4. ,@4 Y1al- out for No. 1, no one else will From one extreme I went to another, and came to calmly appropriate the best Of every thing for myself. Soon it became habit, and now as you say, it is a strong trait of my nature.
 Dearest mother don't ever be afraid of offending me by telling me of my faults. What is a mother for if not for that, as well as to be loving? I am keenly con- scious of my faults. but lack the energy to correct them. You know I once told you that I was not the angel that you thought I was. My words are commg true now, you see Never mind, I always did think that the strongest love or all was the love that endured, conscious of faults, but loving still.
 ''It has been quite time since l wrote you, and also quite time since l heard from you. I got your letter this after noon when went home to supper, ana as I was going back to the store to fInrsn some work that had to do did not open it until had finished my writing. When have something real nice I always save it as long as I can to enjoy 1t the more Half the pleasure of life is derived from anticipation you know lit a pipe. threw my heels up on my desk, and opened your letter. I read it three times without s,op- ping, and then went back and read it again just for the pure joy of hearing from you. My, how I enjoyed that letter. And it was. so long, too How could you guess that I was hungering for one of your letters? It seems that when I need a thing the most it comes, often mex pectedly
 Worked in Birmingham
 ''Well, dear, have been very busy since you last heard from me, and I have made three flying trips out of Birming- ham, At each place l overhauled the store and twice fired @ manager. At one place affairs were in a complete mess, anS It took me three days to straighten them out. But all things come to an end and now I think I can sit back and direct the work rather than do the greater part of it. By the way, have another s,en- ographer.
 Dearest. it is time for me to hit the bed. for it is Sunday morning. Write me another long letter soon. Lovingly,
 "BERKIEY"