New Britain herald., 1927-03-17

OuSlE rom the lips or Lola, DlNnE and Bill Garfield.
 Diana, her arms thrown around her fathers neck. was sobbing and laughing alternately.
 Dad. Pop, What? Where, For five days. What under heavens hap pened ."
 The ;nrerrogations were being fired at the new arrival with ma chlne-gun rapiii,y.
 Hold on" protested Roger (Pop) Brooks. Give me chance 10 get my breath and II! tell you. although I really don't know myself what it's all about,' Pops voice rang out in musical boom.
 "Yes, yes, daddy.' cried Diana, eagerly. excitement turning her gray eyes almost black. We've just about died with worry" She sank down. limp. Now that he was back. all her composure was gone. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
 Pop Brooks ran his hand tender ly over her hair.
 "Oh-I forgot, in th' excitement" said Diana, getting up suddenly. We were on our way to tn Re ceiving hospital.
 As briefly as possible she told her father of Don's and Teddy's experience.
 He listened intently, bewilder- ment and anxiety playing across his count"nance.
 Wed better go on right out to them" he said when Diana had finished. T can tell you my story on th' way there.'
 Then you're not hurt--or any thing, Daddy?' she queried as they were entering the car Pop Brooks had presented her on her last birthday.
 No" he replied. i've not been abused in any way, although suppose l was kidnapped, according to all the rules and regulations. Was there any ransom asked that you folks know about?" he ques- toned, a humorous twinkle in his keen eyes.
 "Now. wonder" he went on musingly, after they had all re- rlied to his query in the negative. T wonder why I was abducted and then released like this-in just the same manner, Diana. as you. But let mo tell you as much as l know about it.
 Diana drove slowly, her mind barfI,. on what was ahead of the wheel.
 You all know how I left the office five days ago to go to lunch con" he said. Well. I'd walked ahout half q block from the Times when I heard someone call my name. I'd been walking close to the curb 10 avoid the noon-day rush.
 T turned around. curious. A man T don't know him-never saw nm before-was sitting at the wheel of q large touring car. He was beckoning me.
 You're Mir. Brooks or the Tin7es?" he asked as I stepped up -o him. told him I was. The next thing, as I remember, the door of tbo tonneau slammed open. hand reached out, grabbed me and l was literally dragged in and thrown on the back seat. And ] m no featherweight, as you'll agree. There were two men - and they were powerful fellows. One Of them stuffed a handkerchief - and damned dirty one. at that-rieht into my mouth. while the other held and blindfolded me. The car, of course. started off at once.
 "It was mystery 10 me, you un- derstand," continued Pop Brooks, his glance shifting from one atten- tive face 10 another. '1t was Ike 2. bolt ont of clear sky. ] don't know where we were driven nor how far. I heard the car stop after a while and I was ierked ont. The two huskies practically dragged me up a flight of steps. Then one of them spoke for the first time. "'You gotta da orders, you 1 Mike" he said swiftly. hnskily. Ton letta da bird getta loose an we bumpa you off, you see?' | "The voice carried heavy ac- cent. There was vicious threat In l what he said. of course. 4 door | closed. Someone took the handagc from my eyes and the dirty gag i from my mouth. Lord, can taste i that rag yet.
 "The next instant I found myself face to face with a huge negro in a fairly well-furnished room. ] 1 tried 10 induce the negro to ex- plain the reason for my being there. But he refused to tell thing
 "What did the men look like i the ones who brought you there?"