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Home My WebLink AboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1938-02-24, Page 14tww"*’’’!''''"'; VGIW'M1 "W'M* '/ Thursday, March 3rd, 1938WINGHAM ADVANCE-TIMES signature on that ransom quite—quite," agreed Vance, show amazing perspicacity, precisely what I was. think- S.S.Van Dine © . .. * you old SYNOPSIS Paring the night Kaspar Kenting was kidnapped. Philo Vance, with District Attorney Markham go to the Kenting home there to meet Sergeant Heath of the jHomicide Bureau, Ken yon Kenting and Mrs. Kenting, the brother and wife of the kidnapped man. Present also is Eldridge Fleel, the Kenting family attorney, The first evidence casts some doubt as to the genuineness, of the crime. Vance examines Weems, the Kenting butler.* * “I’m beginning to see what mean, Vance,” said Markham, "Just a moment, Markham, dear. If it had been Kaspar that Mrs. Kenting heard at six o’clock, he would hardly have had time, before he scooted off at his wife's knock, to collect his comb and toothbrush and pajamas. Why should the chappie have bothered to take them, in the first place? True, they are things he could well make use of on his hypo thetical jaunt for the purpose of get ting hold of brother Kenyon’s lucre, but he would hardly go to all that trouble on so vital and all-important a venture—the toilet articles would be far too trivial and could easily be bought wherever he was going, if he ...was finick about such details. "Carryin’ the supposition a bit for rader, he would have realized that the absence of these necess’ry articles would be highly suspicious and would point too obviously to the impression he would have wished to avoid — -'iramely, his own wilful participation in the attempt to extort the fifty “■thousand dollars. I’d say, ’y know, that these items for the gentleman’s toilet were collected and taken away —-in order to give just that impres sion — by the soft-footed person heard by Mrs. Kenting . . . No, no, Markham. The comb and the tooth brush and the pajamas and the shoes are only textural details.” “Well, what do you think happen ed?” Markham asked in a subdued, worried tone. “Really, I don’t know.” Vance stud ied the tip of his cigarette with con cern. “We do know, however, that Kaspar had an engagement last night which kept him out until three this morning; and that upon his return here he telephoned to some one and then changed to street clothes. It might therefore be assumed that he made some appointment to be kept between three and six o’clock and he saw no necessity of going to bed in the interval. This would also account i for the leisurely changing of his at tire; and it is highly possible he went quietly out through the front door when he fared forth to keep his early- morning rendezvous. Assumin’ that this theory is correct, I’d say further that he expected, to return anon, for he, left all the lights on. “Even so,”—Markham drew himself up with a slight show of annoyance —"why do you take-it for granted ■that Kaspar Kenting is already dead? j on the lawn, inspected the imprint. “I don’t take it for granted,” Vance ! "You know, sir, we was lucky,” too, drew himself up and spoke some- Heath asserted. "It drizzled most what vigorously. "I said merely that ■ yesterday afternoon, and around I feared the Johhnie is already dead.'about eight o’clock last night it got Why argue about the case, when, as yet, there is so little evidence to go on? ... . Let’s dawdle about a bit longer and learn more about things,” "Learn what, and about what things?” Markham almost barked. “Really, if we knew, Markham, we woludn’t need to learn, would we? But Kenyon Kenting, I ween, harbors a. number of fruitful items, And then there's your' friend, iMr. Fleel, the trusted Justinian of |he Kenting household. And Mrs, Kenting herself might cast a few more rays of light into the darkness. And let’s not over look old Mrs. Falloway—-Mrs. Kent- ing’s mother, y' know—who, I think lives here. Exceptional old dowager. I met her once or twice before she became an invalid. And it could be that even the butler Weem would be willin’ to spin a yarn or two.” “All right,” Markham acquiesced. “What is it you wish to focus your prodigious powers on first?” of to raining pretty hard, though it did clear up before midnight.” Vance's entire interest seemed to be centered on the imprint he was in specting. At length he murmured without turning: “Rather small foot-, print here—eh, what?” "1’1! say it is,” agreed Heath. “Mights been a dame. And it looks like it was made ^vith flat slippers of some kind, There’s no heel mark.” "No, no heel mark,” agreed Vance abstractly. "But really, y’ know, I shouldn’t say the print was made by a slipper —unless, of course, you wish to call a sandal a slipper.” “Is that it, Mr. Vance?” The Ser geant was half contemptuous and half interested. “Yes, yes; rather plain,” Vance re turned in a low voice. “Not an ordin ary sandal, either. A Chinese sandcl I’d say. Slightly turned-up tip.” "A Chinese sandal?” Vance murmured: “Rather small footprints~here—eh, what?” “My word, such flattery!” exclaim ed Vance. “I haven’t a single prodig ious power—I’m a mere broken reed. But I simply