Loading...
The Wingham Advance-Times, 1938-02-10, Page 6FIRST INSTALMENT Pistrict Attorney Markham looked sharply at his old friend Philo Vance, "Do you like kidnappings?” “Not passionately,” the detective answered, his face darkening, “Beast­ ly crimes, kidnappings, About as low as a criminal can sink.” His eye­ brows went up. “Why?” “There’s been a kidnapping during the night I leafned about it half an hour ago. I’m on my way—” “Who and where?” Vance's face had now become sombre too. “Kaspar Renting. Heath and a couple of his men are at the Renting house in 86th Street now. They’re waiting for me*” “Kaspar Renting . . ” Vance re­ peated the name several times, as if trying to recall some former associa­ tion with it. “Is it number 86 West 86th Street, perhaps?* Markham nodded. “That’s right. Easy to remember.” “Yes—quite. I seem to remember it when you mentioned Renting's name . ... The domicile’s an interest­ in’ old landmark. I've never seen it, however. Had a fascinatin’ reputation once. Still called the Purple House?” “Purple House?” Markham looked up. “My dear fellow! Are you entirely ignorant of the history of the city which you .adorn as District Attorn­ ey? The Purple House was built by Karl K. Renting back in 1880, and he had the. bricks and slabs of stone painted purple, in. order to distinguish his abode from all others in the nei­ ghborhood, and to flaunt it as a chal­ lenge to his numerous enemies. 'With •a. house that color,’ he used to say, ‘they won’t have any trouble finding me.’ But what about your Kaspar Renting?” “He disappeared some time last night,” Markham explained impa­ tiently. “From his bedroom. Open window, ladder, ransom note thumb- tacked to the window-sill. No doubt about it.” “Details familiar — eh, what?” mused Vance. “And I presume the ransom note was concocted with words cut from a newspaper and past­ ed on a sheet of paper?” “Exactly! How did you guess it?” “Nothing new or original about it — what? Highly conventional. Book­ ish, in fact. How did. you learn about it?” “Eldridge Fl eel was waiting at my office when I arrived this morning. He’s the lawyer for the Renting fam­ ily. One of the executors for the old man’s estate. Raspar Renting’s wife naturally notified him at once at his home—called him before he was up.” “Level-headed chap, this Fleel?” “Oh, yes. I’ve known the man for years. Good lawyer. He was wealthy and influential once, but was badly hit by the depression. I got in touch with Sergeant Heath immediately, and he went up to the house with Fleel. I told them I’d be there as .soon as I could. I dropped off here, thinking—” “By the way, do you know this young Kaspar Renting?” “Slightly,” Vance answered ab- stractly* “I’ve run into the Johnnie here and there, especially at old Kin­ kaid's Casino ( and at the race-tracks, Kaspar’s a gambler and pretty much a ne’er-do-well, Always hard up. And trusted by no one. Can’t imag­ ine why any one would want to pay a ransom for him,” “Can’t really blame the chappie for being such a blighter. Old Karl K,, the author of his. being, was a bit queer himself. Had more than enough money, and left it all to the older son Kenyon K., to dole out to Kaspar as he saw fit. I imagine he hasn’t seen fit very often or very much.” “That may be all very interesting”. Markham grumbled: “but I’ve got to get to 86th Street, This may prove a qrucial case, and I can’t afford to ig­ nore it.” He looked somewhat, ap­ pealingly at Vance, Vance rose likewise and crushed out his cigarette. “Oh, by all means,” Vance drawl­ ed. “I’ll be delighted to toddle along. Though I can’t even vaguely imagine why kidnappers’should select Kaspar Renting. The Kentings are no long- WINGHAM ADVANCE-TIMES V* Thursday, February 10, 1938' gressiye middle-aged man, rather thin, with a serious and pinched expression. Fleel introduced him to us cursorily, with a careless wave of his hand, as Kenyon Renting, the brother of the missing man. Then the lawyer turn­ ed stiffly to the other side of the room, and said in a suave, business­ like voice; "Bqf I particularly wish to present you gentlemen to Mrs. Kaspar Rent­ ing,’* We all turned to the pale, terrified woman seated at one end of a small davenport, in the shadows of the west wall, She appeared at first glance to be in her early thirties; but I soon i realized that my guess might be ten years out, one way or the other, Sergeant Heath broke gruffly into the scene. “Don’t you want to gp up upstairs, Chief, 'and see the room from where the snatch was made. Snitkjn’s on duty up there.” “I say, just a moment, Sergeant.” Vance sat down on the sofa beside Mrs. Renting. “I’d like to ask Mrs. Renting some questions.” He turned Renting?’’ “J don’t know exactly. It might have been some one moving a chair, or dropping something.” “Could it have been a scuffle of some Lind-*! mean, did it sound as ,if more than one person might have been making the noise?’’ *‘I don’t think "So, It was over too quickly for that.” “When you entered the room, were the lights on?” “Yes,” the ’woman hastened to an­ swer animatedly, “That was the cur­ ious thing about it. Not only was the chandelier burning brightly, but the light beside the bed also, They were a ghastly yellow in the daylight, “And another strange thing was that the bed had, not been slept in.” Vance’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Do you know what time Mr. Renting came to his bedroom last night?” The woman hesitated a moment and flashed a glance at Kenyon Rent­ ing. "Oh, yes,” she said hurriedly* “I heard him come in, It must have been soon after three this morning. I heard him enter his bedroom and turn on the lights. Then I heard him telephoning to some one in an angry voice. Right after that I fell asleep again,” “You say he was out Irst night. Do you know where or with whom?” “A new gambling casino was open­ ed in Jersey yesterday, and my hus­ band was invited to be a guest at the opening ceremonies. His friend, Mr, Quaggy called for him about o’clock—” “Please repeat the name of husband’s friend” “Quaggy — Porter Quaggy, a very . trustworthy and loyal and I’ve never objected to my hus­ band’s going out with him. He has been more or less a friend of the fam­ ily Tor several years, and he always seefris to know just how to handle my husband when he shows an inclin­ ation to .go a little too far his, well, his drinking.” “Where does Mr. Quaggy “Just up the street, near Park West, at the Nottingham. . She paused, and drew a deep breath. "Mr. Quaggy’s a frequent and wel­ come visitor here.” “Do you' happen to,know,” Vance continued, still addressing the woman “whether Mr. Quaggy returned to the house last night with Mr. Renting?" “Oh, no; I’m quite sure he did not,” was the prompt ..reply. “When you found that your hus­ band was not in ihs room at six this morning, and that the lights were on and the bed had not been slept in, what did you think?—and what did you do?” “I was naturally upset and troubled and very much puzzled,” 'Mrs. Rent­ ing explained; “and just then I notic­ ed that the big side window overlook­ ing the lawn was open and that the Venetian blind had not been lowered. I immediately ran to the window and looked down into the yard, for a sud­ den fear had flashed through my mind tliat perhaps Raspar had fallen out. You see,” she added reluctantly," my husband often has hdd too much to drink when he comes home late at night. ... It was thenT saw the lad­ der against the.,house; and I was won­ dering about that vaguely, when sud­ denly I noticed that horrible slip of paper pinned to the window-Sill. I immediatelj' realized what had hap­ pened, and why I had heard those peculiar noises in his room.” nine your He’s man, in his— live?” Central Wellington Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Established 1840. Sticks taken on all classes of insur­ ance at reasonable rates. Head Office, Guelph, Ont. ABNER COSENS, Agept. Wingham. Dr. W. A. McKibbon, BA- PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Located at the Office of the Late Dr. H. W. Colbome. Office Phone 54. Nights 187 HARRY FRYFOQLE Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director Furniture and Funeral Service Ambulance Service. Phones: Day.1J()9W. Night 109J. .........■ . . .. . * ■ .............. .... DR. R. L. STEWART PHYSICIAN Telephone 29. J. w. BUSHFIELD Barrister, Solicitor, Notary, Etc. Money to Loan. Office — Meyer Block, Wingham THOMAS^ELLS AUCTIONEER REAL ESTATE SOLD■ - A Thorough Knowledge of Farm Stock. Phone 231, Wingham. Dr. Robt. C. REDMOND.............; ' ’ - ■ ' ;**-•' M.R.C.S. (England) L.R.C.P. (London) PHYSICIAN AND SUBGEON J. H. CRAWFORD Barrister, Solicitor, Notary, Etc. Successor to R. Vanstone. Wingham Ontario It Will Pay Yop to Have An EXPERT AUCTIONEER to conduct your sale. See T. R. BENNETT At The Royal Service Station. Phone 174W. DR. W. M. CONNELL PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Phone 19, R. S. HETHERINGTON BARRISTER and SOLICITOR Office — Morton Block. Telephone No. ’66. J. ALVIN FOX . Licensed Drugless Practitioner CHIROPRACTIC - DRUGLESS * THERAPY - RADIONIC EQUIPMENT .Hours by Appointment. Phone 191. Wirigham W. A. CRAWFORD, M.D. Physician and Surgeon Located at the office of the late