Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-04-14


ng the slightest tracei Goes to his
Dom at IL p. m, and some time be-
ween that and the next morning he
evidently untouched,
lever an article of clothing or jewel
y missing except what he is known
o have been wearing. the lights
'witched of, and not the slightest evil
ience of struggle or of any vio-
ence! That's three days ago, and
we're not a bit wiser now than we
we're then! It's a most confounded
mystery, however you look at it! Mr..
Dallas hated publicity and scandal
above all things"
l thought it advisable to look over
he ground in person at NARROW
manor. All over the house / 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
nificance. Dallas desk stood open, its
crammed with papers
and letters, a large cheQue-book in
full view.
'I'Il have a look at this" said l,
taking it out; ''it may give us a
clew."
/ 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 correspondingly numbered
cheques were missing!
That's queer" / thought The
other item consisted in the half-con-
med stub of fat black cigar rested
a corner of the mantel, which /
tefully scrutinized, and then quiet
confiscated.
What do you think about it all?"
hsett inquired, as we stood on the
race after their tour.
One of two things is certain" / an
cred. Either Mr.. Dallas walked
of the house of his own accord,
b has left the neighborhood for
me particular private reason, desir-
his whereabouts to remain I'M
own; or else he had been lured
ay or abducted, and is being for
lily detained for some nefarious OBJ
III"
He'd never do such thing!" ex-
lined Kensett. 1T must be the 9TH
thing-he's been kidnapped! But
", and by vhom?"
That's what / propose to find out,
my answer. Those missing
|ques, with no stub entries, look
picious to me-your prospective ia
r-in-law was a most methodical
b. 1t may spell blackmail! But
he man is on earth-and he can't
Very far away-Tll find him"
ow here is what actually happened
Col Biddle's pretty plot was
andy Dallas was enjoying before
ime cigar on a divan in his large
aid softly-lighted sleeping apartment
The clock In the stable turret had just
chimed the three-quarters after IL
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 q
sudden draft of cold and damp all
which invaded the pleasant warmth o.
the room, and sent the smoke-wreath:
from his cigar whirling ceilingward
And this is what he saw: Beside hii
bed, the usual smooth and flawless ex
panse of polished old oak panelint
reaching from floor to frieze had giver
place to a yawning black cavity thu
size of an ordinary doorway. In thii
aperture stood three men, the fore
most of whom had him covered witt
very business-like revolver of thu
most approved pattern. The two fel
lows in the background were similarl,
armed.
Hands up!" commanded the leade
In the smoothest and silkiest of voices
a half-consumed cigar poised betweei
the left thumb and forefnger. as Da
las sprung to his feet in amazement.
Hands up, Mr.. Dallas! I've &C
you covered" Every American know
the meaning of those two magi
words. His hands few above hi
shoulders, all ten digits extended.
What does this intrusion mean?
sputtered the astonished millionair
q"
SILENCE. If you please" commando
our friend, Col Biddle. Bushes
first: talk later" Then, steppin
aside, he motioned his confederate
forward, saying:
Tie him up, boys!" Stoner an
Dragoo came into the room, produce
a cowboys lariat, with which the
proceeded to deity and scientifical
truse their victim by the ankles. G
bows and wrists.
Gag himl" ordered Biddle, where's
a folded silk handkerchief was secur
" tied over the Dallas mouth. The
a chair was placed behind the no
helpless man, and he was gently b.
firmly pushed into sitting posture.
so! All neat and shipshape," cor
mented Biddle, as he slipped the T
volver into his hip-pocket. deposftt
his cigar on one corner Of the mantl
piece, and drew up a second chair,
which he seated himself close to Il
prisoner. Speaking very quickly. b.
none the less distinctly. he said:
Now, Mr.. Dallas. we are going
| tolxo ,-0,, xx-ffh No matter WhQ