Professional Documents
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VANISHING LADY
THE MYSTERY
OF THE
VANISHING LADY
BY HELEN WELLS
________________________________________________________
CONTENTS
________________________________________________________
CHAPTER
PAGE
II
FOUND: A BANKBOOK
14
III
23
IV
33
MR. BARKER
48
VI
NOT AN ACCIDENT?
60
VII
70
VIII
85
IX
NIGHT FLIGHT
100
111
XI
SECOND CHANCE
128
XII
THE WALLET
141
XIII
VICKI OVERHEARS
155
XIV
PETEY
173
XV
187
XVI
DENTONS STORY
199
XVII
206
217
CHAPTER I
office shack.
Bill and Vicki parted on the run. See you around
later, pigeonmaybe he called. Or Ill phone
you tonight
The messenger from Fairview Hospital had
arrived with a small chest of vaccines. The rest of
the CAP fliers had their various supplies and were
ready to go. Vicki stowed the chest on the cabin
floor of Bills Piper Cub, up front beside the pilots
seat. She was careful to keep it out of the way of the
pedals and the stick.
Engines sang as the covey of private planes
warmed up, then taxied. One by one they rose into
the gray sky and streaked away. Vicki glanced at her
wrist watch as she banked and turned, keeping a safe
distance behind Ralph Mosleys Cessna and above
Mrs. Di Pernas little red plane. Six-thirty.
From the air she saw that life was at a standstill in
flood-torn farm lands. In some villages, streets were
under water, and houses had collapsed in the muddy
churning flood. Halfway to Opossum Run, Vicki
saw a knot of people in a rowboat wave frantically
at the planes. The aircraft dipped their wings in
reply: We see you. Well send help to you. Ralph
Mosleys ship was equipped with radio, and he
probably was reporting that rowboats location right
now.
Vicki knew exactly what she and her CAP group
6
13
CHAPTER II
Found: A Bankbook
shouted.
Fine! he shouted back. Beats me
He landed, also without any difficulty. Discussing
the way the plane behaved, Vicki mentioned her
passenger. Maybe the old lady put her foot on the
left rudder pedal, the flier commented.
Vicki was puzzled. I dont think so, and she said
her feet were on the floor, but
Elderly people get confused sometimes, the
flier said. Bet you a dollar to a doughnut that thats
all it was.
Vicki felt relieved. She thanked the man warmly
for his trouble. They shook hands and off he went in
his jeep.
Eleven-thirty, her wrist watch showed.
Vicki sat down on the rubber-tired wheel in front
of the plane door to rest a bit. What a hectic
morning! She wished the old lady would return
soonshe was hungry as well as a little tired.
Eleven forty-five. Where was the old lady?
Vicki was worried. Maybe she should never have
let her start out alone. Maybe she had lost her way
of fallen down or met some other disaster. But her
passenger, though elderly, had seemed sturdy and
self-reliant.
Nevertheless, Vicki got to her feet and hiked to
each corner of the pasture, overlooking the roads.
There was no sign of activity, nor any houses, just ii
20
CHAPTER III
32
CHAPTER IV
Edward Denton.
Is thatis that
Thats right, the cashier whos missin. Havent
you seen the evenin newspaper, or heard the radio
tonight? She shook her head. Why, honey, you
look as if youd seen a ghost. Whats the matter?
Nothing, Bill, nothing at all. Good night, and see
you tomorrow.
He went off whistling. Vicki watched him roar
off in his yellow roadster. She was glad she had not
blurted out something that might get him, as well as
herself, into trouble. There was no need for Bill to
know at this time that the name in the passbook the
old woman had dropped was Edward Denton.
47
CHAPTER V
Mr. Barker
school somewhere.
I see. But you yourself, Mr. Cox, didnt see
much of Edward Denton?
