The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-12-31

dare say he is at his club this very
minute, sir Shall l teIephone?"
No said the detective. TN run
over myself and break the news TO
him." Haggerty. distracted by a
sudden flood of recollection, missed
the cunning look which leaped into
the buffers eyes. Robert Van
vechten."
Yes sir
Now, / take it your employer Will
get back about Sunday morning.
This is Friday. Not a word outside
to living soul, if you love that
boy. Tell the servants that whisp-
er will cot them their jobs"
I'll tell you why. When a kid
naping story gets on the front page
especially when the son OF
millionaire is commemorative skunks
know that they they've got you half
crazy and willing to pay anything.
But If you keep 'em in the dark. you
get their goat. They'll wonder what
you're up to and sooner or later
they'll come out to learn. That's how
were able to get a line on them.
Understand"
yes SIR
Telephone me what train Mr. Van
Veehten will come in on so l can
meet him. l want to warn him not
4 IL
look about the house"
At quarter till one he got into his
taxi and rove off toward the Rotter-
Gam club. Secure in the dark of his
cab, he took out his torch and exam
fned the three articles he had found
on the roof of the Van Vechten
house, two led-pencils of soft fat
lead and a folded piece of paper,
heavy and uneven surface This
hnd toll
Vechten trap. One of the kidnapers
had thrust it into the adjoining sides
to prevent the wind from lifting the
trap.
Not bad for a starter" the de-
tective mused
Lucky bunch of mine. going up
TO the Golden garnet. So Roger Van
Vechten is the brother of the gay and
festive Robert, Ell? White Fighter
mixer, with sports and chorus girls,
uh-huh. Gee, but these millionaire
families always a black baa-baa in
the fold. So the brothers had a row.
Over what?
mo visitors permitted entrance
at this time of night, sir, unaccom-
panied by member" Haggsrty was
politely but grimly informed. when
he asked at the Rotterdam for Rob-
ert Van Vechten. The detective ex-
reluctantly admitted him. You will
Fave to walk up, sir. The club elev-
ators do not run after one o'clock"
That's all right, What number ?"
Twenty eight, sir
Robert Van Vechten was in his
shirtsleeves when the detective en-
tered the young mans quarters
trunk, lid back stood in the mid
of the room. and two fat suitcases
oln
IDENTIFY this younger brother was about
to proceed upon journey.
This is Mr.. Haggerty. I take it,
Nheedon telephoned me-
Haggerty nodded, Il bit chagrined
Is i joke or whats about little
Roger?'
Its no joke" said Haggerty drop
pnig into chair. His glance roved
hither and yon and absorbed every
salient feature of the room
Little Roge kidnapped. Why, this
will break his mothers heart"
Haggerty had his doubts "a clever
bit of work, too"
Little Roge, Where is his father?r
In kentucky"
Hank the nags,"
Have cigarette. No use worry
ing Haggerty extended smooth
silver case. The young man accepted
~ iiSeHdiiiStiiiy, Stitcteu cigarette,
and lighted it, Haggerty followed
his example and returned the case
carefully to his pocket. You look
about TO so away"
Yes, but that's off until we find
the boy The devils, If there is
anything a useless chap like me can
do. all you have to do is ask
We'll, you're the kids uncle. Sup
Pose you hang around town for
few days. I only dropped in to notify
you what's happened. and I'm going
to ask you to keep as mum as
clam" Once again Haggerty pro-
ceeded to explain his reasons. TIL
get the boy; never you fear
Outside Haggerty dismissed the
taxicab and marched off toward
home. When his mind was busy, he
preferred walking to riding. In the
morning he would give the finger
prints the "one-over" and then set
the machinery in motion to locate a
chauffeur who wore number fives
and walked pigeon-toed.
Detective Haggerty met Roger Van
Vechten at the Grand Central station
Sunday morning. Once in the limou-
sine, he explained what had hap
pened
Have you found any clues?" de-
manded the father, who was pale and
haggard.
ct think I've rot fhe ri fhts of IT