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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1943-06-24, Page 7THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE, THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE 24th, 1943 NEW SERIAL STORY • •• have to consider adopting a committee report which more informative to all that spending commit­ der if we let tWs crazy killer run ground loose/’ sgid Bruno, “You may take my word for it/’ Lane's voicet was will be no other finished/' West Englewood when a large police touring-car, flanked by two State troopers on motorcycles arid followed by a smaller car filled with detectives, came to a stop before the drive­ way leading to the DeWitt house. From the large touring - car emerged Jeanne DeWitt with Chris Lord, Ahearn, Imperiale, Brooks and Drury Lane. Ail were silent. The detectives swarmed from the smaller automobile and surrounded the party. “All of you Info the house,” said one, with an air of authority. “Or­ ders are to keep you together.” . The detective turned to Jeanne DeWitt and said, with a clumsy attempt at graciousnessi “I guess— Would you want to tell Mrs. DeWitt what happened, Miss? She’ll know, and besides I want to her assured. ’’There murders. X is was fast asleep .....c.1! !!'. IIJ.ifw-'w-g-iL !, iw- fi tion itself was alive with scurrying nowhere on the train and Thumm figures. A roaring automobile!asked: ”■ rushed out of the night and soon Thumm, Bruno and Dr. Schilling were in the rear car, “Murdered, hey?” Thumm looked at Lane. “How the devil did this happen?” Laue moved slightly, never forgive myself, , , /’ His carved features Dr, Schilling dropped to beside the body, “Plop through his epat, vest, shirt, undershirt and heart. Clean wound, all right,” he announced. “Dead about an hour, I’d say.” He consulted his wrist­ watch, then felt the muscles of the dead arms and legs. “Yep, died about 12:30. Maybe a few minutes before,” Then he uttered an ex­ clamation and held up the left hand of the corpse. “Look at these fin­ gers.” They looked. The middle finger was twined tightly over the Either of you,” he; forefinger in a peculiar sign, the I thumb and remaining two fingers Lane pulled j curved inward in death. With a! “What the devil—” growled j—i--.*, mi.Bruno bent lower. “It's impossible," he cried, “This isn’t the Middle Ages—that’s the protec­ tion-sign against the evil eye!” Dr. Schilling grasped overlapping fingers ,and until his face crimsoned, a board.” He looked up, “Thumm, suppose you try putting fingers together this way. Tight. The way DeWitt has his. Now keep them that way for a few seconds . . /’ The Inspector’s face flushed a little, hey, Thumm?" Examiner dryly, niest things in my experience.” “Who’s the conductor here?" asked Thumm. The older conductor replied: “I’m senior on this mn. Pop Bottomley’s the name.” “Recognize this man?” “Well," drawled Bottomley, “I was remarkin’ to Mr. Lane over here before you came that his face looked kind of familiar. I remem­ ber now he’s been takin’ this on and off for years, seems West Englewood, ain’t he?” “Did you see him on the tonight?” “He wasn’t sittin’ in my where I was collectin’ tickets, see him, Ed?” “I know him, but I didn’t see him tonight," said the junior con­ ductor. “When I got to that car up forward, there was a party there and one tall feller handed me six tickets and said there was another one had stepped out Never did see him." “You didn’t get to “I never thought car. Nobody ever goes in here.” “You say you knew DeWitt?" i “That his name? He took this I train pretty often.” “How often?” Ed lifted his cap and patted his bald head thoughtfully. “Can’t say how many times. Just on and off, I guess." Pop Bottomley thrust his ener­ getic little body forward. “Guess I can settle that for you. Y’seo, pardner and I take this midnight run every many train, book, which tickets, each trip and punch the ticket, and stub along the side, to make sure. All you got to do is add up the number of circle-nXarks-—they’re my punches—and the cross-marks—.. they re Ed Thompson’s here—and that’ll tell you how many times he took this p’ticular train, because We’re the only men on this run." Thumm studied the old book. “Pretty cute at that. Let’s see now, thirteen punches by your part­ ner and you. Means he took the train oftener thqn the regular com­ muting train around six . , . Now, let’s get some other things straight, Mr. Lane, just what did happen here tonight? How did DeWitt hap­ pen to get into this car?” Drury Lane shook his “What actually occurred Y do not know.” A detective reported Collins was eyes hov- I-Ie For a moment the three meg stood squinting. Then Lane turned his head abruptly, sucked in his breath , , . ■ To the left of the door was the usual cubicle found at the entrance of day-coaches. On the seat oppo­ site the front wall, head on breast, was the figure of John DeWitt. Lane's eyes narrowed. “DeWitt!” he gaid in a steely voice, shaking the quiet figure, The head rolled slight; ly, bringing,into view the blank of a