Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-09
ORY OF LOVE, MYSTERY AND KIDNAPPING

Erlegh's study at the schoolhouse. They
looked like men who had been up all
night. Erleigh was haggard and pale, as
though he had been through long ILL
ness. They were all three standing, Lord
Arthur with his back to the fireplace, in
which the fire had long been a mere heap
of ashes
"The school," repeated Erleigh, and he
looked at the faces of the other two men,
Lady Wimberley," said Lord Arthur
| sharply. Hang the school! It's my
sister-in-law I'm think Of"
! II understand, gentlemen" said the in
spector, that you both really want the
same thing. Mr.. Erleigh is thinking of
| the school,"
''And Lady wimberley, of course"
Erleigh broke in fiercely.
Yes. and Lady Wimberley" said the
inspector, "of course, the same as Lord
| Arthur You neither of you want pub
lie scandal. You want me to work quietly
so far as it is possible"
Yes" said Lord Arthur, that's It,"
"And let 1t be supposed, for the moment,
that Lord Wimberley has run away of his
own account"
Yes" said Erleigh Boys do run
away-from school-high-spirited boys
with love of adventure"
"And it's possible" continued the in
has actually occurred"
Neither Lord Arthur nor John Erleigh
made any reply to this remark.
"Of course, gentlemen" the inspector
continued, I'VE shall know moro when
certain inquiries have been made. l have
been telegraphing to London. We shall
find out something of the whereabouts of
this Mr.. Dick Meriet. have sent word
that Barker is to be interviewed-it's a
great pity, my lord, that you did not
come to us in the first place. These pri-
vate detectives are excellent fellows but
their hands are tied. You see. they have
no authority. Now this is the position"
and he turned back the pages of his
notebook. Erlelgh flung himself into a
chair. Lord Arthur lit cigarette.
boy last seen at half-past five," read
the inspector. School cap and overcoat
missing. Nothing else. so far as we can
find out. No traces OF any struggle,
either in study or garden. Possible for
him to have gone out through the door
leading out of school yard, but no evil
dence that he did So He has not been
seen by any one, so far as we can ascer-
tain, either In the town or at any station
down the line, or the village within a
radius of four miles. Three attempts
have already been made to kidnap him,
of which you have given me full par
ticulars. Mr.. Vertigan and Mr.. Richard
Merlet are suspected of being concerned
In the boys disappearance, but Mr. Ver-
tigan has not been questioned
you thought that best, didn't your"
Lord Arthur interrupted.
Yes, my lord. We shall have him |
most carefully watched. detective will
be down here tomorrow morning. Now
there is one thing I should like to men
tlon, and that is the motive for kidnap- |
ping the boy"
Lord Arthur drew in his breath sharp- |
ly, Erleigh groaned and covered his |
face with his hands.
Both Of you gentlemen" the inspector |
continued, seem 10 think that this young |
marquess has been made away with, and |
that seems to be the only reason, so far |
as j can see, for suspecting Mr.. Richard |
Meriet of completely In the affair. ] sup
pose 1t has occurred TO you. Lord Arthur, |
that you being the next heir TO the title |
and estates"
"oh. yes, yes" Lord Arthur interrupt /