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


proved to his satisfaction that his
hands had been the first to touch
them in months.
Not a toothpick missing said he,
frankly puzzled.
What were they after. them
Search me. Wait a minute" Hag-
gerty infinitely examined the stair
rail. Here are enough finger
prints to fill book. I'll get those
tomorrow Now, let's take a peek
through all the rooms
They proceeded to do so, but with
cut the least trif1ing reward
This kind of gets my goat said
the detective.
Mine, too admitted Hartman.
I'll get the caretaker in the morn
ing. He keeps in touch with the
precinct, doesn't he?
Phones every morning, and / take
look in at night"
who lives on the right?"
Morris. They're at Palm Beach"
And on the left?'
Van Vechten.''
"Uh-huh. Well, I'll go up and cut
off the spark. Wait here for me.
But as Haggerty entered the garnet
store room he saw something he had
missed on the first visit A step
LADDER STOOD IN the fnlGuiv VI the
room. On the floor were two or
three fading waterstains, melted
snow.
Haggerty stepped up the ladder.
detached the hooks, and threw back
the trap. When he returned to Hard
man, the policeman saw that the de-
tective had stumbled upon something
of vital importa
= "Hikelr said Haggerty. Nothing
has happened in this house. It's
next door, the Van yechten's. Come
on
The steps leading to the Van vech-
ten residence were spotless. un-
touched Haggerty rang the bell
vigorously. After a while an aged
butler, patiently aroused from the
land of dreams, answered the sum-
mons.
rs Mr.. Van vechten in?s asked
Haggerty.
mo. sir, he's at the stock farm in
Kentucky over Sunday, SIR" The
butler then noted the BRASS buttoned
uniform beyond the detective.
What's the trouble, sir?"
I'VE don't know. But some ones
entered the Golden house next door,
crossed the roof and entered this by
the trap"
Better let us in to have a look.
said Haggerty. I'm "a detective
from headquarters. Come along.
Hardman''
Good heavens. sirm
Haggerty and the policeman pushed
into the hall, and the butler followed
bewildered
ANY valuables in the house?
MIR. Van vechten's collection of
emeralds The safe is in the library
I'll show you the way, sir
The safe had not been touched.
why haven't you been in bed?"
Il fell asleep in my chair, sir, after
I put young Roger to bed
Young Roger?'
Mr.. Van vechten's 'five-yea old
son. sir
rs the mother with the father?'
"She is spending the winter in
Italy'
"Uh- huh" Haggerty shrugged.
The society mother was and always
would be a species beyond his range
of understanding. They just had
children, that was ALL Catch Mile
going away and leaving William
Haggerty, Jr., with the hired girl.
Suppose We go up and see If the
kids all right"
The butler became animated in
stantly. He went up the stairs two
at bound. Haggerty and the po-
liceman close at his heels. They
burst into one of the rear rooms.
Haggerty. peering over the buffers
shoulder, saw a child's cot. 1t was
empty. A choking sob broke through
the old servants frightened lips. and
he leaned, shaking. against the door,
jamb.
Everything was clear to the de-
tective. The cry of the butler went
down into his heart. Kidnapersi The
meanest game the crooks play in
their war against society Haggerty
laid his hand on the buffers shoulder.
"No time for wailng Wire your
master to return at once. Don't men,
ton kidnapping. Just say the kiddie
met with an accident. Here. lard
man, you take the address and tele-
phone. And order me taxi, too;
may need it,"
"All right Mr.. Haggerty." Hard
man jotted down the address and
went into the hall for the extension
telephone.
What's your nance asked Hag-
gerty of the trembling butler.
"Wheedon, sir
Where are the rest of the SER
vants?''