corpse. Lane crouched and his hand ered about the man’s heart, straightened up, rubbed his fingers together and backed out of the com­ partment. “There’s bipod on my hand,” he said. “Please keep that door open, Mr. Brooks; we need light. At least until we can get someone to turn on the proper switch.” He stepped past Ahearn and Brooks to the platform. “Do not touch him. said sharply. Looking overhead, the emergency signal-cord, grinding of brakes the train jerked' Thumm. to a stop. Ahearn clutched at each other falling. Lane stepped across tion and opened the door to the car in which they had been seated. The door at the opposite end burst open and two conductors ran up the aisle. Instantly the passengers something wrong. Jeanne and Lord looked up, startled; Imperiale got to his .feet, a questioning look on his face. “Who pulled that emergency?” cried the first conductor, a small choleric man. Lane said in a low voice: “There has been a serious accident, come back here with me.” Jeanne, Lord, and Imperiale had run toward them; the other passengers thronged about, asking bewildered questions. “Mr. Lord, take Miss DeWitt back to her seat. Mr. Imperiale, you might stay here also.” Lane looked sig- nifigantly at Lord: the young man paled, then forcibly conducted the bewildered girl back through the car. The second conductor, a tall heavy man, began to push the crowding passengers. “Back to your seats.” Lane, accompanied by the two conductors, returned to the rear car. One of the conductors manipu­ lated a switch and the hitherto dim coach sprang into clear view. The edged ed to man. and Brooks to keep from the car-junc- sensed' your Please helping on the Wood murders, read about them, is John DeWitt, do you want us' to that all doors and are kept locked and smaller and elder conductor into the compartment point- the left breast of the dead “Bullet-hole!” he exclaimed. "Murder , . He straightened up. “Well, I’m senior conductor on this train, and the law says I’m in charge in any emergency . . .” “took here,” broke in Brooks, “this is, Mr. Drury Lane,* and he has been street and must heve . dead man street’s partner!” “You don’t say,” exclaimed the conductor. He looked doubtfully at DeWitt’s half-hidden face. Then he brightened. “Come to think of it, he does look familiar. Been taking this train for a long time. Okay, Mr. •Lane. What do?” “Make sure even windows guarded, at once. Instruct the en­ gineer to run this train to the near­ est station—” “There’s Teaneck, next stop along tjhe line,” volunteered the tall con­ ductor. “Whatever it is,” continued Lane, “make all the .speed you can. Ar­ range to call the New York police—■ Inspector Thumm, either at head- •quartets or his home—and District Attorney Bruno of New York ty, if possible. Also secure eVer authority is necessary to this train off the main track siding at Teaneck.” “Ahearn, it will be break the said Lane. Ahearn lips, but left the car The train, lights blazing, lay like a helpless Caterpillar in the dark­ ness of the rusty siding, The sta- Coun- what- shunt into a friendas DeWitt’s best yoiir unpleasant duty to news to his daughter Stiffened moistened his without a word. “I shall Inspector had aged, his knees , the two Struggled “Stiff as squinting. “Quite an effort, said the Medical “One of the fun- train like. train end, You for a minuted night, so we can tell how times this man took our Demme have that old trip- Y’see," he pointed to strips had bordered the missing “we take out the ticket on head. ■ Do You Suffer From Headaches? It is hard to struggle along with a head that aches and pains all the time. . 4A headache need not be an illness in itself, but it may be a warning symptom that there is intestinal sluggishness within* . To help overcomo the cause of headache it is necessary to eliminate the waste matter from the system. Burdock Blood Bitters helps to remove the cause of headaches by regulating^ the digestive and biliary organs, neutralizing acidity, regulating tho constipated bowels And toning Up the sluggish liver, and when this has been accomplished the headaches should disappear. _ Get B. B. B. nt any drug counter. Price 31.00 a bottle. t The T. Milburn Co., Limited, Toronto, Ont. ’Anybody rem ember if Col­ lins came back through this egr?” Thumm get old conductor turned tp one couple pf the route through these stations I’ve marked. Collins must have got off at one of ’em. It doesn’t look as if he could have got a train go­ ing back to New York, so don't for­ get to port to Station train, who did it left the gun here,” “I send have also the revolver from the train, “Good idea, that.” The sergeant Thumm went Lord held Jeanne “Sorry to trouble you, Miss DeWitt! but do you recall what you and Mr, Lord were doing after the train left Weehawken?” She looked at him blankly, only half-comprehending, “We were—• we were together most of the time. At first Mr. Imperiale sat with us, then he went off somewhere. We talked, then Chris left me for a few minutes . . Thumm straightened. “I’d like to speak to you aside, Lord . . , Doc Schilling. Will you sit with Miss DeWitt for a moment?” The two men went up the aisle. “Now, Lord,” said Thumm, “where’d you go?” “.It's quite a story, inspector,” re­ plied the young man steadily. “While we were coming over on the ferry I saw Cherry Browne and that seedy boy-friend of hers, Pol­ lux, on the same boat.” “No kidding!” said Thumm. “Hey, Bruno. Come here a minute.” “That’s not all, either,” continued Lord. “I saw them again in the terminal. They were- arguing about something. I watched when we got on the train, but I didn’t see them get on. Still when I became uneasy, what that Browne up to, considering tions she made against DeWitt. So I excused myself from Jeanne to make absolutely on the train. I weren’t. Then I “Did you look “God, no! How could I think they were there?” “All right. Get back to Miss De­ Witt; I guess she needs you.” Thumm beckoned a detective on guard at the forward door. “Get Duffy,” that bulky figure barged into the car. “Shoot back to town and find Cherry Browne and Pol­ lux. Phone me when you get a lead, and stay on it all night if necessary.” A man ran up to the inspector. “Just 'got a call from one of the gang that Collins has been traced! He hired a hack at Ridgefield Park and went back to his apartment. The boys are watching ders.” “Fine. Tell ’em to alone unless he tries I’ll be there in an hour or so.” The detective hurried out of train. Vast surprise leaped into Thumm’s face. For the square figure of Sergeant Duffy, who was supposed to be heading .for New York City, lurched into the car. “Duffy! What are you doing here?” Duffy swabbed brow; but he was a little detective Chief, I thought, this Browne dame hangs out at the Grant, I’d phone before I lit Clerk at the desk says she Pollux came in a few minutes ■fore I called, and went up to rooms.” “Good work. Wte’ll stop there on our way to Collins* joint. Yon beat it to the Grant, and keep an eye out.” “Well, Mr. Lane,” said Thumm, “does this crime verify your other ideas?” Lane smiled for the first tiinie since he had discovered DeWitt's body, “I not only know Who killed Longstreet and Wood, but I also know who killed BeWitt/' For the second) time a time-table from the and studied it then of his men, “Take a boys and retrace the question the taxi-driver. Re­ pie by phone to the Teaneck , . , Here search the whole It’s possible that the guy suggest,” said Lane, “that you men to search the route we traversed, inspector, It is possible the (murderer threw tf Duffy, take care of stumped off. to the seat in which in his arms. the train started I didn’t know woman might be the wild accusa- sure they weren't looked, and they felt better.” in the rear car?” it. Want or- leave Collins to sneak off. the his perspiring grinning. “Did work myself, seeing as how out. and, be- her since Thumm had met Lane ho shook his head like a fighter shaking off the effects of a head-blow, “Then Mr, Lane,” protested Bru­ no, “let's do something. This can’t go on forever. Who is it?” Lane’s face dropped into haggard lines. “It would do not the slightest good to unmask our Mr, X now. £ am playing a dangerous game, but haste would be ruinous, ” “But there may be another mur- to to (To be continued) Huron County Council (Continued from page 6) brought into Huron to help on the farms. Farm Workers -The counties quota of farm help­ ers from Western Canada was 20; Conscientious objectors were being brought in to the sugar beet areas of the county. Prevailing rate of pay is $50 per month for adults with board and $30 for boys. Mr. Shearer urged people in ur­ ban centres where possible to raise hens and pigs. He told of one town garage that had been turned into a piggery with splendid results. Council endorsed resolutions op­ posing an open deer season in Huron this year. Almost asked to from the to standard member spoke and rural reeves were as one m the opinion that daylight saving was a detriment to the farm­ er. ■Councl voted against- a change in the time honored manner of electing a warden-Liberal and -Conservative alternating. Only three of 29 were in favor of a change. unanimously Ottawa was remove daylight saving statute books and revert time, Nearly every Hear Social Worker ■fiVIr. Edwards and Mrs. M. Chaf­ fee, social worker with the society, briefly addressed the council. They assured the council that a case com­ plained of by Reeve D. L. Weir, Howick, conditions indicated no child neglect, but it was a case for relief. Reeve R. E. Turner, Goderich,, reported that the cable attached to the flag on the 80-foot flag pole in Court House Park had been cut twice in the last two months. It costs $15 to replace the rope, which Caretaker George James had found on both occasions lying at the foot of the pole. The matter was referred to the property committee. Reeve R. J. Bowman gave a port of the annual meeting of County Library Association, which he represents the council, stressed that the organization with its circulation of books is a real benefit to the rural communities served ‘by it. Children's