Tombstone epitaph., 1915-08-08

utuedtu urr gaze. que plChcu "
 up. and hurried in to her mistress
 with it.
 When the sinister envelope was
 opened. large cartridge for A
 caliber revolver fell into Mrs. Mac
 Gregor's lap. She recoiled in hor-
 TOT. and tremblingly opened out
 tine carefully folded sheet of heavy
 wrapping paper which the enyel-
 ope contained.
 The note. written in an ignorant
 hand with a mussy lead pencil,
 read as follows:
 We have kidnap your boy and
 we xii him unless you get one hun
 dred thousand dollars in hundred
 dollar bills and be ready for notice
 where to put them. No monkey
 bizness new. The bullet means
 death and we have more of them
 for your boy Cord"
 Beneath that was a scrawl in
 the same hand which read:
 T am all right. mamma, but
 like to be back wit you.
 CORD"
 The second note bore in addition
 a mark which the fearful mother
 readily recognized as Geordie's
 drawing of a bird. which he had
 printed all over his childish pos
 sessions.
 Throwing down the sheet. Chris topher Poe ate a hasty breakfast. and hurried out of the house. When he was within a block or two of the Mac Gregor mansion. his pace slackened, and he sauntered slowly. looking about him like a gentleman taking a morn ing walk. Outwardly he seemed like person perfectly at home in the neighborhood. and only idly interested in the MacGregor house. So well did he play his part that two detectives lettering in the vicinity took only pass ing notice of him.
 Twice he strolled past the house on the opposite side of the street. swing ing a modish Piccadilly stick, and sauntering leisurely. He stopped to drop a coin in the hat of a black-spec- tacled blind beggar sitting with crossed AN eS O.l 14C 1ANCN AAo bd1h the park fence as he drawled out plain tive tunes on a wheezy accordion. Then he crossed the street, and went up the steps to the MacGregor man. sion. The two watchful detectives followed quickly. scenung a deyel- opment.
 The man was recognized by Andrew. the butler, who opened the door. A minute later he was shown into the living-room. where Mrs. MacGregor lay on a couch. Rose rubbing her head.
 ''Oh. I'm so glad you came, MT. Poe, " she cried. hal: rising. and extending a limp hand.
 .I hope I can help" replied Chris topher Poe. T have never known the time when I wouldn't give up the silly business of banking for an interesting criminal study. and when I may serve But must make secret of anything may do in that line. The servants will remember me as an old family friend. 1 am to appear here only as a buffer between you and the outside world. To everybody but the servants am MT. Hardy"
 T understand. You speak so calm ly. It is so encouraging. You think there is 8 chance to get Geordie back? It isn't the money. only the police; they won't let me meet the terms of ransom and am so afraid something will happen to-"
 The police are quite right. We all have a duty toward each other. If you accede to the ransom terms. you in- crease the criminals chances against the law But don't anticipate much trouble. Geordie is somewhere, and you can be quite sure he is safe from harm while his abductors have hope of getting money" He smiled reassur- ingly. Turning to the nurse. he said quickly:
 'I read in the paper this morning. Miss McDermott. that you vaguely heard Geordie calling 'Ponto.' Is the account true. and can you be quite cer- tain it was Geordie's voice?"
 '-Oh, I'm not at all sure about any thing, MT. Poe" cried the woman, a numb. fixed stare of pain in her faith ful eyes as she raised them fully to Poe's. '1 should have awakened. felt so sort O. strange"
 Might the whispered word have been Pronto?" asked Poe.
 Yes, but I can't see why Geordie should say that. I never heard the word, and 'Ponto' is the name of his pony"
 And you are not sure that 1t was Geordie's voice at all?'
 Not at all. sir. It IS all so hazy. I must have dreamt it."
 I'm afraid not. only wish you were more sure of the voice"
 He turned abruptly to Mrs. Mac Gregor. who lay back with eyelids closed quiveringiy. She twitched nerv- ously. and tossed in an endeavor to find comfort on her couch.
 Does that wheezing accordion bother your" asked Poe. as a garbled version of Nellie Gray" came dis tinctly through the window from the blind beggar across the street.
 He plays such dreadful things!" cried Mrs. MacGregor, opening her eyes. The poor fellow is probably as badly on as l. It's only my nerves. donf Iika fo-"