Thats correct. Except that during this week just
past he stopped in several times, on his lunch hour,
on personal business. Our records show that Denton
purchased a couple of small savings bonds this
week, and then on another day he asked my advice
about financing a mortgage. I believe Denton had
his eye on a cottage for himself and his son. In fact,
he was so eager he came twice to ask about that
cottage. The bank manager shook his head.
Wherever Denton is now, Im sorry for him.
Im sorry for Richard Workforth, said Vicki.
The tool-company guard? Yes, well, we all are.
Week after week, Ive seen Workforth trudge in here
with Denton, and chat with our own guard while
Denton stood not an arms reach away, and nothing
happened. Then yesterday I suppose Workforth
shouldnt have taken his eyes off Denton even for a
moment. Still, its too bad.
Their conversation seemed to have come to a
natural end. Vicki thanked the bank manager and
rose to leave, when she remembered one crucial
question.
Mr. Cox, did you or anyone working here see
my old-woman passenger in the bank yesterday
morning? Vicki gave an exact description. Or did
53
about her.
Vickis cheeks burned. She started to stammer
something when Bills mechanic yelled for Bill to
Come help with this wheel. Bill, looking
concerned, moved off. Vicki had to face Skip Barker
alone.
Im dreadfully sorry about your mother, she
started. I did what I could to help her, and I hope
you dont hold me responsible for
Oh, no, miss! Not at all. Iuhknow how she
is. Well, I guess you know what Im going to ask
you for. I want you to fly me to the spot where you
made I hat forced landing, so I can hunt for my old
lady. Please, miss.
It was an entirely reasonable request. Except for
the fact that Skip Barkers mother might have been
the one who dropped Edward Dentons passbook.
Vicki hesitated.
I realize how you feel, Mr. Barker. But you
shouldnt worry too much, really. Your mother is
probably safe with your sister by now in
My sister?
Why, yes, your sister Emma whos sick.
Oh. Sure. Emma. He lit a cigarette before he
spoke again. My sister Emma. Thats right. You
see, me n Emma dont get along very good. He
took a long, nervous pull on the cigarette.
Thats too bad, Vicki said carefully. Your
57
59
CHAPTER VI
Not an Accident?
69
CHAPTER VII
lady.
Certainly an armed and ruthless woman, possibly
a member of a gang, was no one to fool around with
singlehanded. But that was what her plan called for.
What alternative was there?
I ought to think this over more carefully before I
act, Vicki cautioned herself.
But every minute countedif it wasnt already
too late. Vaguely she remembered she had left the
hospital without saying good-by to Lynn. Shed
telephone or explain to Lynn some time later.
Should she go straight to the airfield now?
Fear, perhaps, sent Vicki to a phone booth. She
dialed home, instinctively wanting some advice or
support for what she was about to doalthough she
certainly would not alarm her family in advance!
Her mothers voice, though they talked only of
everyday matters, bolstered up her courage.
Richard is here, dear, her mothers voice said.
Richard who?
Workforth. He was let out of his job. He came
over here, just after you left this morning, all upset.
Dad put him to work repotting plants. The Fairchilds
offered to hire him next, and then well see.
An old man thrown out of his joba young boy
the victim of a deliberate accidentherself about to
risk a long chancethese were strange
circumstances. Partly the aftermath of the robbery,
71
made today.
She followed the footprints, cautiously at first,
then as fast as she could slough across the damp
pasture. The footprints led toward the deserted barn.
If I had any sense, I wouldnt go a step farther!
Vicki thought.
The barn was an evil-looking place, large, faded,
half-rotted, andas Vicki found when she reached
the doorwaydark inside. Not a sound except the
dripping of rain water came to her. The barn smelled
sourly of neglect and age. She did not want to go in
there. She called out:
Hello! Hello? Is anybody there? Then she
remembered Skip Barker. Mrs. Barker? Are you
there?
A voice answered her, eerily. Who you calling?
Vicki glanced into the shadows for the source of
the voice, but she clung to the doorframe, and kept
one foot outside.
