GIRL KIDNAPPED.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144083, 30 April 1913, Page 6

GIRL KIDNAPPED.

MYSTERIOUS MESSAGES. A remarkable letter, added to the mystery of the disappearance from home of Miss Dorothy May Vanse, daughter of Mr. F. Vanse, stationmaster at West Cliff, Whitby, a few days previously. Her parents received a telegram, wliich had been handed in at a post office in the Wpst End of London:—“Safe and well. ■ Impossible to send news. Write later.” Her parents subsequently received the following letter, which was desE atehed from London, the envelope earing a south-western district postmark:—“Dear Mamma, —This is really awful, isn’t it? I have been trapped, kidnapped, or something, by some people, and could not escape—not just yet at least. They are a woman and two men. She is passing off to people as my sifter; rather like me, but lighter hair. Unfortunately, I have no money with mo—s.Jd to be precise—so had to cadge sixpence from one for a telegram. I simply could not let you know sooner. -Hope your wore not awfully, harassed. Have been ill, but feel better now. Awful haste. They are coming. Will write when I get a chance again.—Love from Dolly. PS. —Got mo in oar in Upgang Lane, also dogs. Have you got them back yet?” Like the telegram the letter bore no address. TOO ILL TO WRITE. When his daughter first disappeared Mr. Vanse instituted a searching inquiry. She left home, accompanied by two "dogs, witli the intention of going for a walk, and a dog whip she curried was subsequently found near her house. More than one person saw her at Upgang, and subsequently she was seen going in the direction of Ruswarp. She left her dogs in the waitingroom at the station, and it was thought she took train to Malton, where she was recognised while on the platform by a Whitby resident, and then proceeded to York, where she stayed the night. Her subsequent movements, or bow she was conveyed to London, are not known. • Nothing further of. a definite nature transpired regarding the whereabouts of the missing girl, but the following type-written letter was received by Mrs. Vanse the next morning“ Dear Mrs. Vause, —Your daughter desires me to send you a message to let you know that she is still in the land of the Jiving. She is too ill to writs, but is well cared for, and w© think on the road to recovery.—Dennison Monroe.”

It is generally believed in Whitby that the girl is stiff in London, and that tlie Brighton letter was a hoax. LONDON, March 17. Miss Dorothy May Vause, the Whitby girl who disappeared from her home some eight days ago, arrived in London from Paris on Friday. She crossed from Dieppe alone, and was met at Newhaven by a brother. The latter declined to make any statement regarding the circumstances of his sister’s disappearance.