The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-05-28
BOOK H..
CHAPTER Iv.-continued.

STHF EN-
= DO not become unnecessarily
alarmed, Mr.. Van Vechten, but 1t Is
possible-barely possible, understand
that We have run upon a kidnapping
plot"
Van Vechten groaned and sank
Imply back, staring a horror he could
not voice.
Flint! Do you really know what
you are saying?"
Tut, Mr.. Van Vechten. l said
barely possible l meant no more. If
you can't control yourself 1t will be
useless for me to talk further. be-
lieve your help would be valuable, and
| had hoped to enlist 1t: but | might
as well leave you If you cannot give
your attention to the chances of Miss
Carew being involved"
You have as much feeling as a
Jellyfish, 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 imperturbability
was for the moment shaken. He final
ly said:
What have you to support your
belief"
Not much. And | have no positive
belief. simply want to present a
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.
Mr.. Flint ceased trying to disabuse
his mind Of its fears, by unsupported
assurances.
LET us go back TO yesterday" he
resumed. The episode of the four
men you saw enter the house over
yonder was not mystifying to me.
Even while you were relating II I
was pretty certain hat they we're re-
spending to an Advertisement OF some
description. The only popularity lay
In the fact that they arrived precise
ly an hour apart.
But that circumstance also Is easily
explained: The advertiser had need
for more than one man. and he wanted
to interview them one at a time with.
out meeting one another. Upon run.
ning through the files of the daily pa.
pers for a fortnight back. l found a
confirmation Of my conclusions. Here
It is" And he handed Van Vechten a
newspaper clipping. which the latter
studied long and intently before re.
turning:
"WANTED-A young man who will
exchange un~reservedly n week OF
his time for $1,000 cash. Must be
muscular and willing to risk an ad'
venture involving an element of dan
ger. II imposed conditions are i'm
plicitly obeyed. payment will be made
Immediately upon successful outcome
II you are confident you are the young
man, Address X720. Tribune"
Now" Mr.. Flint went on. certain
obvious conclusions may be drawn
from this advertisement, and certain
things concerning 1t may be pretty
confidently inferred.
Whatever the enterprise. 1t In
wolves some danger; It requires young
men of physical strength and daring
and 1t is of sufficient Importance tc
the advertiser for him to expend 9
considerable sum Of money In putting
It through-say four or fve Thousand
collars. There Is an army OF yount
men answering the description. EN-
ployed as we'll as unemployed. TO
whom the little ad. would hold an ir
-esistible appeal; undoubtedly Mr.
x-72O was deluged with applications.
| Then what u his mex obvious