The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-12-13
CHAPTER ".
Mr.. Flint Advances a Theory.

MT. ClIlI D NOlCc uloblpdIOu SuuOiPA
Van Vechten's bewilderment; but the
young man remained completely non
plused over the seemingly inexplicable
manner in which his Cousin Paige's
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 60 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, 81 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 1t soberly-"here is the second
reason have been given within the
last hour to feel a good deal Of anx-
iety respecting her"
will you tell me the other req
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
my search for murderer was open.
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 sanl
Imply back, staring horror he coul(
not voice.
Flint Do you really know wha
you are saying?'
"Tut, Mr. Van Vechten. salt
barely possible | meant no more
you can't control yourself it will b.
useless for me to talk further, be
lieve your help would be valuable, an,
had hoped to enlist it; but nigh
as we'll leave you if you cannot Civ
your attention to the chances of Mis-
Carew being involved"
you have as much feeling as
jellyfish Flint" the other broke in
Il am stunned Give me a momen
to grasp this hideous suggestion"
And he did succeed, gradually, Il
pulling himself together. The yer
idea was so shocking, so far beyon
the pale of any possible experienc
that he might within reason expect
that his admirable imperturbabilit
was for the moment shaken. He fina
ly said
What have you to support you
belief"
Not much. And have no positiv
belief. simply want to present
theory for your consideration, sut
gested by such few unsatisfactor
facts as We have, in the hope tha
together, we may arrive at one NOR
plausible"
But Paige-kidnaped." exclaime
Van Vechten, aghast
Mr.. Flint ceased trying to disabus
his mind of its fears, by unsur porte
assurances.
Let US go back to yesterday"
resumed. THE episode of the fou
men you saw enter the house owe
yonder was not mystifying to m,
Even while you were relating it
was pretty certain that they were r,
spending to an advertisement of som
description. The only popularity la
In the fact that they arrived precis,
by an hour apart.
But that circumstance also is easil
explained: The advertiser had nee
for more than one man, and he wante
to interview them one at a time witt
out meeting one another. Upon rul
ming through the files Of the daily p,
pers for a fortnight back, I found
confirmation Of my conclusions. Her
It is" And he handed Van Vechten
newspaper clipping. which the latte