Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1915-02-25

Zudofa was Fu&xt0os
The father knew that to recover the
boy he would have to dig deep into
his purse. That he was willing enough
to do. but what he wanted to be sure
OF was that the payment should be
final, He did not wish to be bounded
and pursued by that terror of uncer-
tainty, or suspense. He was willing
to pay In pride and money. but ne
wanted security and peace In return.
The police were securing the city.
but they found not the slightest clew
TO the whereabouts uf the boy or OF
the character OF the abductors. After
a week OF misery some friend suggest
ed that the services Of one Hassam
Ali, the mystic detective. or the serv-
ices OF his niece should be secured.
The father was reluctant. for he held
nil these mystics IA contemplate
mountebanks who thrtved upon the
credulity Of fools But the metropoii-
tan police mad failed. and he was not
q man to leave any stone unturned TO
recover his boy, the apple OF his eye.
So he and Mrs. Van Wick decided
to pay Ha ssam All visit. They sum-
moned tia. car aud started out for
Hassam Ais house. ZudOra Impress
ed them 10th far more than the mystic
himself
"DO you think you can help usT
"My uiece will see what she can
do" said uassam Ali. or rather Has
sam Aii's donSle.
but a young woman said Van
Wick doubtfully.
Hassam AN laughed. ''She may look
fragile. but wire looks fragile"
but these men are desperate charac-
ters,"
And viii I've the last people in the
world 90 suspect fragile young wo-
man Ut t1etng on their trail"
Don't worry over the fact that am
a womaa." said ZHdOra. smiling. Il
can take care Of myself. have been
able 10 do 10 thus Gar. lf 1t 10 posi-
ble 70 find lhe boy l'lI do It," ua.
And remember" said the father.
there as no depth TO my pocketbook
90 far as that boy d. concerned. But
God help those dastards II they are
cruel TO aim: Well. we'll trust the case
| 10 you. Mtss-Miss"- ..a...
"Keeme," said Zudora. "Zudora
Keene."
Good lack. and God bless you. Zu-
dora Keene." said che mother.
Poor thing!' said Zudora. when the
parents had gone. 1.-THE most despica-
ole being in the world Is kldnaper.
1t Is a vide game: and these men should
suffer the exact 6ate of murderers.
Think Of the little boy. suddenly bereft
Of mother love. surrounded by strange.
menacirx faces: Ii is horrible!" 49,.
The psuedo uncIe looked at her With
strange fires In his eyes. He admitted
| that kidnapping was a low crime 80 sar
as taking children away from their
parents aaaA holding them for ransom.
| with threats Of nsmtilation or death
he did not add. however. that between
kidnapping and abduction there was
wide difference IN Significance. The
truth is, Baird was wearying Of this
game he Eas playing. He wanted 70
be himself. TO play game Of his own:
he was yeting. and he wanted the lib
ertv that went with youth. There was
no doubt IN his mind that Keeneg the
READ Hassam An. was dying. He might
i've tOf several months. but neVerthe-
Iess hP had his ticket for the long
jourasey. Baird determined to play the
game out to the end: for HasSam All
had promised Dim a handsome bit Of
moner for hiH loyalty. He had seen
the Will. but 0d without certain
doubt. Wills could be destroyed quite
as easily HI they could be- pade. u,
When ZudOra received the invitation
TO Nine Du VaI's bali sIae was pug
zled She had among Der Acquaint
aDce 90 woman Ut that name, gbut
she found her name In the Dlue book
and decided tO attend out OF mere 60!
rioxity. She called up Storm and asked
mis- advice and was surprised to learn
rllat he had DeeD invited ALSO.
81 think we'd better ignore It." he
advised. e.. rs
but have SO little amusementT"
she pleaded. And 1t will be a lark
for both VI uS 1" .5-
IAN right. sweetheart; we'll 60 In
deed I'd like TO lind out why we both
were invited" fs4
Zudora went about the house next
day humming. so long as John was
going she was bound to have a good
time at the Du Val ball II would pc
AZ she mad said. a lark. Then came
the mysterious note warning her to
keep away from the Du Val house.
and this mute was signed. From one
who knows where the Van Wick boy
Ia" Nothing. Zudora determined.