Dr. J. P. Kennedy.' Phone 150. Wingham F. A. PARKER OSTEOPATH All Diseases Treated. Office adjoining residence next to Anglican Church on Centre St, Sunday by appointment. Osteopathy Electricity Phone 272. Hours, 9 a.m, to 8 p.m. ,A. R. & F. E. DUVAL CHIROPRACTORS CHIROPRACTIC and ELECTRO THERAPY, North Street — Wingham Telephone 306. er a reputedly wealthy family. By the by, do you know how much ransom was demanded?” “Fifty thousand. But you’ll see the note when we get there. Nothing's been touched. Heath knows I’m com­ ing.” “Fifty thousand . . .” Vance pour­ ed himself a pony of his Napoleon cognac. “That’s most interestin’. Not an untidy sum — eh, what?” He turned to me. "And do you care to come along, Van? It may prove more fascinatin’ than it sounds.” Despite my accumulated work, I was glad of the invitation. The Sergeant led us into a stuffy drawing room, seated himself at a small Jacobean desk and drew out his little black leather-bound note-book. "Chief,” he said to Markham, “I think mayfce you’d better get the whole story direct from Mrs. Rent­ ing, the wife of the gentleman who was kidnapped.” I now noticed three other persons in the room. At the front window stood a stolid, slightly corpulent man of successful, professional mien. He turned and. came forward as we en­ tered, and Markham bowed to him cordially and greeted him by the name FleeL He was the lawyer of the Renting family. At his side was a somewhat ag- ; to the woman. “Tell me, when you first learn of yoUr husband’s sence?” The woman took a leap breath. “Early this morsizg — about o’clock, I should say. The sun just arisen.” “And how did. you happen to come aware of his absence?” “I wasn’t sleeping well last night," the woman responded. "I was rest­ less for some Unknown reason, and the early morning sun coming in through the shutters into my room not only awakened me, but prevented me from going back to sleep. Then I thought I heard a faint unfamiliar sound in my husband’s room—you see, we occupy adjoining rooms on rhe next floor—and it seemed to me I heard some one moving stealthily about. There was the unmistakable sound of footsteps across the floor —-that is, like some one walking ar­ ound in soft slippers. “I got up, threw a dressing-gown ground me, and went to the door that connects our two rooms. I called to my husband, but there was no res­ ponse of any kind — and I realized1 that everything had suddenly become quiet in the room. By this time I was panicky; so I pulled open the door quickly and entered the room—” “Just what kind of sound was it that first caught your attention, Mrs. did ab- six had be~‘ SOON TWO GIANT U.S. BOMBERS WERE TO CRASH, KILLING ELEVEN -ft- Oil • •V;': -..V '>•« - ' z / ' f i ' R'. ••I-• • These U,S. bombers soared over crashing into another, plunged into the Pacific near San Pedro, California the sea. The squadron had been fly- on manoeuvres fast week when the mg through rain squalls when the col* aeroplane at the LOWER LEFT, lisiori occurred, The big ship went /H ; ' 7 . ■MS, w.i , down in Hames. Ten men were lost. Later another died on board hospital ship. Tour others were injured, long range bomber squadron The had « “Hqw many servants are there here?” “Only two — Weem, our butler and houseman, and his wife, Gertrude, who cook's and does maid service. “They sleep where?” “On th.e third floor at the rear.” “Had you, or your husband, any previous warning of this event?” Before answering, the woman look­ ed with troubled concern at Kenyon Renting. “I think, my dear,” he encouraged her, “that you should Be perfectly frank with these gentlemen,” The woman shifted her eyes back to Vance slowly, and after a moment of indecision said: “Only this: several nights, recent­ ly, after I had retired, I have heard Kaspar dialing a number and talking angrily to some one over the tele­ phone. I could never distinguish any of the conversation. And I always no­ ticed that, the next day‘Kaspar was in a terriffle humor and seeme.d wor­ ried and agitated about something. Twice I tried to find out what the trouble was, and asked him to explain the phone calls; but each time he as­ sured me nothing whatever was Wrong.” “Was there nothing else recently which you can recall, and which might be helpful now?” “Yes, there was.” The woman nodded with a show of vigor. “About a week ago a strange, rough-looking man came to see Kaspar—he looked to me like an Underworld• character. When the inan left the house I heard him say to Kaspar in a loud tone, 'There are ways of getting things.’ ft wasn’t just a statement—the words sounded terribly unfriendly. Almost like a threat.” “Has there been anything further?” (Continued Next Week) Highway No. 9, two miles south of dent occurred on Nov. 2nd last, but Walkerton, that death resulted in the the inquest had been postponed due hospital the following day. The acci- to illness of one of the witnesses. Fell from Hay Mow Stewart Ament,■ son of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Ament of West Wawa- nosh, and Who has been employed at the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Yungblutt, east of Auburn, received hip and shoulder injuries when he fell a distance of ten feet from the hay mow in Mr, YtmgblUtt’s barn. It is thought he took a weak spell, Tara Wants New Post Office The most important matter to come before the Council at Tuesday night’s meeting was the decision to send a delegation comprising Reeve Young and J. W, Sinclair, M.L.A., to Ottawa, who along with W. R. Tom­ linson, M.P,, will interview the Post­ master General in reference to the er­ ection of a new Post Office in Tara. —Tara Leader, Death Held Accidental Accidental death was the verdict t>f the Coroner’s Jury at Walkertonrne uoroners 31x7 at waiKCrton been manoeuvring with the fleet near which investigated the futility iu San Clemente island. Several war- which Joseph Hill, Carrick Township ships were in the vicinity, and in full, workmen, received such serious injur- view of the accident, ■A ies, when struck by a large truck ori V L Special Tuna Casserole Baked Rice Spanish Style Surprise Salad Home-made Relishes Orange Shortcake with Orange Sauce Beverage The menu featured above „ Bents something old, something new, nothing borrowed, nothing blue! Let’s take the new first. The Tuna Casserole can be made from the emergency shelf kept adequate­ ly Stocked in evevy well-ordered home. The almonds add novelty and nutritive value but they may be omitted. The Surprise Salad glorifies the parsnip. It is often called Mock Crab Salad, Try it to see why. A cabbage salad would be an equally good balance in thib meat Although shortcake id old it is a favorite dessert for all ages. This Orange Shortcake is especially lus­ cious. The oranges provide the Vitamins and minerals so frequent­ ly lacking in winter diets. Special Tuna Casserole (Serves 6) teaspoons grated onion 7-outice Cans tuna, with from one can 1-pound can of ready-to-serve cream of mushroom noun tablespoons flour x teaspoons Worcestershire ( or any favorite eondimotit sauce) tablespoons lemon juice , Salt to taste teaspoon white popper tablespoons chopped pimiento cup salted almonds lemon quarters pre- lJ/2 2 Oil 1 2 iy2. 2 16 3 ’A 8_____ _______ In a saucepan, gently saute onion in oil drained from the can of tuna, until soft, but not brown. Blend in the Hour. Add cream of mushroom Soup and Seasonings, When it teaches the boiling point add the chopped pimiento and ttma prepar­ ed in largo flakes, and salted almonds* Heat, stirring carefully and as little as possible. . Put in a casserole set on m «erv- , Ing mate, garnish with bits of pimiento, and arrange lemon quar- tors on th® plgte, A squeexa Of lemon on the individual servings adds the final fillip of flavor to a tantalizingly delicious party supper or dinner dish that can be made in a few minutes. NOTE: May be served on toast or in croustades; or for a complete dinner or luncheon main course* serve Special Tuna Casserole with noodles, green peas and baby carrots. Surprise Salad (Serves 6) ; 2 cups shredded raw parsnips V2 cup cut celery 2 tablespoons minced pimieuto 4 tablespoons horseradish % cup mayonnaiseUse a shredder not a grater on the Scraped parsnips* This pro­ duces long flakes resembling Crab meat,' Combine all ingredients and serve plain or on any available salad greens. Surprisingly delicious. Orange Shortcake (Serves 6) For the filling, use: 6 Sttnltlst oranges, segmented % to % cup sugar For the shortcake, sift together: li/z cups general purpose flour % teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons sugar 8 teaspoons baking powder Work into the dry ingredients; 5 tablespoons shortening Add: 1 clip milk Stir to a soft dough* Divide into two portions. Pat into two ungroas- ed baking pans. Bako in a hot oven (425° F.) for 3.2 minutes. Remove tq Serving dish* Cover bottom layer with orange Segments. Top with Second shortcake layer* Cover with th© remaining segments. Serve With Orange Sauce prepared while shortcake is baking. Orange Sauce * 1 tablespoon cornstarch. .% cup sugar ’ 1 cup Sunkist orange juice’ < Mix, Bring to a boil. Boil until clear (3 to 5 minutes). Remote (com fire. Add: j 2 tablespoons butter : Serve hot^—t good sauce W juddlngs.