The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-25

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1923 is absolutely absurd. What authority have you for your statement?"
 By way of reply, the reporter handed him long, narrow slip that he rummaged from a drawer of his desk.
 Here is a proof of the story wired us by our Laurens correspondent" he said. "It explains everything"
 With trembling fingers the lawyer grasped the sheet and hastily perused the matter thereon.
 The statement of the reporter was es- sentially correct. The context of the story was to the effect that Gordon Bristow had disappeared from Laurens in mysterious manner snortis tter the inquest, at which Nerissa Selden had been charged with hav- ing slain her father. He had apprised no one of his departure or his destination, not even his partner, Colonel lBainbridge. All efforts to trace his movements had been futile, and suspicion had directed itself so strongly in his direction that warrant had been issued for his arrest.
 Bristow dropped the proof with a groan of dismay. "This is-is damnabler' he
 
 groaned.
 ''We would not have used the story in our bulldog edition save for the fact that a warrant had been issued," Vignolos ex- plained "Of course, the interview with you which we shall run in our next edition will appreciaby reduce any effect the first story produced. If I can be of service"
 You can-most assuredly.''
 The attorney threw aside all reserve and told the reporter everything that had tran spired in the case as far as he was con wrote the story. It was destined to occupy several columns, and an hour passed before the reporter had completed the work Then Vignolos turned to the lawyer.
 q am going to ask the old man to give me continuous assignment to this story until the whole mystery is cleared up," he said.
 q could ask nothing better," responded Bristow. A great faith in the reporter had grown into his mind. Here was man, he told himself, who could solve the mystery if, indeed, it was within human solution. "Now, think it best to telephone to Colonel Bainbridge and get this embarrass- ing affair concerning myself strengthened out'
 Vignolos indicated telephone booth near at hand Bristow immediately called his partners residence. Colonel Bainbridge was at home. The pair held lengthy con- versation. It was eminently satisfactory. Cn1apo1 Poi,, ,hrid Pr,e no fear of serious results from the manner in which his name had been connected with the case. He displayed marked interest in the lawyers recital of his adventures since arriving in Cincinnati and advised him to return to Laurens at once, unless he could hasten the solution of the mystery by re- maining away. The warrant against the young attorney, he said, would be quashed without difficulty.
 Upon consulting a time table, Bristow ascertained that no train left for Laurens until the next morning. But he determined to take the first one at any hazard, although he was reluctant to leave Cincinnati while there was the slightest hope of getting trace of Nerissa Selden.
 Vignolos returned. There was light of satisfaction on his thin, dark face.
 "The m. e.-our managing editor-says I am to devote my time exclusively to the Selden case until it's conclusion," he an- nounced. T will get my goodnight in moment, after which we can go to your hotel and plan our campaign
 Ten minutes Ger the reporter and Bris- tow emerged frSh the Tribune office and made their way down Sixth street to hotel