There was a fumbling and rustling somewhere
above. Then Vicki heard the creak of wood. A figure
slowly came down the ladder from the half-ruined
hayloft. In the dark, the figure was shapeless and
unidentifiable, and moved awkwardly as if carrying
something.
Hello? Vickis voice sounded thin. She backed
out into daylight.
The shapeless figure stepped through the barn
76
77
84
CHAPTER VIII
would have bawled her out if he had seen it. But she
hoped to startle the old lady so that she would be too
rattled on landing to slip away.
The plane wheels touched ground with a bump.
Vicki taxied fast along the edge of the strip, slowing
gradually, as a man with a light gun on the runway
signaled her. Stopping the plane, Vicki opened the
top half of the door and started to unlatch the bottom
door. As she did sobefore she could parkthe old
woman squeezed past Vicki, pushed the bottom door
open, and hopped out.
Forward a little more! the lineman shouted to
Vicki. All right, you can tie down.
Vicki, out of the corner of her eye, saw the old
woman running across the airport at a brisk gait,
clutching the big bag tightly. Even before Vicki
could get out of the Cub, she saw her passenger melt
into a group of people and buildings. Vicki belatedly
became aware of the linemans shouts.
I dont think I need to tie down, after all, she
called back.
The lineman shook his head as if he thought she
was crazy. Vicki, however, was obliged to tie down
for a few minutes while she paid a landing fee. Then
she was finally at liberty to look for the old woman.
By that time, in the distance, all figures looked alike.
Her passenger had vanishedagain.
Nothing to do now but fly back to Fairview. St.
92
questionin.
Because of Bills stricken face, Vicki forced a
smile. I was half-expecting that, she said, and it
was true. I found the bankbook of the missing
cashier, you know. I guess the police want to talk to
me about that.
Yes, and about some peculiar people youve
been associatin with.
You, for instance?
Bill could not laugh. Vic, why do you take such
crazy chances? I mean the old woman, and you
know it.
Im in it. I cant stop now. Vicki slowly drank
the last of her coffee, considering. When do the
police want to see me?
They said as soon as you got here. Right away, I
figure. If you like, Ill drive you to the police
station.
On the way there, in Bills noisy yellow roadster,
Bill again talked about the danger of dealing with
the old woman. It was now generally known that she
had caused Harold Macks accident.
Her son, Skip Barker, didnt seem so bad, Vicki
puzzled out loud. Not the most solid citizen in the
world, but not in the same class with the old lady.
You seemed to like him, Bill. And you talked to him
about an hour, didnt you?
Mmmm, while waitin for you to show up. I
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98
99
CHAPTER IX
Night Flight
110
CHAPTER X
127
CHAPTER XI
Second Chance
CHAPTER XII
The Wallet
amusement park.
But it isnt open, Miss Barr. Its a warm-weather
place. Though I think it opens soonwait a
minute. He leafed through the newspaper until he
came to a large advertisement. Here we are.
Mississippi Park opens tomorrow.
Tomorrow! After she had said good-by to Mr.
Clerke, Vicki walked back to the bus route. How
could she stay in St. Louis overnight and possibly
for several days, when she had brought no luggage
and only enough money for the day? It was already
midafternoon.
She considered flying back to Fairview at once
and starting out afresh tomorrow. But it would be
difficult to return to St. Louis much before noon
tomorrow, and that meant a morning wasted. Worse,
Vicki suspected that her family would insist that she
remain at home to rest, and that meant an argument.
And she might lose the argument, too. She
remembered with exasperation the time she had
been in St. Louis with the old woman, the time she
had been here for her Federal job, and had wanted so
badly to stayand it had taken her all this time to
get back here.
Im here now, finally, and I must stay here,
Vicki thought. Of course I could sit on a bench in
Union Station all night. Thats a safe place and no
charge. Wouldnt I be a wreck tomorrow! Whats
149
send
Never mind, Cora Wilson said. Im only a
little bit bigger than you. You may wear some of my
things. Well pin em here and pull em in there, and
theyll fit you.
