Bisbee daily review., 1914-11-26
CHAPTER w.
Mir. Flint Advances a Theory.


 Mir Flint's voice dissipated Rudolph Van Vechtens bewilderment; but the young man remained completely non pluscd over the seemingly inexplicable manner in which his Cousin Paiges purse had appeared. He met the de- tectiye's narrow regard with a long, questioning stare; then be abruptly dropped into chair
 "FIint" 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 Mir Flint obey. that the other could not restrain his impa- tience.
 "Is 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 is?"
 "No'-bluntly "l don't. Until to- day I imagined ] had some idea of her whereabouts, but-he weighed the shining purse in his hand, contem- plating it soberly-"here is the second reason l have been given within the last hour to feel a good deal of anx- iety respecting her"
 "Wm you ten me the other req son?'
 Briefly Van Vechten related the en- counter with T. Jenkins, of the Sphere, and at the close of the recital the listener nodded understandingly.
 "lt is beginning to look as though my search for murderer was open ing up something a bit more serious" began MT. Flint; but the other sharp ly interrupted
 What do you mean? It can't be that anything has happened to Paige?"
 Before replying, Mir Flint regarded him a moment doubuully
 Do not become unnecessarily alarmed, MT Van Vechten, but it 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. Mir Van vechten. I said barely possible. l meant no more. If you can't control yourself 1t will be useless for me to talk further be- heve your help would be valuable. and had hoped to enlist 1t; but I 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 Jellytsh, FlinE' the other broke in 'l 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 belef?"
 Not much And l 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-kidnapedl" exclaimed Van Nechten. aghast
 Mir 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 wonder was not mystifying to me. Even while you were relating 1t l was pretty certain that they were re- spending to an advertisement of some description The only peculiarity lay in the fact that they arrived precise ly an hour apart.