can’t bear not to inspect that ladder.” X We followed the Sergeant through the ponderous front door, down the stone steps, and across the flagstones. “Don’t come too close,” he admon ished us with a solemn air. “There are footprints at the bottom of the ladder and we gotta save ’em for Cap Jerym’s plaster casts.” “Well, well,” smiled Vance: “May be you’ll permit me to come as near as Captain Jerym will have to go to perform his sculpture?” “Sure.” Heath grinned. “Look at this one, Mr, Vance,” — and the Sergeant pointed to an im pression in the border of the hedge within a foot of where the stood. “My word!” exclaimed Again taking out his monocle justed it carefully and, kneeling down ladder Vance. he ad- ECONOMIST RECEIVES McMASTER DEGREE "More than likely, don’t y’ know." “I suppose you’ll be telling us next that this whole case is just another Tong war." Heath evdiently did not deem Vance’s conclusion worthy of serious consideration. Vance, stepped past Heath and grasped the ladder with both hands. “Look-out, sir!” cautioned Heath angrily. “You’ll make finger-prints on that ladder." Vance relaxed his hold on the lad der momentarily, and turned to Heath with an amused smile. “I’ll at least give Dubois and Bel lamy something to work on,” he said •lightly. “I fear there won’t be any other finger-prints on this irrevelant exhibit. And it will be rather difficult to pin the crime on me. I’ve an un impeachable alibi. Sittin’ at home with Van Dine here, and r?adin’ a bedtime story from Boccaccio.” Heath was spluttering. Before he could answer, Vance turned, grasped the ladder again, and lifted it so that its base was clear of the grdund. Then he set it down several inches to the right. Before the Sergeant could protest Vance had thrown his cigarette care lessly away and was moving quickly up the ladder, rung by rung. When he was a,bout three-quarters of the way up he stopped and made his way down. Again he lifted the ladder and mov ed it still farther to the right. Then he went a second time on his knees and inspected the new imprints which the two uprights of the ladder had made in the ground. “Sergeant,” Vance told him serious ly, "the imprints I just made when I mounted the ladder are of practically the same depth' as the imprints made by the ladder last night. Do you see the significance of the results of that little “It And your prints. Imprimis, it means that two men were not on the ladder at the same time last night—or, rather, this morning. Secondly, it means that whoever was on that ladder was a very slight person who could not have weighed over 120 or 130 pounds, Thirdly, it means that Mr. Kaspar Ken ting was not kidnapped via yon open window at all.’’ "Yes, sir. But where does that get us?" "The findings, as it were" contin ued Vance, "taken in connection with the footprint^, seem to tell us that a Chinese gentleman of small stature was the only person who used this ladder* Bure supposition, b£ course, Sergeant; but I rather opine that—” "Yes, yes,” (Markham interrupted. "You see some' connection between these footprints and the more-or-less test of mine?” means several other things, don’t stew so horribly about beloved hypothetical finger- On their way home from a visit to Australia, Sir Josiah and Lady Stamp stopped off in Hamilton, Ont., Feb, 25, for the former to receive the hon orary degree of doctor of laws from McMaster university. The famed Bri tish economist and his wife posed for this picture as they left Los Angeles earlier in the week with Hew York as their immediate goal. In Niagara Ralls Sir Josiah described Alberta’s social credit as "tosh” and prophesied return of Anthony Uden to the Cham berlain government shortly* Chinese note ” "Oh, "You i That's in’” "Any other ideas, Vai^ce?” Mark ham demanded somewhat peevishly. "Oh, no—-not a thing, old dear.” Vance cast a meditative glance back at the ladder and at the trimmed pri vet hedge behind it, whiqji.ran the full length of the house. He stood motionless for a moment and squint ed. • "I say, Markham,” he commented in a low voice; "there’s something shingin there in the1 hedge ” As he spoke he moved quickly to a point just at the left of where the ladder now stood. Reaching forward with both hands, he separated the dense foliage and leaned over, as if seeking something. "Ah . . . My word!” As Vance separated the foliage still farther, I saw a silver-backed dressing comb wedged between two closely forked branches of the privet. "You think that’s Kaspar Kent- ing’s missing comb?” asked Markham quickly. "It could be, of course," nodded Vance. “What do you think about it?” "Oh, ’ I’m not thinkin’, Markham,” Vance started toward the gate. “I’m utterly exhausted. Let’s stagger back into the Kenting domicile.” As we entered the front door, Mrs. Kenting, Kenyon Renting, and Fleel were just descending the stairs. Vance approached them and. asked, "Do any of you happen to know any thing about that ladder in the yard?” "I never saw it before this morn ing,” Mrs. Kenting answered slowly, in a deadened.voice. "Nor I,” added her brother-in-law. “You’re quite sure, Mrs. Kenting," pursued Vance, “the ladder doesn’t belong here?” “I’m quite sure it doesn’t belong here,’’ she said