Aid .Report interesting and illuminating of the work of the Children’s T. An report Aid Society was presented by H. Edwards, superintendent for Huron county, at the Thursday morning session of Huron County Council. “Another five months in a war year lie behind us in our work. Out' problems are becoming increasingly greater due to the effect of war, the chief of which is parental irre­ sponsibility. It is a problem that is a cause for consideration as well as concern,” it was stated. Investigations for the Depend­ ent's Board of Trustees has in­ creased to more than double the ordinary work. Though interesting and constructive this work has been handicapped due to the pressure Work in Ottawa and London. Good Foster Homes of Gratification is expressed in placing of children in foster homes where the children are happy, well dressed and as receiving training, “This Is phases of our work , . . to sec strange, frightened, unfortunate lit­ is people transformed into sturdy, interested, happy, normal children,” the well cared for, as well definitely constructive one of the happiest t%u Roll Them Batter With) OGDEN’S Z DOM IN l‘O N OF C A N A D A - DEPAR TME’NT OF NATIONAL REVEMU COUH GIBSON, 1 ncom^ tax Minister of National Revenue Adoptions have increased. The' unmarried parents/ work has not increased as in the larger areas. These problem children will need years of special physical care and supervision as their mental develop­ ment is greatly retarded and this is being done in a family group. Special attention has been given to the regular medical and dental examinations of all wards. Several of the older wards are in the armed forces. Sugar Beet Production Warden Tuckey stated that he understood that due to weather conditions a big share of the sugar beet counties is being planted, and practically* an all out effort is being turned , to that production. He gave this information when con­ currence was recommended in the resolution from Elgin county peti­ tioning the minister of agriculture that beet growers in the counties of Elgin, Essex, Kent, Lampton, Huron and Middlesex may receive such remuneration as will enable them to supply the factories at Chatham and Wallaceburg, On motion of Reeves McCann and Smythe no action was taken on the motion that the eminent be requested labor. A new flag will be the pole in Court House Bark, and the old one left draping the trance to the court room, A, passed to Reeve John Ferguson liullett in his serious illness. Fedcrai Gov* to freeze farm& 4purchased for en* resolution of sympathy was of Proposals Rejected The council turned down a mo. C. FRASER ELLlOtT; Commissioner oF Income Tax tion sponsored by Reeves Reid and' Wheeler that the Warden name a committee form of would be members; tees submit their estimates at the June session in open council; and that consideration be given to a method of electing the warden whereby every member would have a vote. water, and it is planned to fill them until no further settlement occurs. If the approval of the Department of Public Highways can be secured, the Auburn hill will be completed this year. Your commission, received quota-1 tions for Public Liability Insurance, and the policy of the General Ac- cident and Insurance company was accepted for $831.00; The road account at the end of 194'2 had a surplus of about $45,000, and when the department subsidy was received, it was decided vest this amount in Victory The warden expressed his ciation of the cooperation and the session concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. Road Report Adopted The report of the road commis­ sion was adopted as follows: Since the last meeting of the Council there has been considerable trouble on account of snow-blocked roads and floods. ’Our principal snow-clearing units Were out of action because of inability to secure repairs, and it is hoped that by next winter the suppliers will, have re­ pair parts available, The severe floods damaged our roads generally and washed out a few culverts. Most of the damage hag since been re­ paired with the exception of a cul­ vert in the Village of Gorrie, which is at present under construction, The supply of bitumen purposes has again been and since we were able to little last year, it will be if our roads do not suffer disintegration, The to be somewhat lighter, temporary bridge at damaged by the heavy the Spring breakup, it to rebuild this bridge. Several sections of road through swamps in East and West Wawa- uosh have been settling below the to in- Bohds. appre- given. tor road reduced, got very fortunate serious restrictions on steel appear and as the Ethel was Ice during is proposed I I Monthly Rnfea H©tel WoveHey Swmwma Avx. at Coixxe* St. RATES ssmw - JlAOfas S3XW DOTfeLB - fcSUMJ «MJO Special Weekly LL A ModerH «*■ .* otftrt... WRU CONOUCtlb . . * CONVJNIENTLY LOCATED HOTKL . . . Clone toParliament . University of Toronto, Mabie Leaf Gardena, Fashionable Shopping District, Wholesale lloneea, Theatres, Churches of E-wtry Denomination. A, M. PufejriD President ",