Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 81, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1911 — Page 3

The Vanishing Trick

Taken from the Archives of BnlHvants, Limited, the greatest inquiry and detective agency of modern times

By FBEDERICK REDDALE

QUESS you’d better let me give you the story from the very beginning,” said Manley, the white-headed butyounglooking special agent of Bullivan.ts Limited, the great Inquiry agency, "sketching the Incept tion of the plot as 1 pieced it together aft- ; erwards otherwise ; you’ll never get a clear i idea of the cleverness | and cunning by ! the conspirators.

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' "I had been over to Paris! on'another Job, and passing 'through London on the way back I naturally looked in at the main works. There they told me I was Jußt the man wanted to handle a very peculiar case—the disappearance of one of our leading American'millionaires.” With this introduction Manley snipped off the end of fresh panetella, lighted the business end carefully, and then reeled off the following story: .

Col. Appleton Biddle, bird-of-prey,’ financial pirate, and freebooter, was floundering in deep water. Latterly he had bestowed the distinctive sunshine of his presence upon the moneyed circles ,of London, where he yaa ostensibly engaged in an endeavor to float sundry and divers American swindles disguished as copper prospects, Bilver mines and 'on wells. But Col. Biddle’s luck had failed of latß, and he found himself in financial straits. Not that hs was by any means “broke;” he could still lay hands on a few .thousand dollars. Nevertheless a grand coup was essential — which would enable him to retire and -live respect■ably thenceforth and forevermore. Two confederates were needed and found in the persons of Tom Stoner and Sam Dragoo, a brace of American sharpers likewise down on their Itujk. These worthies Biddle Invited To a quiet dinner on Sunday afternoon at his “little place” which was named “The Willows,” near Marlow-on? Thames. The dwelling had formerly been the dower house .'of a much larger mansion, a quarter of a mile away, known as Marlow manor, .now owned by Danby Dallas, an expatriated American. In process of time the smaller place had become sequestrated from the parent property, and was - now rented separately,. though only just outside the park vfall of the manor. To his satellites Col. Biddle outlined his plot. In brief, he had conceived the idea of kidnaping the neighbor millionaire in his own house and bolding him for a stupendous ramsons! - ' .

“Some time next week we’ll turn the trick,” said Col. Biddle, “about Friday or Saturday, according to circumstances. To show you how easy it is, remove your shoes and . follow me.” The chief conspirator brought forth a pocket electric lamp, saying: “You won’t need your hats, boys.” At the «ad of the lower hall he opened a door, which led to the cellar of the cottage. Proceeding to a disused wine bln at-one end, lighted'by the tiny spark in the torch he carried, the colonel pulled aside an empty crate, seized a rusty Iron ring In the floor, and raised a wooden trap. There was disclosed a short flight of stone steps, wet and gleaming with moisture In the rays of the light. “I stumbled on this quite accidentally.” explained the colonel, “and after a little exploring the idea came pat. Old country houses over here are full of these forgotten things, some of 'em dating back hundreds of years. Mighty handy this must have been during the good old times to those in the secret up at the manor yonder—for that’s where It leads to! Ghme on, boys—l’ll show you!” whispered Biddle, setting forth at a good pace into the dark void ahead. They were in a narrow brick-lined and paved tunnel, the trend.of which was slightly downward for about half a thousand feet; then the ascent began •gain, until they came to a narrow winning stairway of apparently built Into the thickness of some massive wall. Three flights of these steps traversed; then the lettß& stopped before an apparently blfnk partition, but which was really a cunningly fitted door. Pointing to this, the colonel whispered, with a triumphant gleam in his cold gray eyes: 7 “That lets right Into the sleeping room of Danby Dallas!" Now, when I came into the case I was told to see a certahf Sir George Kensett, who was engaged to marry Dandy’s daughter. We met at his club, sad having been put Into possession of. the main tacts I was enabled to at once proceed with my questions. ' / " “Any developments?” I Inquired. “Not a -morsel!” declared Kensett disgustedly. “Moet mysterious thing you ever heard of. Fancy! Danby Balias, one of the best-known men in two continents, drops completely out

