The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1911-03-24

were not bit wiser now than we
were then! It's most COMPOUNDED
mystery, however you look at it! Mr.
Dallas hated publicity and scandal
above all things"
| thought it advisable to look over
the ground in person at NARROW
manor. All over the house l went, up.
stairs, downstairs, and in my gentle.
mans chamber-the suite occupied by
Dandy Dallas. Result, nil. The trail
was positively and absolutely blind,
save for two curious facts which
might or might not possess any sig.
niticance. Dallas desk stood open, its
pigeOn-holes crammed with papers
and letters, large cheque.book in
full view.
III have a look at this" said l,
taking it out; 1T may give us a
clew."
l turned to the last strip of used
stubs-there were five to page-and
noted the number. The next series of
five stubs were completely blank, but
all the CORRESPONDENCE numbered
cheques were missing!
That's queer" thought. The
other item consisted in the half-con-
sumed stub of fat black cigar rested
on a corner of the mantel, which l
carefully scrutinized, and then quiet
ly confiscated.
What do you think about it all?"
Kensett inquired, as we stood on the
terrace after their tour.
"One of two things is certain" an
sWered. Either Mr. Dallas walked
out of the house of his own accord,
and has left the neighborhood for
some particular private reason, desir-
| ing his whereabouts to remain un-
known; or else he had been lured
away or abducted, and is being for
chilly detained for some nefarious OBJ
ject!"
He'd never do such thing!" ex-
claimed Kensett. 1T must be the 9TH
er thing-he's been kidnapped! But
how, and by whom?"
That's what propose to find out"
was my answer. Those missing
cheques. with no stub entries, look
suspicious to me-.your prospective ia.
ther-in-law was most methodical
man. It may spell blackmail! But
II the man is on eartb-and he can't
be very far away-Tll find him"
Now here is what actually happened
when Col. Biddle's pretty plot was
ripe:
Dandy Dallas was enjoying a before.
bedtime cigar on divan in his large
and softly-lighted sleeping apartment
The clock in the stable turret had just
chimed the three-quarters after II.
Presumably all the household were in
their little beds. Suddenly the mil
lionaire rose on one elbow, and turned
his head. He had been aroused by
sudden draft of cold and damp air
which invaded the pleasant warmth of
the room, and sent the smoke wreaths
from his cigar whirling ceilingward.
And this is what he saw: Beside his
bed, the usual smooth and flawless ex-
panse of polished old oak paneling
reaching from floor to frieze had given
place to a yawning black cavity the
size of an ordinary doorway. In this
aperture stood three men, the fore
most of whom had him covered with
a very business-like revolver of the
most approved pattern. The two fell
lows in the background were similarly
armed.
Hands up" commanded the leader
in the smoothest and silkiest of voices,
a half-consumed cigar poised between
the left thumb and forefinger, as Dali
las sprung to his feet in amazement.
Hands up, Mr.. Dallas! I've got
you covered" Every American knows
the meaning Of those two magic
words. His hands few above his
shoulders, all ten digits extended.
What does this intrusion mean?"
sputtered the astonished millionaire,
IL"
Silence. If you please" commanded
our friend, Col. Biddle. Business
first; talk later" Then, stepping
aside. he motioned his confederates
forward, saying:
"Tie him up, boys!" Stoner and
Dragoo came into the room, produced
a cowboys lariat, with which they
proceeded to deity and scientifically |
truse their victim by the ankles, ell.
bows and wrists
Gag him." ordered Biddle, whereat |
q folded silk handkerchief was secure
ly tied over the Dallas mouth. Then |
a chair was placed behind the now
helpless man, and he was gently but |
firmly pushed into sitting posture.
$50! All neat and shipshape," COM
mented Biddle, as he slipped the re-
volver into his hippocket. deposited |
his cigar on one corner Of the mantle
piece, and drew up a second chair, in
which he seated himself close to the
prisoner Speaking very quickly, but
none the less distinctly, he said:
SNOW, Mr.. Dallas, we are going to
take you with us. No matter where
to or why--you'll learn all about that J