KIDNAPPED BABY

Evening Star, Issue 23745, 28 November 1940, Page 15

KIDNAPPED BABY

POLICE MESSAGE TRANSFORMED A HOME The change in atmosphere around th# home of Count Marc de Tristan from morning to alternoon offered a contrast that would fascintae any psychologist and warm the hearts ufi all who sympathise with the victims ot: a kidnapper, wrote a Californian correspondent of the Now York ‘ Times,' from Hillsborough, the other day. The transformation wrought oy, news that three-year-old Marc de Tristan, jun., had been recovered salc.y[ and that his kidnapper had been captured seemed to be reflected even ia the stately white mansion itself. In the morning tbe house was heavily shuttered, as though to keep within all the sorrow _ caused by the abduction of curly-haired Marc—onlv child in the home—and the implied: threats against his life. The street was deserted except for an occasional curious motorist.

The only sign of life about th® house itself was an open garage door, through which the count had driven to church to pray for the safe return of his son. Inside the house, the child’s attractive young mother moved about, dryeyed, but restless. Around her. he® mother, her stepfather, her brother, her sister, and other relatives tried to distract her attention lest her emotions break and she collapse. All were anxiously awaiting word that the kidnapper was ready to take the IOO.OOOdoI ransom money. Mary Foley, the nurse from whom the boy was 'snatched, quietly wrung her hands, o r sobbed in the seolusion of her room. Then, earlv in the afternoon word' came that the bahy had been found. Miss Foley screamed with joy. Tho men shouted. The countess’s sister burst from the house crying the joyous news:— “ The baby is found. He’s alive and

safe!” The countess ran from one to another, exclaiming; “ This is the happiest day of my life.” Happy shouts and laughter could b® heard in the street, where crowd# began to gather in such numbers thai the police roped .off the sidewalk and ordo re d the curious off the lawn. The great white house had • com® hack to life and laughter.