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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1938-03-24, Page 6* © AUTOCASTER him suffic- and the am you know you’re going to life, anyway?” up, Fraim!” snapped Kent- < we arrive he, idea,’’ de- didn’t you SYNOPSIS During the night Kaspar Renting "was kidnapped; Philo Vance, with District Attorney Markham go to the Renting home there to meet Sergeant Heath of the Homicide Bureau, Ken­ yon Renting and Mrs. Renting, the brother and wife of the kidnapped man. Present also is Eldridge Fleel, the Renting family attorney. The first evidence casts some doubt as to the genuineness of the crime. Vance examines Weems, the Renting butler. Further search shows that Kaspar probably did not go down the ladder found outside the house, Vance re­ examines Kenyon Renting first, then Mrs. Renting’s mother Mrs. Falloway and her son, Fraim. He learns little but notes an undercurrent of hostil­ ity among these members of the strange inhabitants of the’ Purple House, Vance decides to question Porter Quaggy, last known compan­ ion of the missing Kenyon. Quaggy, defensive, reveals nothing but Vance notes a pair of black opals on his desk. Two similar jewels were miss­ ing from Kenting’s room. ♦ ♦ ♦ 'Wh?B were back in the car and headed dowtifowu, Vance said: • “By the by, Markham, there were two rather amazin’ black opals on the desk in Quaggy’s apartment. Noticed, them as I was going out." “You think they came from the Renting collection?” “It’s possible.” Vance nodded slow- - !y. “The collection was quite defic­ ient in black opals when I gazed up­ on it. The few remainin’ specimens were quite inferior.” The next morning, shortly before ten o’clock, Markham telephoned Vance at his apartment, and I an­ swered. “Tell Vance,” came the District At­ torney’s peremptory voice, “I think ■ he’d better come down to my office at once. Fleel is here, and I’ll keep ' him. engaged till Vance gets here.” We arrived at Markham’s, office a half-hour later. After casual greetings Markham an­ nounced: “The instructions promised in the ransom note have been received. A note came in Mr. Fleel’s mail this morning, and he brought it directly to me.” He picked up the small sheet of paper before him and held it out to Vance. It was a piece of ruled note­ paper, folded twice. The quality was of a very cheap, coarse nature. The writing on it was- in pencil, in an ob­ viously disguised handwriting. “I say, let’s see the. envelope,” re­ quested Vance. The postmark showed that the note had passed through the post-office the previous afternoon at five o’clock from the Westchester Station. “And where might the Westchester .Station be?” asked Vance. Spanish government warships scor­ ed their greatest victory the day they WINGHAM/AD VANCB/TIMES r Thursday, March 24th, 193$ “I had it looked up as soon as Mr* Fleel showed me the note," respond­ ed Markham. “It’s in . the upper Bronx." “As a matter of fact, it’s in the toughest district in New York in which to trace anyone by a • post­ mark," Vance adjusted his monocle and read the pencil-scrawled communica­ tion carefully. It ran: Sir; I no you and famly have money and: unless 50 thousand $ is placed iq hole of oke tree 200 foot west of Southeast corner of old resivore in central park thursday at leven oclock at nite we will kill Casper Kenton- This is finel. If you tell police deel is off and we will no it. We are watching every move you make. The lominous message was signed with interlocking squares made with brush strokes. “No more original than the first communication,” commented Vance know about it, and it was my inten­ tion to go to the Renting house from here and inform Kenyon of this new development. I’ll do nothing, howev­ er, without the consent of Mr. Mark­ ham,” ' “Mr. Fleel,” Markham said slowly, "I think you should go to Kenyon Renting at once, and tell him the ex­ act circumstances." “I’m glad you feel that way, Mr. Markham," the lawyer said, “I quite agree with you both,” mur­ mured Vance. “Only, I would ask you, Mr. Fleel, to remain at the Renting house until Mr, Markham and I arrive there. We will be join­ ing you very soon.” “I'll wait,” mumbled Fleel as he passed through the swinging leather door out to the reception-room. “Well, Vance, what do you think?” Markham asked. “So many things,” Vance told him, “that I couldn’t begin to enumerate them, All probably frivolous Vance read the ’ pencil-scraw led communication carefully^ ■ ‘ ML JFTWM dryly. .