“Well, for one thing he purchased a revolver. He seemed to be afraid of something. I can’t say what it was. He always laughed when I asked questions.”
“H-m,” the detective meditated. “And where did he keep the revolver?”
“It was in the desk.”
“It’s not there now,” Randall informed. “You heard no shots fired, Miss Burnett?”
“Oh, no. Only the struggle as I told you.”
“It’s possible your father recognized his assailants and in self-protection they were forced to kidnap him,” Randall suggested thoughtfully. “Their real motive may have been robbery.”
“Then why didn’t they take Mr. Burnett’s pocketbook?” Madge asked pointedly.
“They may have overlooked it.”
Madge made no reply although she took scant stock in such a theory. It seemed to her that the detectives were conducting only a routine investigation, that their interest in the case was only perfunctory. And Mr. Randall’s next words deepened this impression.
“There’s no need to worry, Miss Burnett. We’ll find your father but it may take time. If it’s a case of kidnapping for ransom, you’re sure to hear within a few days at most. In the meantime, we’ll do all we can, and keep in close touch with you.”