lOopyTishtb IHB> by W. G. Chapman)

of human sight and ken without leaving the slightest trace! Goes to his room at 11 p. m., and some time between that and the next morning he vanishes —bed evidently untouched, never an article of clothing or Jewelry missing except y?hat he is known to have been wearing, the lights switched off, and not the slightest, evidence of a struggle or of any violence! That’s three days ago, and we’re not a bit wiser now than we were then! It’s a most confounded mystery, however you look at it! Mr. Dalles hated publicity and scandal above all things.” _ I thought it advisable to look over the. ground in person at Marlow manor. All over the house I went, upstairs, downstairs, and In my gentleman’s chamber—the suite occupied by Danby Dallas. Result, nil. The trail was positively and absolutely blind, save for two curious facts which might or might not possess any significance. Dallas’ desk stood open, its pigeon-holes crammed with papers and letters, a large cheque-book in full view. “I’ll have a look at this,” said L taking' it out; “it may give us a clew." I turned to the last strip of used stubs —there were five to a page—and noted the number. The next series of 'five stubs were completely blank, but aIT the correspondingly numbered cheques were missing! “That’s queer,” I thought. The other item consisted in the half-con-sumed stub of a fat black cigar rested on a corner of the mantel, which 1 carefully scrutinized, and then Quietly confiscated. “What do you think about It all?” Kensett Inquired, as we stoed on ihe terrace after their tofir. “One of two things is cersS.in,” I answered. “Either Mr. walked out of the house .of his own accord, and has left the neighborhood for some particular private reason, desiring his whereabouts to remain unknown; or. else he had been lured away or abducted, and is being forcibly detained for some nefarious object!” \ v;

'’He’d never do such a thing!” ex* claimed Kensett “It must he the other thing—he’s been kidnaped! But how, and by whom?” “That’s what I propose to find out” was my answer. Those missing cheques, with no stub entries, look suspicious to me—your prospective fa? ther-in-law was a most methodical man. It may spell blackmail! But If the man Is on earth —ami he can’t be very far away—l’ll find him!" Now here is what actually happened when Col. Biddle’s pretty plot was ripe: Danby Dallas was enjoying a beforebedtime cigar on a divan in his large and softly-lighted sleeping apartment The clock in the stable turret had just chimed the three-quarters after 11. Presumably all the household were in their littte beds. Suddenly the millionaire rose on one elbow, and turned his head. He had been aroused by a sudden draft of cold and damp air which invaded the pleasant warmth of the room, and sent the smoke-wreaths from his cigar whirling ceilingward. And this is whpt he saw: Beside his bed, the usual smooth and flawless expanse of polished old oak paneling reaching from floor to frieze had given place to a yawning black cavity the size of an ordinary doorway. In this aperture stood three men, the foremost of whom had him covered .with a'very business-like revolver of the most approved pattern. The two fellows in the background were similarly armed. 7 “Hands up!” commanded the leader Jn the smoothest and silkiest of voices, ~a half-consumed cigar poised between the left thumb and forefinger, as Dellas sprung to his feet in amazement. “Hands up, Mr. Dallas! I’ve got you covered!” Every American knows the meaning of those two magic words. His hands flew above his shoulders, all ten digits extended. “What does this Intrusion mean?” sputtered the astonished millionaire, "I— ,r A “Silence, if you please,” commanded our friend, Col. Biddle. "Busings* first;' talk later.’’ Then, stepping aside, he motioned his confederates forward, saying;, “Tie him up, boys!” Stoner and Dragoo came into the room, produced a cowboy’s lariat, with which they proceeded to deftly and scientifically truse their victim hy the ankles, elbows and wrists. “Gag him!” ordered Biddle, whereat ■n folded-silk handkerchief was securely tied over the Dallas mouth. Then a chair was placed behind the now helpless man, and he was gently but firmly pushed into a sitting posture. “So! All neat and shipshape,” commented Biddle, as he slipped the revolver Into his hip-pocket, deposited his cigar on one corner of the mantlepiece, apd drew up a second chair, in which he seated himself close to the prisoner. Speaking very quickly, but none the less distinctly, he said: “Now, Mr. Dallas, we ale going to lake you with us. No matter where to or why—yon’ll learn all about that

