The Raymer enterprise., 1911-03-16

XIllNR "sketching the incep-
~ ton OF the plot as |
XZ pieced It together aft.
yRA erwards otherwise
you'll never get clear
RNl!Nl idea OF the cleverness
lII|N and cunning shown by
a2R1RR1lD the conspirators.
had been over to Paris. on an.
other job. and passing through Lon.
don on the way back ! naturally
looked in at the main works. There
they told me was Just the man
wanted to handle very peculiar
case-the disappearance OF one OF our
leading American milllonaires."
with this Introduction Manley
shipped of the end OF fresh pane.
tella, lighted the business end care.
fully. and then reeled of the following
story:
Col. Appleton Biddle, bird-ofprey,
financial pirate. and freebooter. was
fioundering In deep water. Latterly
he had bestowed the distinctive sun.
shine OF his presence upon the
moneyed circles of London where he
was ostensibly engaged in an en-.
deavor to float sundry and divers
American swindles disguished as cop.
per prospects. silver mines and OF,
wells.
But Col. Biddle's luck had failed OF
late, and he found himself In financial
straits. Not that he was BY any
means broke" he could still lay
hands on few thousand dollars.
Nevertheless a grand coup was es.
sential-a killing which would en-.
able him to retire and live respect.
ably thenceforth and foreyermore.
Two confederates were needed and
found In the persons OF Tom Stoner
and Sam Dragoo, brace OF Ameri.
can sharpers likewise down on their
luck. These worthless Biddle invited
TO quiet dinner on Sunday afternoon
at his little place" which was named
The Willows" near Marlow-on.
Thames. The dwelling had formerly
been the dover house OF a much
larger mansion. a quarter OF mile
away. known as MARROW manor. now
owned by Dandy Dallas. an expatriat-
cd American. In process OF time the
smaller place had become sequestrat
cd from the parent property, and was
now rented separately. though only
Just outside the park wall OF the
manor. To his satellites Col Biddle
outlined his plot. In brief, he had
conceived the idea OF kidnapping the
neighbOr millionaire in his own house
and holding him for stupendous ran.
SOM
Some time next week we'll turn
the trick" said Col. Biddle. about
Friday or Saturday. according to cir.
cumstances. To show you how easy
1t Is. remove your shoes and follow
me" The chief conspirator brought
forth pocket electric lamp, saying:
You won't need your hats, boys"
At the end OF the lower hall he
opened door. which led to the cellar
OF the cottage. Proceeding to a dis.
used wine bin at one end, lighted by
the tiny spark in the torchshe car.
rled. the colonel pulled aside ah empty
crate, seized rusty iron ring in the
floor, and raised a wooden trap. There
was disclosed a short flight of stone
steps, wet and cleaning with moisture
in the rays olthe light.
Il stumblednn this quite accidental.
ly." explained fhe colonel, ''and after
a little exploring the idea came pat
Old country houses over here are
full Of these forgotten things, some OF
'em dating back hundreds OF years.
Mighty handy this. must have been
during the good old times TO those in
the secret up at the hanofs 7onder--
for that's where 1t leaas fo' Come
on, boys-Ill show yonl" whispered
Biddle. setting forth at a good pace
into the dark void ahead They We're
in narrow brlck.lned and paved
tunnel. the trend OF which was sliaht,
" downward for about half tK61i.
sand feet; then thA ascent began
Gsain. until they cams tosa narrow
w."ang stairway&t stone, apparently
built into the thickness OF some mas.
sive wall Three flights Of these steps
were traversed then the leader
stopped before an apparently blank
partition. but which was really a
cunningly fitted door.
Pointing to this. the colonel whis.
pered. with triumphant CLEAN In his
cold gray eyes:
That lets right into the sleeping
room OF Dandy Dallas!'
Now. when | came into the case |
was told to see n certain Sir George
Kensett, who was engaged to MARRY
Danby's daughter. We met at his
club. and having been put intd pos.
session Of the main facts was en-.
abled to at once proceed with my
questions
ANY Developments" inquired.
mot morsel!" declared Kensett
disgustedly. Most mysterious thing
you ever heard Of Fancy, DANNY