in the same muffled tone of voice. "Most curious,” murmured Vance. He reached in his pocket, brought' out Vie comb he had’found in the. privet hedge, and held it out to the woman. “By the way, Mrs. Kenting, is this, by any chance, your husband’s comb? "Yes, yes!” she exclaimed almost unaudibly. “That’s Kaspar’s comb. Where did you find it, Mr. Vance,— and what does it mean?” “I found it in the privet hedge just beneath his window,” Vance told her. “But I know yet what it means, Mrs. Kenting. Before the woman could ask fur ther questions Vance turned quickly to Kenyon Kenting and said: “We should like to have a chat with you, Mr. Kenting. Where can we go?” The man looked around as if slight ly dazed and undecided. “I think the den might be the best place,” he said. . Kenyon Kenting followed us into the den and, closing the door, stepped to a large leather armchair. Then he added, “But I’m afraid I can be of little help.” “That, of course, remains to be seen,” murmured Vance. “First of all wq wish to know just what the fin ancial arrangement is between and your brother. I understand when your father died the estate all left at your disposal, and. that whatever money Kaspar Kenting should receive would be subject to your discretion.” “That is quite right. Fleel, liowev-' er, was apopinted the custodian, so to speak, of the estate. And I wish to assure you that not Only have I main tained this house for Kaspar,’ but have given him even more money than I thought was good foV him,” “When was the last time yott your brother?” “The day before yesterday.” “And did your brother bring up the subject of finances on Monday?” (Continued Next Week) you that was saw GREY & BRUCE DEPOSITS SHOW LARGE INCREASE Reports Presented at Annual Meeting Show Sharp Increase, Total Depos its of $2,319,554; Bond Holdings, $1,329,092 and Mortgages $1,332,182 Substantial progress was shown at the annual meeting of the Grey and Bruce Trust and Savings Co,, held in the office of the company, at Owen Sound. The gratifying advancement of the company was pointed out in the addresses of the president, Mr. G. A. Fleming, and the manager, Mr. 0. E. Manning, A new and'successful real estate department has been in augurated in the institution during the past year, and the sound investment policies of the founders carried out as usual, President’s Remarks Mr. C. A. Fleming, 'President, in his address to shareholders stated; "Af ter paying interest on deposits, guar f Wellington Mutual Firs Insurance Co, Established 1840. Risks taken on all classes of insur- ance at reasonable rates. Head Office, Guelph, Ont ABNER COSENS, Ager.t Wingham. * Dr. W. A. McKibbon, B.A. PHYSICIAN AND- SURGEON J**’ Located at the Otffice of the Late Dr. H. W. Colborne. Office Phone 54. Nights 107 HARRY FRYFOGLE Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director Furniture and Funeral Service Ambulance Service. Phones: Day 109 W. Night 109J. p DR. R. L. STEWART PHYSICIAN Telephone 29. J. W. BUSHFIELD » te Barrister, Solicitor, Notary, Etc, Money to Loan. Office — Meyer Block, Wingham THOMAS FELLS 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 SURGEON 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. Wingham ■ W. A. CRAWFORD, M.D. Physician and Surgeon Located at the office of the late 4 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 300. - . .. . . . anteed investments and management expenses and after providing for Do minion and Provincial taxes of $5,904, we have a net profit for this year of $51,424. This compares with $49,523 for last year, but this year we are showing our profits after providing for $5,904 of taxes, where last we showed our profits before n/ent of taxes of $5,268. Increased Reserves “Out of this $51,424 we have paid the regular 4 per cent dividend am ounting to $21,788 and we' have set aside for depreciation of the buildings and fixtures $3,188.40. This allows us to transfer to the reserves $26,488 in comparison with $20,7*59 transferred last year. That is an improvement of about $6,000 there you will notice. “I think you will agree with me that the improved business conditions have been reflected in your com pany’s profits for this year 1937. Increased Deposits “Deposits and guaranteed invest ments have increased $398,057 and now total $2,319,000. and for each dol lar on deposit there is $1.16 in bonds, demand loans and cash. These funds along with the shareholders’ money arc invested in mortgages amounting to $1,332,000, being an increase, of $65,517, and also high grade bonds that total $1,329,092—an increase of $307,887 on the bonds. "You will see from this report that the Grey and Bruce are giving many services that the public desires, and they are giving these services at a reasonable cost, allowing a fair re turn on funds deposited and loaning at reasonable rates to borrowers. ■ “The books of the company have been regularly audited by the com pany’s auditors and in addition they have been inspected by Provincial Government inspectors. |"It gives me a great deal of plea sure to move the adoption of the re port, Mr. Chairman.” Mr. W. S. MidJdlebro Mr. W. S.