later on. The question Is, will you home quietly end on your own feet, giving us your parole to malm no disturbance, or must we go further, render you completely helpless, and carry you? We Intend to do you no personal injury, but you travel with ue jnstanter. Understand? Tou hear what I say, and you can move your head. Nod if you mean ’Tee;’ shake your bead if It’s ‘No.* ” So saying the colonel significantly held up to view a bottle marked “Chloroform” and a Sponge. Dallas waa helpless—what else could he do but nod an affirmative? Better go wherever bis captors intended in possession of his senses than insensible and inert. Biddle rose with a nod of satisfaction. “Blindfold him,” he commanded Stoner, and when this was securely done, “untie his feet and take off his shoes.” - Then “Off with you, now; I’ll tidy up and follow you.” Their backs turned, Biddle In two strides reached the desk and the cheque-book of Danby Dallas. He took it out, fluttered its leaves until he came to the first blank page. This he deftly tore at the perforations, and was thus in possession of five blank but consecutively numbered cheques on the London and Westminister bank. Then the colonel quickly restored the twp chairs to their places, gave a swift glance around the room, and was at the heels of the others In a foment, sliding shut the secret door, which fell into Its groves, with a fajnt click. In a few minutes all four were in the cellar of The Willows. Then up the cellar steps they proceeded, the blindfolded man being carefully guided and coached, into the hall, where a soft slouch hat was placed on his head, and out onto the lawn sloping to the river. A couple of rods brought them to a little wharf, where could be dis-

cerned the outlines of a long, lean gray boat, setting so low In the water that the gangplank from dock to deck made a very slight incline. The latter gained, the captured millionaire was piloted below, led to a tiny cabin lighted by an electric bull’s-eye in the ceiling and with a single dead-light in the side. He was led to a fairly comfortable bunk, gag and blinders were -removed, and while he- was staring dazedly around, the doughty colonel stepped to the door, saying courteously: “Make yourself comfortable until morning, Mr. Dallas; we’ll have sonje further conversation then.’’ Biddle’s cue, you’ll understand,” continued Manley, “was to strike quickly. So next morning he interview the multimillionaire,’’ "Two hundred thousand pounds—a million dollars in round numbers — that’s quite a lot of money. Col. Biddle,” remarked Danby Dallas. ‘To me —yes,” was the frank reply; “to you—poof—a mere bagatelle!” . “And if J refuse to be bled?” inquired the multi-millionaire quietly. “Some things- may be purchased too dearly, you know.” “No price is too great t<t pay for liberty and perhaps life,” was the colonel’s grave response. “But you have not refused—you’re going to take a sensible view of the transaction, Mr. Dallas, and give up like a sport.” “But,” said Dallas, “you surely do not imagine that 1 carry any such sum as two hundred thousand pounds in my vest pocket!” “All arranged for, my dear sir,” retorted CoL Biddle airily. “You've merely to sign a cheque. You bank at the London and Westminster, I happen to know.” So saying, he produced the sheet of blank cheques which he had abstracted the night before. “Are you ready?” he queried, the light of unholy victory in eyes and voice. “When the devil -drives, you know,” retorted the millionaire with a wave of his white hand. “Thanks for the compliment,” bowed Biddle, ironically; “I’ve been called worse names in my time —but it’s all in the game.” While speaking, he produced a fountain pen and a blotter, handed the former to his victim with a flourish, -tearing oft one of the ’ A • CV:

chequea and placing it op the little table. Danby Dallas filled in the dateline, the amount, affixed his name, and pushed the slip of pinkish paper across the narrow table. “And now,” he said, rising, “I suppose you have no further use for me, Mr. Biddle?" * “Here you stay until this hit of paper goes through the bank,” responded the colonel. f Now the clews which -1 actually possessed in this case were of the slenderest—only the butt of a halfsmoked cigar and the fact that some blank cheques were missing! Either or both might prove valuable or worthless. The missing cheques might he accounted for on the supposition that the millionaire had gone away of his own volition, taking them with him. Any hank in Europe would honor his signature for any conceivable amount It might be possible to trace ■the man’s movements through the cheques. The cigar stump presented a differ-ent-problem. “The man who smoked that cigar," I thought, “probably knows more about the matter than anyone else. Wonder if I can find him? It’s surely a big contract to undertake in that village they call London.” But nevertheless I carefully wrapped the halfsmoked stump In a piece of tissue paper and put it in my wallet. I also decided to make some inquiries concerning Col. Biddle in the “city” and among she American colony. At the United States consulate, and also at the American embassy the redoubtable colonel chanced to be well-known, and not too favorably. "A bad lot, sir!” said the consul, and "ought to have been clapped in jail long ago!” was the verdict of the

American minister’s secretary. Next, calling on a wholesale cigar dealer in St. Mary Axe, I produced the precious cigar stub, saying: “Could you tell me the name of that .cigar and where it may be bought?” The expert took the “butt” to the light, smelled it, and promptly answered: “That’s a fine piece of goods, made in Cuba, and quite expensive. It’s called ‘La Madria’—what we term a perfecto. Costs a hundred shilling a pound—say ten guineas a^hundred —at retail. Would you like a box?” “If you please,” said I, laying a tenpound note and half a sovereign on the counter. The box of cigars was brought, opened, and compared with the stub. Eveh the non-expert could perceive that in shape, color and aroma the two matched perfectly. Around each cigar was a gold band marked Madria.” My next errand was of a more delicate nature. In every move I realized that I must be very circumspect in my inquiries. Turning into the London and Westminster bank on Fleet street I sent my card in to the manager, and was shortly ushered into an inner office. “What, can we do for you?” inquired a dapper little man with mouse-colored mutton-chop side-whis-kers and a clean-shaven mouth and chin. “I wish to make an inquiry concerning one of your depositors—Mr. Danby Dallas, in fact,” said I, going direct I to thd point. .. “We are not In the habit of—” “Pardon me,” I said quietly “I am aware that my request may seem quite out of the ordinary, but I beg you to believe that my motives are entirely honorable” "Why not apply to Mr. Dallas’ solicitors?” “Because they cannot give me the exact Information I require. “And that 1*—?” said the manager suavely, matching the finger tips of either hand. * “I want to know whether you have cashed any checks signed by Mr. Dallas for any sum, within the last few days, numbered between 1824 and 1630 inclusive?” “But, my dear air," began the manager half deprecatingly, half indlgumt-

