The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-12-16
[5elTIME|
- - LOCK |
By CHARLES EDMQNDS WALK |
Author Of "The Silver Blade"
"The Paternoster Ruby" etc.
copyright 1912 By A. c. McClurg Coz
CHAPTER w.
Mr.. Flint Advances a Theory.

maniier in which his Cousin Pages
purse had appeared. He met the de- |
tective's narrow regard with a long,
questioning stare; then he abruptly
dropped into chair.
Flint" he said, you took my
breath away. Sit down, man, sit
down. Think I'll let you go until you
have told me all about this?"
So slowly did Mr.. Flint obey, that
the other could not restrain his impa-
tience.
rs my cousin in New York;" he
questioned peremptorily. Have you
seen her? This is a terribly serious
matter, Mr.. Flint, as you would ap-
preciate if you were acquainted with
all the circumstances"
Suppose" returned the quiet
voice, you first answer my question
do you know where your cousin ISL
''No"-bluntly, Il don't. Until to-
day l imagined l had some idea of
her whereabouts, but''-he weighed
the shining purse in his hand, contem-
plating it soberly-"here is the second
reason 1 have been given within the
last hour to feel good deal Of anx-
iety respecting her.
viii you tell me the other rea-
SOM"
| Briefly Van Vechten related the en-
counter with T. Jenkins, of the
| Sphere, and at the close of the recital
the listener nodded understandingly
1T is beginning to look as though
1 81,
| ing up something a bit more serious
began Mr.. Flint; but the other sharp
ly interrupted.
What do you mean?. il can't be
that anything has happened to Paige?'
Before replying, Mr.. Flint regarded
him moment doubtfully.
do not become unnecessarily
alarmed, Mr.. Van Vechten, but it is
possible-barely possible, understand
that we have run upon kidnapping
plot"
Van Vechten groaned and sank
Imply back, staring horror he could
not voice.
Flint! Do you really know what
you are saying?"
barely possible | meant no more. If
you can't control yourself it will be
useless for me to talk further. l be-
lieve your help would be valuable, and
l had hoped to enlist it; but l might
as we'll leave you if you cannot give
your attention to the chances of Miss
Carew being involved"
You have as much feeling as a
jellyfsh, Flint" the other broke in.
Il am stunned. Give me a moment
} to grasp this hideous suggestion"
And he did succeed, gradually, in
) pulling himself together The very
idea was so shocking, so far beyond
the pale of any possible experience
! that he might within reason expect
. that his admirable imperturba bility
!. was for the moment shaken. He final
. ly said:
What have you to support your
. belief"
Not much. And 1 have no positive
!. belief. l simply want to present q
. theory for your consideration, sug
gested by such few unsatisfactory
!. facts as we have, in the hope that
!. together, we may arrive at one more
: plausible"
But Paige-kidnaped! exclaimed
|: Van Vechten. aghast.
5. Mr.. Flint ceased trying to disabus'
/ his mind of it's fears, by unsuI ported
Z assurances.
!; Let us go back to yesterday h
!: resumed. THE episode of the fou
!. men you saw enter the house owe
/: yonder was not mystifying to me
: Even while you were relating it
!. was pretty certain that they were re
!: spending to al advertisement OF som
!, description. The only popularity la
!. in the fact that they arrived precise
!. ly an hour apart.
!: But that circumstance also is easil
I. explained: The advertiser had nee
!: for more than one man, and he wante
:. to interview them one at a time with
= out meeting one another. Upon rur
s. ming through the files of the daily pc
( pers for a fortnight back, l found
{; confirmation of my conclusions. Her
:. it is" And he handed Van Vechten
newspaper clipping, which the latte
: studied long and intently before r.
Z turning:
! "WANTED-A young man who wi
Z exchange unreservedly one week {
! his time for $1,000 cash. Must b
Z muscular and willing to risk an a,
:; venture involving an element of dal
Z ger. If imposed conditions are in
+ plicitly obeyed. payment will be mad
J: Immediately upon successful outcom
:: If you are confident you are the youn
man. Address X720, Tribune"
: sNow." Mr.. Flint went on, "certai
I: obvious conclusions may be draw
!: from this advertisement, and certa1
!: things concerning It may be pretl
:: confidently inferred.
!. whatever the enterprise, it i
=: Folves some danger: it requires youn
Z uen of physical strength and daring