“And it strikes me, off-hand, that the person who worded this threatening epistle is not as unschool­ ed as he would have us believe.” He looked up at the lawyer, who was watching him intently. “Just what are your ideas on situation, Mr. Fleel?” “Personally,” the man said, “I willing to leave the whole matter to Mr. Markham here, and his advisors. I—I don’t know exactly what to say —I’d rather not offer any sugges­ tions. The ransom demahds can’t possibly ‘be met out of the estate, as what funds were entrusted to me are largely in long-term bonds. Howev­ er, I feel sure that Mr. Kenyon Rent­ ing will be able to get the necessary amount together and take care of the situation—if that is his wish.” “Does he know of this note?” “Not yet,” Fleel said, “unless too, received i. copy. I brought this one immediately to Mr. Markham. But my opinion is that Kenyon should worthless.” “Well, to be more specific, what do you think of that note you have there?” “Quite authentic — oh, quite,” Vance returned without hesitation. “Hasty business is afoot. A bit too precipitate for my liking, however. But there’s no overlooking the earn­ estness of the request.” “The instructions seem somewhat vague.” , “No. Oh, no, Markham. On the contr’ry. Quite explicit. I know the tree well. Romantic lovers leave bil­ lets-doux there. No difficulties in that quarter. Quiet spot. However, it could be adequately covered by the police. I wonder . . .” “This situation upsets me,” Mark­ ham rumbled- at length. “The news­ paper were full of it this morning, as you may have noticed.” “I rrftist get some action. This new note changes the whole complex­ ion of things." lut, tut." Vance’s admonition was almost frivolous. “Really, y’ know, it changes nothing. It was precisely what I was waitin’ for.” “Well,” snapped Markham, “now that you have it, what do you intend to do?” “Why, I intend to go to the Pur­ ple House,” Vance said calmly. “I’m not psychic, but something tells me we shall find a hand pointin’ to our future activities when there." “Well, if that’s your manded Markham, “why go with Fleel?” “Merely wished to give lent time to*.break the news> 'to the others and to discuss the matter with brother Kenyon. Nothing like letting every one know the details of the case. We’ll get forrader that way," At the Renting residence we found Kenyon Renting, Fleel, young Fallo- way, ‘ and Porter Quaggy assembled in the drawing-room. “Did you bring the note with you, gentlemen?” Renting asked immedi­ ately, • with frightened eagerness. “Fleel told me just what’s in it, but I’d like to see. the message itself,” Vance nodded and took the note from his pocket, placing it on the small desk near him. Renting, without a word, took the folded piece of paper from its envel­ ope, and! read it carefully. “What do you think should be done about it?" Markham asked him. "Personally, I’m not inclined, to have you meet that demand just yet." Renting shook his head in perturb­ ed silence. At last"he said: “I’d always feel guilty and selfish if I did anything else. , If I didn’t comply with this request and any­ thing should really happen to Kas­ par—” “But I’ve no idea exactly how I’m going to raise that much money—and at such short notice. It’ll pretty well break me, even if I can manage to get it together." “I can help contribute to the fund,” offered Quaggy, in a hard tone. “And I’d like to do something, too,” put in Fleel, “but, as you know, my personal funds are pretty well deplet­ ed at this time. As a trustee of the Renting estate I couldn’t use that money for such a purpose without a court order. And I couldn't get one in such, a limited time.” Fraim Falloway stood back against the wall, listening intently. ’“Why don’t you let it go?” he sug­ gested, with malicious querulousness, “Kaspar’s not worth that much mon­ ey to any one, if you ask me. And how do save his “Shut ing. Young Falloway shrugged indiffer­ ently. “I say, Mr. Fleel,” put in Vance, “just what would be the financial standing of Mrs. Renting in the hy­ pothetical case that Kaspar Renting should die? Would she benefit by his demise—that is, to whom would Kas­ par Renting’s share in the estate go?” “To his wife,’’ answered Fleel. “Sure,” said Fraim Falloway sulk­ ily, “m’y sister gets everything, and there are no strings attched to it. Kaspar has never done the right Business and Professional Directory Wellington Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Established 1840. Risks taken on all classes of insur­ ance at reasonable rates. Head Office, Guelph, Ont. ABNER COSENS, Agent. Wingham. Dr. W. A. McKibbon, B.A. PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Located at the Office of the Late Dr. H. W. Cplborne. Office Phone 64, Nights 107 DR. R. L. STEWART PHYSICIAN Telephone 29. J. W. BUSHFIELD Barrister, Solicitor, Notary, Etc. Money to Loan. • Office — Meyer Block, Wingham Dr. Robt. C. REDMOND M.R.C.S. (England) L.R.C.P. (London) PHYSICIAN AND SURGE0N J. H. CRAWFORD Barrister, Solicitor, Notary, Etc. Successor to R. Vanstone. Wingham Ontario ' DR. W. M. CONNELL PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Phone 19. R.’ S. HETHERINGTON BARRISTER and SOLICITOR Office — Morton Block. Telephone No. 66. * ■ . . 1 : 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. HARRY FRYFOGLE Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director Furniture an(l v . Funeral Service $ .... " "■Ambulance Service, Phones: Day 109 W. Night 109J, THOMAS FELLS AUCTIONEER REAL ESTATE SOLD A Thorough Knowledge of Farm Stock. Phone 231, Wingham. It Will Pay Yop to Have An EXPERT AUCTIONEER to conduct your sale. See T. R. BENNETT At The Royal Service Station. Phone 174W. J. ALVIN FOX Licensed Drugless Practitioner CHIROPRACTIC - DRUGLESS THERAPY - RADIONIC EQUIPMENT Hours by Appointment. Phone 191. Wingham A. R.