‘ f • * I ]f.\ "By what right do you, « peridot stranger, expect me to answer such a Query as that? I don’t know you, sir, and I must refuse, sir—unqualifiedly 1 ” “I rather thought you would," I rejoined. “But I’m going to ask you to do something else, and that is, don’t honor pny cheque bearing any OL those numbers unless you are perfectly sure that it is presented in the course of legitimate business. “Quite impossible, my dear sir, I assure you,” was the emphatic answer. "The cheques of Mr. Dallas we shall be glad to honor for any amount —always provided, of'course, that they are genuine.” "Well, be sure they are genuine,” I retorted as I turned to the door, and with this parting shot left Mr. Anderton. "So far honors are even,” I thought. “One success, one failure. Now for the jackal himself.” Calling a hansom toThe curb, I gave the address in Lombard street which the embassy had given as being the latest lair of Col. Biddle. I found the office easily enough—a suite of three rooms comfortably furnished. There was in the air an aroma of rich tobacco. “Col. Biddle?” I inquired of the office boy, who responded by nonchalantly motioning with thumb over shoulder, and a laconic: “’E’s in* there.” So I stepped through the middle room to the last of the series, literally following my nose. The colonel himself, In the act of strapping a bulky portmanteau, rose to his full height and* faced me, rather suspiciously. “Col. Biddle, I presume?” my name, sir,” was the prompt answen “What can I do for you?” He made no motion to sit down himself,-nor did he offer me a chair. Instead: “I must ask you to be brief, as I am leaving town right off, and my time is limited.” As he spoke he turned and took from the top of his desk a lighted cigar from which the smoke had been rising in blue spirals, ana restored it to one corner of his mouth. I could have sworn It was a La Madria!” “I wished to consult you about some mines In the States concerning which I am told you are an expert authority, Col. Biddle,” I said, dropping Into a chair, thus compelling the adversary to do likewise. “My friends say I do know something about the subject,” admitted the colonel modestly. “What’s your proposition—gold, silver or copper?” “The latter —Montana,” I answered laconically. “Are you buyer or seller?” Inquired Biddle. “Buyer,” was thS prompt reply—- “ That Is, if everything is straight and the price is not too high. As to which I had hoped to be guided by your advice.” “I'd be delighted to go into the proposition with you,” said the colonel, “at some time,” his suspicions apparently allayed. “Do you smoke? Yes? Try one of mine," handing out a cigar the exact mate of the four then reposing in my case!-” “Can’t you give me an early appointment?” I queried. “Not an hour to spare before next week,” responded the colonel. “I’ve Just got back from a little —er — yachting trip; and I’ve got to make up for lost time!” There seemed to be more humor in this remark than the words warranted, and the colonel threw back his head laughing heartily, showing a set of teeth with peculiarly square edges, displaying a gaping cavity in the left upper "Jaw caused by the loss of two molars. Into this cavity, his merriment over. Col. Biddle carefully restored his cigar. I had seen all I wanted. "Shall we say this day week, then?” I inquired nonchalantly, as I rose. "At your, service,” bowed the colonel. I reached the street in a ferment. The strange cigar-stub found in Dallas’ room bore the Imprint of exactly such teeth as were possessed by Col. Biddle. The dual proof of the brand of cigars and the teeth-marks were conclusive! Biddle and none other had been In Danby Dallas’ chamber on the night of the millionaire’s disappearance! But what to do with the information now that I had it was the burning query. I could not have the man arrested on mere suspicion. However, much I might suspect, I could prove nothing—not even the fact that Dallas was absent other than by bis own free wilL But I could and would have him shadowed. Clearly It was time to take some one into confidence, so I drove to the Yeomanry club, where I hoped to find Sir George Kensett. Meantime Col. Biddle proceeded to catch the boat-train for Southampton and Paris to wait for things to “blow over.” The great coup had been carefully planned and cleverly carried out With Dallas’ cheque deposited in the colonel’a bank, the transfer of the £200,000 followed. Recalling Dragoo and Stoner, and paying them off, left the colonel with free hands, and he rightly reckoned that Dallas would'pocket the loss grace--fully. When I reached the cltlb I found Sir George nowhere about There was, however, said the porter, a man waiting to see him'in the strangers’ room. You may imagine that Danby Dallas passed a dreary 24 hours after Biddle left him on the occasion of the cheque-signing episode. His wants were regularly attended to, and his scanty meals Berved by the two men who had. assisted in his capture. Torn by fits of impotent anger at the gross indignity which had been put upon him, chafing at the enforced inaction which kept him mewed up in'Uß)' tiny cabin helpless and powerless, suffering under the confinement of the stuffy Interior, the millionaire could neither sleep nor eat. He managed to unship the little bull’s-eye porthole, but the four-inch aperture afforded merely a glimpse