Vicki giggled. Ill be doing my sleuthing
practically in disguise. You havent a black wig for
me, too, have you?
Wearing different and older-style clothes than
usual was not such a bad idea, Vicki thought, as she
began to plan for tomorrow.
154
CHAPTER XIII
Vicki Overhears
Yes, fine.
Vicki sat watching. Skip Barker and the men
were climbing out of the first taxi and entering an
ordinary cigar-and-stationery store. She waited until
the last man was inside, then paid her driver and got
out herself, reluctant to abandon the safety of the
cab.
She felt conspicuous, vulnerable, on the street.
Barker might stroll out of the store at any minute
and see her. She crossed to the same side of the
street as the cigar store and hugged the buildings,
noting spots where she could duck if she had to. A
ten-cent store had a wide, deep entrance; she could
stand in there and still see Barker through the plateglass windows and the display of merchandise.
Vicki made herself stand there three minutes by her
watch, in case the men came right out again.
However, it was very unlikely that they would take a
taxi to this particular cigar store if all they wanted
was to buy cigarettes. Her heart pounded.
What are they doing in there? she wondered.
What goes on in that cigar store?
Vicki moved cautiously down the street. One or
two people glanced at her but went on by. She
passed a small butcher shop, a shabby radio-repair
shop, and next came the cigar store. Vicki hesitated.
Out in front stood a stand with newspapers. She
fished in her purse for coins, dropped the right sum
159
Vicki did not catch the last name. It was not
Denton, of that much she was sure. Then was the
Petey they talked about not Dentons son?
Sure, its simple.
The plan did not sound simple or even clear to
Vicki who listened in horrorkidnaping!and in
fear lest someone discover her now. Belleville. Was
it near St. Louis? Go to Belleville and ask for Petey
Bla
You look the most respectable, Skip. You go to
Belleville, said the deep voice. And Snorky and
Tiny go. You bums remember to wear ties and shave
that day.
Hey! It was Barker again. What do I tell em
at Belleville? Were goin on a picnic, huh?
No, Skip, no. You couldnt fool em with that.
Say its foruha trip to the dentist.
Was this a code phrase? Vicki wondered. Did it
stand for kidnaping? Like taken for a ride
What day, boss?
I know somepin, said a younger voice eagerly.
Friday theyre havin a track meet with another
school. Yep, at Belleville, right in the hick village.
Therell be a lot of people around, so the job would
be a cinch on Friday.
Kidnaping Peter from the school on Fridaythen
these men, using the boy as hostage, could force
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172
CHAPTER XIV
Petey
pleasure.
Dr. Clements suggested that they could visit at
leisure in the music room. Peter will show you the
way. If youd like to stay for lunch, Miss Barr?
Oh, no, thank you, I wont detain Peter from his
classes that long.
Well, good-by, then, Miss Barr, and come
again. The headmaster escorted her to the door and
shook hands with her. Have a good visit, Peter.
But she hadnt told himnot even hinted!
Thered be no second opportunity, for Dr. Clements
was a busy man
The music room is this way, Miss Barr, said
Peter.
She murmured good-by to the headmaster and
followed the boy across the wide center hall. Classes
were changing, and other boys glanced at Peter and
his visitor and his cakebox with envy. Peter tried to
appear nonchalant. He escorted Vicki very politely
into a handsome sitting room where a grand piano
filled a bay window. They chose a couch and sat
down rather self-consciously. Vicki saw that she
was going to have to do most of the talking with this
shy boy. She could not connect him in her
imagination with the bank robber. That made it hard
for her to talk, too, at first.
Well, to start with, why dont you call me Vicki?
Im not so awfully much older than you.
178
so?
Vicki nodded. She understood very well why the
headmaster made particular efforts to befriend Peter,
and felt grateful to him and his wife. Apparently
Peter had no home to go to on vacations.
Did you hear about the big meet this Friday?