& F. E. DUVAL CHIROPRACTORS CHIROPRACTIC and ELECTRO THERAPY North Street — Wingham Telephone 300. WHEN THE BALEARES WAS STRUCK A--'5 \ , fA , „ V ; . x Y' . > f / 0.x > ♦<>' ? s . X *. s • ' J Y s ' a ' < A <y & vS' ' ' *. / •< . x--.X 'A 4 4 ? * X < _____,*• ! graph was taken at the very moment At left the heads of sailors may be tore was made at the moment the ves- the insurgent destroyer Baleares blew seen as they struggle to swim away, sei’s stern roared out of the water Miled out to meet the insurgent fleet, up in a swirling sheet of flame. Half Scores were rescued by nearby British before the whole ship plunged td the **“■’ unusual and exclusive photo-the crew were thrown into the sea, ! destroyers on piracy patrol. The pic- bottom, thing by Sis, anyway, and it’s about time she was coming in for some­ thing. That’s why I say it’s rank nonsense to give up all this money to get Kaspar back. Nobody here thinks he’s worth fifty' cents, if they’ll be frank.” ’“A sweet and lovable point of .view,” murmured Vance. “I suppose your sister is very lenient with you whenever possible?” It was Kenyon Renting who an­ swered. “That’s it exactly, Mr. Vance. She’s the kind that would sacrifice every- for her brother and her mother’ That’s natural, perhaps. But, after all, Kaspar is my brother, and I think something ought* to be done about jt, even on the mere chance it may save him, if it does take practically every cent I’ve got in the world. But I’m willing to go through with it, if you gentlemen and the police will agree to keep entirely out of it, until I’ve1' found ouMvhat I can do without any official assistance which might scare off the kidnappers. “You see, I discussed the point with Mr. Fleel just before you gentle­ men arrived. We are agreed that the police should allow me a clear field in handling this matter in exact ac­ cordance with the instructions in the note.” “I can understand your attitude in the matter, Mr. Renting,” he said re­ assuringly. “And therefore,” he made a suave gesture, “the decision on that point must rest solely with you. The police will turn their backs, as it were for the time being, if that is what you wisli.” Fleel nodded his approval of Mark­ ham’s words. “I think,”' Vance began, “both of you gentlemen are in error, and I am definitely opposed to the withdrawal of the authorities, even temporarily, at this time in such a vital situation. It would amount to the compounding of a felony. Moreover, the reference in the note regarding the-police is, I believe, mefely an attempt at intimi­ dation. I can see no valid reason why the police should not be permitted a certain discreet activity in the mat­ ter." “You may be right, Mr. Vahce,” Renting admitted finally in a hesit­ ant tone. “On second' thought, I am inclined to follow your suggestion.’’ “You’re all stupid,’’ mumbled Fall­ oway. Then he ^eanCd forward. His eyes opened ,wide, his jowls sagged and he burst forth hysterically: “It’S Kaspar, Kaspar, Kaspar! He’s no good anyway, and he’s the only one that gets a break around here. No­ body thinks of any one else but Kas­ par . . His voice Was high-pitched and ended in a scream. “Shut ftp, you ’ ninny,“ ordered Kerning. “What are you doing down here, ’inyway? Go on up to your room.’’ “Well, what’s the decision, gentle­ men?”. asked iMatkhaaiji In a calm, — ...... .nF -a'j mm , jkb»'a1!,1 -Lie* FOUR MOTHERS SHARE MILLAR WILL LEGACY MRS. ISABEL MacLEANMRS. ELLEN NAGLE Climax to the 10-year “Stork Der­ by” came on March 19th when Mr. Justice Middleton of the Supreme Court of Ontario ruled that the $500,- 000 residue of the Charles V. Millar estated must be divided among Mrs. Nagle and three other mothers. Although the will specified that the full residue be left to the mother with the most children born in the 10 years after Millar’s death, it ordered the amount to be shared in case of a tie, which allowed Mrs. MacLean a share. / . . MRS. ANNIE SMITHMRS. LUCY TIMLECK More than glad to hear the news was Mrs. Timleck. Never since she entered the race has she questioned the court rulings.*-She stands to re­ ceive close to $126,000 as her share of the world-famed fortune. Fourth of the mothers to qualify for first place in the race was Mrs. Smith, the. judge’s ruling announced. All four winners had nine children Within 10 years following the law­ yer’s death. | -J quiet tone. “Are we to go ahead on the basis of your paying the ransom alone, or shall I turn the case over to the Police Department to handle as they see fit?” Renting stood up and took' a breath. (Continued Next Week) CLUB FRUIT PLATE deep (Serves 1) large section of a grill plate,In a banana, split lengthwise and dipped in orange juice to prevent discolora- tiori. Top banana with 4 navel orange slices. In smaller sections of plate, place 3 large cooked prunes; stuffed with cottage cheese moistened* with orange juice, several walnut * halves and 3 or 4 dates. Young Artist: “How did you like my paintings?” Friend: “Great! That one fried egg was so natural it nearly made me hungry,” Artist: “Fried egg? Great Scott, that was a sunset!” of tire