United labor bulletin., 1913-12-27


reason to believe otherwise-in all
likelihood he was a stranger to the ad-
vertiser: then. where shall we look
for motive?
This strikes me as the most prob
able one: his scruples baked at the
enterprise. he denounced the crimi-
mails. who were thus threatened with
exposure and arrest II they did not i'm
mediately silence the intractable indi-
vidual. They chose the second alter
native, which would indicate that they
are desperate enough.
Now let us consider the facts sup
porting the improbability that Miss
Carew has been kidnapped
First of all there is the extreme
difficulty Of doing such a thing in any
eveRt-the lack of opportunity. But
with your cousin the difficulty is even
greater: she is in Europe with trust
worthy companion, and a number OF
unlikely assumptions must be materf-
ally strengthened before the kidnap-
ing hypothesis can be accepted as a
working theory.
IF the deed was committed abroad,
how was the young lady conveyed to
America? If she was first lured to
this country. how was she persuaded
to make such an important move with
out notifying her relatives? And al
ways there is Mrs Devereaux to be
considered. II Miss Carew was sep
arated from her. how is her silence to
be explained? II she was not sepa-
rated from Mrs. Devereaux, then the
older lady either must be regarded as
confederate. or 1t must be assumed
that she was forcibly taken also
either assumption being extremely i'm
probable.
There is one other idea that oc-
CURED to me, but a pretty far-fetched
one. I'm bound to admit: we may have
stumbled upon a rendezvous of inter.
national thieves. The purse may have
been stolen from Miss Carew. in Eu.
rope. weeks or even months ago."
But Van Vechten decisively shook
his head. 1T has not been out of her
possession a week." asserted he; the
significance of which the detective
seemed to understand
Well" said he, Il have been candid
with you. Mr.. Van Vechten; suppose
you return the compliment"
What do you mean? have nothing
to tell"
Nothing to tell.'" the other echoed
musingly-"precisely The contract
ed eyes favored Van vechten with q
penetrating look.
Mr.. Van vechten." he began quiet
/ ly after a pause. Il have not followed
my profession for a score of years with
out acquiring more or less facility in
certain directions. For example.
know almost intuitively when anybody
is keeping something back from me.
knew that you were not entirely oper
and frank while / was talking with you
yesterday"
The young man regarded him with
an amazement not entirely free from
discomposure.
"Of course" MIR. Flint went on, with
out the least emotion. Il can't imagine
what your reason may be for reti
cence; but ] do know that IL you per
sist in remaining silent upon any point
of this case. you are adopting a mos
unwise course l am not trying tC
force your confidence: | am merely
inviting it. leaving the decision with
your good judgment Bear in mind
that l haven't the slightest persona
interest in finding Miss Carew; she is
merely incidental to an investigation
| am pursuing"
For a long time Van vechten pom
dered. At last he said. very soberly:
You are right, Flint; haven't beer
perfectly frank with you. My concep
ton Of detectives and police generally
has been the haziest. but l believe
can trust you"-with stress upon the
you" Il am going to. at any rate
And then he recounted the episode
OF the veiled lady in the taxicab. the
incident of the girl and the sandy
haired man in the crowd. and OF his
subsequent view OF the former at q
window in Number 1913.
My impulse toward reserve is Sc
difficult to account for" he said in
conclusion. that had determined to
keep the matter to myself"
Il am glad you didn't" was the low.
voiced rejoinder
Flint" said Van Vechten earnestly
do you believe that I am qualified to
form fairly accurate estimate OF a
l1@0TS 2G 81