Peter asked her eagerly. St. Olafs is playing
Grover Military Academy, and a lot of people are
coming down. Wouldnt you like to come? Im only
a sub on the baseball team, left outfield, but Im one
of the cheer leaders. Weve been rehearsing. I can
hardly wait until Friday!
I wish I could come, but I dont think Theres
something important scheduled for this Friday.
The meet is important. Dont you feel well,
Vicki? Shall I bring you a glass of water?
No, thanks, dear, Im fine. Vicki recovered
herself and smiled.
You know, youre my first visitor in a long
time, the boy confided. Now that he had found his
tongue, he seemed glad to talk. My father is too
busy to come here very often. Its sort of
embarrassing on Parents Day. He didnt get to
come for Christmas exercises, either. Once a friend
of his, Mr. Barker, came to see me. But he didnt act
very nice and I hope he doesnt come again.
Vicki gulped. I hope not, too.
I dont want to give you a wrong impression
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186
CHAPTER XV
meaningless.
If anything happens to you, your mother will
never forgive me. Ill never forgive myself
Dont worry. I have to go now.
The station clock said ten minutes to twelve.
Vicki took up her post at the stamp window. For the
first five minutes she stood there making a
conscious effort not to look around for the plainclothes men. Knowing they were close by,
surrounding her, was enough. She never would have
dared this encounter alone.
Was Denton somewhere in this block-long
marble post office right this minute? He might very
well be anxious enough to come early. So many
people walking back and forthmaybe he could not
see her? After all, there were three stamp windows.
Vicki began to stroll slowly between the three
windows, around and back, around and back. Surely
Denton could see her now.
Six minutes to twelve. She knew several pairs of
eyes were upon her, and she did the best she could
to keep in a cleared area for the detectives
convenience. They might have to move fast.
Three minutes to twelve. Vicki kept on with her
strolling, but now she was sorting out faces of
passers-by. That man? No, too tall. That one? No
glasses, though. Did Denton regularly wear glasses?
As the cashier and as the old woman, he wore
189
198
CHAPTER XVI
Dentons Story
205
CHAPTER XVII
ordered.
My last bow, The Actor said ironically. My
big exit scene.
Two men took him out. Vicki thought with relief
that she would never have to see that man again.
But Skip Barker cockily seemed to think he still
had a chance himself, and was slow to discover that
the girl in the room was Vicki Barr. His eyes
popped.
Miss Know-It-All Barrhere?
Barker would have been ludicrous if he had not
been vicious. Vicki was relieved to know Peter was
safe from him, and from all the men she had
overheard in the cigar store. It was good to know the
meet was now taking place simply as a happy
afternoon.
Barker, we have a few questions to ask you,
said Captain Taylor. What did you do with the car
you drove to Fairview?
I never had no car.
Denton admitted that you rented a sports car.
Oh, that car! All right, all right. A grin spread
over Barkers face. I did rent a car but only because
Denton told me to, see? Denton wanted it to make
his getaway in, see?
What did you do with the car, Barker?
Who, me? Welluhas a matter of fact, I got
rid of it. Hid it, you might say. See, Im bein honest
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CHAPTER XVIII
surprised.
Theres a partial account of the Belleville events
in the early edition of the evening newspaper.
More about Peter? Vicki asked. Oh, may I
please see that newspaper?
The story was boxed with a headline: Late
Bulletin. Under a St. Louis dateline the news item
read:
St. Louis police announced early this afternoon
that they rounded up and arrested members of the
notorious Cat Gang, in the village of Belleville, on
charges of illegal possession of firearms. Belleville
is the seat of St. Olafs School, and rumors of a
planned kidnaping circulated during todays meet.
The police at first denied the rumors but, after the
arrests, admitted a kidnap threat had been made.
The police moved quietly in order not to throw the
crowd at the meet into a panic. Captain William
Taylor withheld the name of the threatened child.
Dr. John Clements, headmaster of St. Olafs, also
stated that it was to the childs best interest not to
release the name. The childs family has been
notified that he is safe.
224