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

after ten days, You do not succeed.
I'll handle the affair myse1f-pay a
hundred thousand if need be for his
safe return. But once l get him.
Heaven help the men who have done
this thing! I'll get them if it takes
all 1 have in the world"
That's the way to talk The boyll
be back all right, and you won't have
to pay anything either. And when you
get him and want to prosecute, why,
that's up to you
Absently the father reached toward
corner of the car where there was
a glass vase filled with white carna
tfons. He pulled out one and drew it
through his buttonhole. The lines in
his face were very deep. To the
detective he looked like a man whose
soul was tired.
well. if you don't mind, Mr.. Van
Vechten, I'll drop off here. Your
house may be watched, and I don't
want to be seen. Ill~report by tele-
phone every evening after six. They
won't take the boy out of town. The
railroads are all being watched.
There won't be any trouble in spot
ting him.
The limousine drew up to the curb,
and Haggerty stepped out. As the car
shot forward again, he shook his
head. Some little old world, be-
lieve me! Well. that five thausond
looks like four thousand to the good
up to now. I'll tip Mil1ie and see
what she has to say"
Haggerty was a real detective. He
made mistakes because he was hu-
man, but his methods of procedure re-
duced the possibility of mistakes to a
minimum. He had made a science or
his business, and to the science he
added that spice of Imagination that
makes the true detective.
At 1870 on the evening of the tenth
day-Tuesday, to be exact-Detective
Haggerty made a deposit at the po-
lice station which covered the terri
tory in and about that district which
included the Golden and Van Vech-
ten mansions. The god, Buddha, was
a noisy conversationalist beside this
prisoner, and his smile was a good
deal like Buddha's.
He was a Japanese, wore number
fives. and walked pigeon-toed.
I'll make you talk later" said
Haggerty, haven't got the time to
{ bother with you now. Hey, Sarge,
hold this guy on an open charge
till l get back"
Haggerty returned to. his taxicab
and gave an uptown address.
At o'clock Robert Van Vechten
heard a knock on his door. Come
in" he said.
Forbes. the artist, entered.
Hello, Mort! Been telephoning all
over town for you, and couldn't To-
cate YOU" was Roberts greeting.
Whats on your mind now?" asked
the artist.
I'm going over to Roger with that
Blake paper. I've got to get it off
my mind"
Tonight"
yes. Don't know how he'll take
it, worried as he is over the boy
Very we'll" The artist sat down.
IT feel pretty rocky but if you think
Roger will pay any attention to that
paper, I'll back you up
I'm in a hurry about it because
his lawyers say he is about to make
a real move. And they tell me that
this paper will forestall him.
Had your dinner"
Yes
Well. let's get the thing done.
It's rather distasteful job. If you
want my opinion"
A heavy hand fell upon the panels
of the door.
Come in" said Robert irritably
Haggerty walked in, smiling cheer
fully. Hope l don't intrude.'
Not at all. Any news about the
boy2"
"a whole lot. This is Mr.. Forbes.
the artist, l take it,
Forbes stood up. "And you are
Mr.. Haggerty that Bob here MAS been
telling me about. I recognize you
from his descriptions
''Uh-huh. I've got some questions
to ask Mr.. Van vechten.. said Hag
gerty tenderly placing a bundle on
the table and taking off the strings.
Want to, get rid Of me9" asked
Forbes.
mo. Mort" interposed Robert,
you're welcome to hear anything
MIR. Haggerty has to say"
wei, where were you between the
hours of and ! o'clock the night
your brothers. boy was abducted?"
Having shot this bolt. the detective
calmly proceeded to undo his bundle.
where was To- Robert was puz-
zled.
yeah Haggertv nodded.
From the opened bundle he took
two lead pencils. lead pencil box. a
silver cigarette case. folded piece
of paper, and an ordinary drinking
goblet. He set them gravely in a
row.
yeah Where were you. Mr.. Van
Vetchen. during those hours? Sit
down. Mr.. Forbes, there's no hurry.
and you're bound to be interested.
for fbau7 foil me- rnu'ra cor,afbir0 Of