of the outer world. Ec far a* he could judge, the motor boat was mowed in some auiet stretch of wa> ter, but he could form no idea s* to his location. Although he kept his face In the porthole as long as daylight lasted In the hope of being able to hall some passing craft, even this slender hope failed as night descended. As a mattlr of fact the Stiletto lay on the Kentish side of the river, near the mouth of the Medway. On the second morning a brilliant idea occurred to him. At dinner the night before his captors had served a pint of poor claret, and the half-empty bottle still stood on the tabled He would use it to send a message to the outer world! Ripping a leaf from his pocket memorandum book he wrote with his fountain-pen: “I am forcibly detained on a motor boat somewhere in the lower Thames. Come quickly to the rescue. “DANBY DALLAS." f On the other side of the leaf he penned these words: “Finder deliver this at once to Sir George Kensett, Yeomanry club, PaU MAH, London, and receive large reward. DANBY DALLAS.” The slip of paper carefully rolled, he deftly inserted in the empty claret bottle, rammed the cork in tightly, tied a white handkerchief round the neck , and quietly dropper it out of the porthole. Then he sat down to possess his soul in patient waiting. Two days passed. On the late afternoon of the second day something happened. Thejre were sounds on deck of tramping feet and the splash of a boat in the water alongside. With his eyes glued to the porthole Dallas distinctly saw his jailers rowing Bmartly shoreward. That night the motor boat was silent and deserted, and the electric lights were not turned on. The poor millionaire spent the hours in hunger, cold and darkness, hopeless and helpless. Apparently his bottle-message had gone out to sea unnoticed. But not so. The man whomT found wafting at the club proved to be a Thames waterman of the Gaffer Hexam type, plying the river. He had picked the bottle out of the water on an idle Impulse, and knocked off its neck, thus finding the message within. Half fearing that It might be a; hoax, he made his way to the city by the first train. - “This will be about the best day's work you’ve ever put in!" I exclaimed. “How soon can you put me on the spot where yon picked this up?” o’ three hours if we ketches a fast train to Erith. Ibicks it up jest off th’ powder works s>thdre.” I had him by the arm and into r a cab almost before he had done speaking. “Cannon street station on the jump!” I cried to the Jehu, and in half an hour we were on a Southeastern express. “Where’s your boat?” I inquired when we alighted at the Erith station. "Right ’ere, governor,” was the rt> ply. “We’ll be aboard In arf a mo’." “Can you get a couple of stout fellows to help us?” was the next query. “There’s ten pounds apiece for theci and 50 for you.” “I’m your man,” was the reply, “an' I knows th’ right parties.” As wa struck the shingle of the beach, Mr. Joseph Cordell, as the werry-man described himself, whistled twice with; his fingers between his teeth, and immediately there rose as though out of the water a couple of amphibious fellows who, at 'Cordell’s command, "atch ’old!” slid the skiff into the water with me in her, leaping in themselves as she floated. "Where to, sir?" inquired Cordell, his oars suspended over the water. “There’s a motor boat moored somewhere near,” I answered; “been here for some days, I guess. You men seen anything of such a craft?” “W’y, that must be that ere gray thing over yonder. Y' can see 'er frome ’ere, sir-*~right in line wi’ th* church!"

Following the direction of the man's outstretched arm, I could faintly discern the outlines of a long, low craft, the gray color of her sides almost blended with the fast-descending night “That'll be her, men. Give way smartly!” Under three pairs of sculls the light rowboat fairly flew through the water, and in ten minutes we were bobbing against the Stiletto’s side. “I’m going aboard!” I exclaimed. “Two of you come with me, the other man remain alongside.” We gained the dark and silent deck. Apparently the craft was deserted. A little com-panion-hood showed amidships, which I promptly descended. “’Arf a mo'!” shouted Cordell, “ ’Ere’s a lantern,” and he came clattering down the cabin steps at my heels. t “Anybody below here?” I shouted. There was an instant’s sHence, then a feeble “Help, Help!” and an unmistakable rattling of a doorknob, to say nothing of a vigorous application of the toe of a boot to the lower* panels. “By heaven, he’s there right enough!” I exclaimed, as I made in the direction of the sounds. The key was in the lock, and a quick turn released the captive, who stumbled into the narrow passage-why, exclaiming: “So you did get my message?” “Less than five hours ago; I cams as quickly as possible." • v '' “I don’t doubt it,” was the agitated response, “but get me .away from here, I beg of you. tam nearly dead with anxiety and privation.” . . We caught Bidd}e in the Gare de Lyon at Paris Just as he was about to step on board the express for the south. Our man had kept on his heels and a cable to the French police did the rest. .He had most of the money with him in English banknotes, which, of course, we recovered, but the man himself escaped extradition and punishment simply because Mr. Banby Dallas dreaded the publicity.