Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-07-24

reason to believe otherwise-in all
likelihood he was a stranger to the ad-
vertiser; then, where shall we look
for a motive?
This strikes me as the most prob
able one: his scruples baked at the
enterprise; he denounced the crimi-
nails, 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 thing in any
event-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 materi-
ally strengthened before the kidnap-
ing hypothesis can be accepted as
working theory.
"If the deed was committed abroad.
how was the young lady conveyed TO
America? II 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. Dsvereaux. then the
older lady either must be regarded az
a confederate. or It 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 pretty far-fetched
one. I'm bound to admit: we may have
stumbled upon q 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. "It 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 meanf have nothing
to tell"
Nothing to tell.'" the other echoed
musingly-"precisely. The contract
ed eyes favored Van Vechten with a
penetrating look.
"Mr. Van Vechten." he began quiet
ly after a pause. 'I 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
ia keeping something back from me.
knew that you were not entirely open
and frank while was talking with you
yesterday"
The young man regarded him with
an amazement not entirely free from
discomposure.
"Of course" Mr.. Flint went on, with
out the least emotion. 81 can't imagine
what your reason may be for reti-
cence; but do know that II you per-
sist In remaining silent upon any point
of this case. you are adopting a most
unwise course. ! am not trying to
force your confidence: l am merely
inviting 1t. leaving the decision with
your good judgment Bear In mind
that l haven't the slightest personal
interest in finding Miss Carew; she is
merely incidental to an investigation
am pursuing"
For long time Van Vechten pom
dered. At last he said. very soberly:
You are right, Flint; l haven't been
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" II am going to. at any rate"
And then he recounted the episode
of the yelled 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 a
window in Number 1913.
My impulse toward reserve is 80
difficult to account for" he said in
conclusion, that l had determined to
keep the matter to myself"
II am glad you didn't" was the low
voiced rejoinder.
Flint" said Van Vechten earnestly.
do you believe that I am qualified to
form a fairly accurate estimate of a