Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-12-11


the Chronicle, scratched HIS be.d -,
handsome, clean-cut face troubled. IA Wv
that was just luck" he declared rooa.s,
~. But when a girl like Corinne Hard
iis can vanish into thin air one day. an,
h her Ia,ner be asked to cough up a coo
millions for her the next day. whv vs.,
can gamble that there's a pretty bje an
Pietty smart organization behind the kid
mapping. Oh, well. Steve Rrodi,
TOOK a chance, and he's not going to bav,
awning on me. I'll try"
CDeying one of his own self-deyeloned
rules, Go first to headquarters n vo,
want to learn anything" the voung re-.
porter hurried to the Harding mansion on
ruin Avenue and after some little dim
cuiy gained an interview with John
iiaraihg himself That the president OF
the Leather Trust was heart-broken al
mo loss or his beautiful daughter was
o o from MS heavy. lined face. At
nfst ne was inclined to dismiss Tommy
1rant CURLY; but there was something In
/ that young mans keen, level glance and
annette build that inspired confidence and
! IN lew minutes he had learned all that
the worried father knew.
II was mighty little. Corinne had been
out shopping on the afternoon of ber ais
appearance, and had last been seen in
oook store on quiet side street. Hard
ing had hardly had time to become alarm
ca before he had received the letter de-
manding a ransom
May see that letterT' Grant asked at
once az
Tne elderly man took folded slip of
paper from n drawer beside him and
handed II over silently.
And the envelope? Thanks. HIM, all
typeWritten-and the machine was slightly
out or order See that W? It's out of
alignment"
believe you are right" exclaimed the
leather magnate. becoming interested,
said:
Your daughter is safe I'm our hands
We want 100000 to return her safely 10
YOU Notify us by an ad. In the Chronicle
IL you agree. when we will give you fur
lher instructions. We warn you that un-
less tho money is paid at once your
daughter Will sufferNhe consequences.
Grant read 1t over twice, and grunted.
nke copy of this, II you don't
mind he said
MI Harding nodded and pressed a but
ton at the edge of his desk. On the en-
trance of rather strikng-looking girl |
from the next room he said, Miss Carter
q Ike duplicate of this letter at once, |
please" No'
The efficient secretary brought It hack |
WIN copy In few seconds, and Grant |
studied the original again with puckered |
proMs. He compared il with the COPY.
and suddenly his face lighted.
BY George Mr.. Harding" he exclairn-
ca, here's the most important clue of
az! lie held the paper up TO the light.
See that watermark, l happen to know
It's new brand of paper, and IT will be "A
omen to trace up the sales and then run
down the author OF this letter-especially
since We can identify the typewriter!'
Did YOU want me any further, sir?"
asked the secretary, and on Harding's I'M
patient head-shake she went out as quiet
nate was much excited.
Young man. he exclaimed warmly,
you've done more In two minutes than
the chuckle-headed private detectives ac-
romplished In as many hours! What is
the next step?"
But already Grant was following a new
clue. He picked up the telephone on
Harding's desk and made an imperative
gesture for silence. His lips formed the
words, IAN extension?'' and Harding nod
led. bewildered but impressed
For more than a minute Grant stood In
perfect silence with tho receiver pressed
% his ear and an intent look on his face.
Once he smiled grimly, only to look blank
,sain; and once, when Harding seemed ,
about to speak he shook his head furious |
y. At last he hung up with a decisive
gesture. !
Now listen. Mr. Harding" he whisper /
I'd swiftly, twas that your touring car {
standing in front of the house when / {
anne imp II
"Surelyi Why?" =
Gimme written order for II as quick I
Ii the Lord'll let YOU" He was juggling
he hook impatiently. "Your daughter In I
Hello? Police headquarters. quick! Your
laughter will be taken aboard the AL 4
,anic, which sails In half an hour-hello?I
Gimme Cadogan." IL