- (Middlebro, K.C., vice- president and chairman of the board, in his’remarks said that the company was paying 7 per cent of its total div idends for Dominion and. Provincial taxes. He added that during the past few years the company have been building up substantial reserves. These reserves have increased from $90,303 in 1930 to $178,649.41 in 1937. He said further that in 1930 for each dollar on’deposit they had 56c in quickly cashable securities whereas now they have $1.16 in such securit ies. In comparison with this the av erage trust company has a of about 70c on the dollar. “In 1933,” continued Mr. bro, "owing. to the lack of for first mortgage money in mediate district we decided in Toronto on owners’ homes, has proven to be very Satisfactory in that we have not had any losses and we received an average of 5% per eent on the loans which now amount year pay- liquidity to $325,000, and with less than 1-16 of 1 per cent interest unpaid.” Manager’s Address In the manager’s address Mr. O. E. Manning stated that it was indeed gratifying for him to 'again report progress and that while business con ditions throughout Canada and the United States have fluctuated, greatly during 1937 Grey and Bruce counties do not appear to have been adversely affected. “The president has already stated,” he continued, “that our earnings are up. While our statement shows an in crease of $65,000 in first mortgage holdings we have actually loaned $131,633 the difference being the principal payments on existing mort gages. With regard, to our mortgag es I am pleased to inform you that mortgages now total $1,332,182. These are confined to Ontario, large ly to Grey and Bruce counties and the City of Owen Sound, the average loan being about $2,000. Mortgages “While the average rate paid on our deposits and .guaranteed funds is 3.36 per cent, the average rate earn ed on mortgages and bonds is 5.17 per cent, being a difference of 1.81 per cent. In other words, our profit is slighttly over 1% per cent between the rate paid on funds, and the rate received on investments. During the year we opened a real estate department, not only for the sale of our own properties and those in estates, but also to act as agents for the public in the purchase and sale of real estate. This department has proven profitable in that we are able to show more sales of real es tate in the last year than for the pre vious three years put together. We now have only 23 properties on hand. Some properties which were not earn ing a year ago are now earning a good revenue as we have in many cases converted them into modern apart ments. Assist irt Buildirig “Our company are most interested in assisting the building industry, but I. am quite convinced that there would be a tremendous revival in this in dustry if it were not for the excess ive taxation. In a brief submitted to the Rowell' Commission a few days ago specific example were shown where the average home owner was paying as high as 78 per cent taxes on the net income from his property. This compares with an average of 22 per cent by the British home owner. "This unjust taxation is not alto gether the fault of the municipalities but largely due to. the fact that the municipalities are forced to pay for education, and social services out of taxes received from property owners. According to the Assessment Depart ment of the City of Toronto during* the past ten years owner occupied houses have decreased 5,891 while tenant oceupied houses have increas ed 12,703, This is an indication that in or'der to stimulate the building in dustry the mill rate Requires to be re duced. “We have granted a number of loans under the Housing Act, not on ly in Owen Sound,,but in Hanover, Port Elgin, Clresley and Barrie, and we are most interested in encourage ing the building of new homes in this district. "In closing I take this opportunity of thanking the shareholders and friends of the company for the in creased number of new customers during the year. We are now serving over 6,000 in Grey and Bruce coun ties." When pray the tendance1 in the church, asked, “What are all the people doing, mummy?" She answered, “Shush! They’re saying their prayers." “What?” exclaimed the nipper, in credulously, "with all their clothes on?” the congregation knelt to little fellow on his first at- 2-WAY RELIEF Fll T<E MISERY OF COLDS Take 9 "ASPIRIN” tabl.t» and drink • full slatt af water. Rapaaf tract-* ■tent Ink havr». If throat Ic sera Irani th* cdfc crvih and ««r 3 "ASPIRIN'’ labiate In Vi flats af water. Garglo twlca. This aasM throat rawnoss and sora- ■oss almost Instantly. No family need neglect even minor head colail* Here fa what to do: Take twr “Aspirin” tablets when you feel • cold coming on—-with a full giant Of Water. Then repeat; if necessary according to directions in each package. Relief comes rapidly. The “Aspirin” method of relieving colds is the way many doctor* approve. You take “Aspirin” for relief-—-then if you are not improved promptly, you call the family doctor, • “Aspirin” tablets Ore made fit Canada.. “Aspirin” is the registered trade-mark of the Bayer Company. Idwnited, of Windsor, jOntarib. Look for the name Bayer in the form st a cross bn every tablet. Demand and! fist “ASPIRIN Middle- demand our im- to loan This made in Canada