The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-07-03
ssTHE BLUE LIGHTS"

down the long avenue of syring-
as and lilacs. ''The sweet peas
are nearly ready to bloom"
Richard Duvall, looking as sim
ply pastoral as though he had
never tracked an international
crook to cover, raised his head
from the flower bed, in which he
had been carefully setting out
circle after circle of geranium
plants.
Are they?" he laughed.
That's good. Now all we need
is few good, hot days"
Grace put her arm through her
husbands and together they
strolled across the springy green
turf, smiling and happy. The
honeymoon showed no signs of
waning.
This old country place, in
Southern Maryland, had been
one of Duvall's dreams for years,
and after his marriage to Grace
Ellicott in Paris, 1t had become
hers as well.
Grace had encouraged her hus-
band in the plan Of giving up, for
the time at least, his warfare
against crime, and had persuad-
ed him to buy a farm and settle
down to the life of a country gen.
tleman.
His office was still maintained,
under the direction of an assist
ant, but Duvall gave little or no
attention to its affairs.
Il got the new hedges all set
out today" Grace went on, as she
patted her husbands rather
grimy hand. "They will be
charming against the gray stone
of the wall"
He turned with Grace to the
great vine-covered side porch and
sank contentedly into a rocking
chair. well. little girl-it's
been a busy day, and I'm tired.
Here, Don-come back here!
What's the matter with your"
He rose and whistled to the dog,
which was bounding across the
lawn in the direction of the road.
Its some one coming in" said
Grace.
A moment later the servant
came out to the side porch. Gen
tleman to see you. Mr.. Duvall,"
she said. Seems in a powerful
hurry, too"
"All right, Aunt Lucy" said
Duvall, as he made his way to
the front of the house.
rs this Richard Duvall?" the
visitor asked, as the detective
joined him.
THAT is my name. What can
do for your"
"My name is Hodgman-
Thomas Hodgman-of New York.
l represent John Stapleton."
John Stapleton, the banker?"
asked Duvall. surprised. 81
handled a case for him some
years ago."
Duvall's face became grave
He began to realize that the in
terview was likely to become sud
denly important.
John Stapleton, the multi-mil-
lionaire banker, was not in the
habit of sending messengers to
anyone without good reason.
so he said," went on Hodg-
man. That's why I'm here
He wants You take another. case.
Quick!"
Its quite out of the ques.
tion."
Nonsense! Moneys no OBJ.
ject; name your terms"
1T isn't a question of terms
Mr.. Hodgman. have with
drawn, for the time being at
least. from active professional
work"
you must listen to what
have to say, Mr.. Duvall. at any
rate. The case is most distress
ing. Mr.. Stapleton's only child
has been Kidnapped"
Duvall sat up with a start,
every line of his face tense with
professional interest. "When?"
Where?"
I'm Paris. The cablegram ar
rived this morning. Mrs. Staple
ton has been spending the win
ter abroad. Mr.. Stapleton was to
join her this month. She is liy-
ing at their house in the Avenue
Kleber, Paris. The child was out
walking with a nurse. 1t has
been stolen. That's all | know. !"
Il suppose the thing is q mat
ter of blackmail-ransom-"
Very likely. No requests have
been made, as yet. These fell
lows usually wait week or two
before showing their hand, to
give the parents a chance to wor-
ry themselves half to death. OF
course you can understand how
Mr.. Stapleton feels.