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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1938-04-07, Page 6WINGHAM ADVANCE-TIMES Thursday, April 7th, 1938 AUTpCASTER KIII X A l> MI R [H R S. S. Van Dine SYNOPSIS During the night Kaspar Renting was kidnapped. Philo Vance, with District Attorney Markham go to the JKentjng 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, Kenting’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. At this time a ransom note arrives demanding $50,000 and free­ dom from police interference. Vance and Markham consult the Kentings and Flcel, their lawyer. It is decided to allow the police a free hand in dealing with the supposed kidnappers. A dummy package is substituted for the money and then secreted in a tree in Central Park according to instruc­ tions. The police capture a cloaked figure in the act of taking it, * * * “Pretty nice work," Heath sang out with satisfaction, just as I reached the ground and took a tighter hold on my automatic. Vance brushed by me from around the tree .and stood dir­ ectly in front of Heath. “My dear fellow—oh, my dear fel­ low!” he sai'd with quick sternness. “Don’t be too precipitate.” As he spoke, two taxicabs swung crazily along the pedestrian walk on the left with a continuous shrill blow­ ing of horns. They came to a jerky stop with a tremendous clatter and squeaking of brakes. Then the two chauffeurs leaped out of the cabs and came rushing to the scene with sub­ machine guns. “Step back, Sergeant,” Vance com­ manded. "You’re far too rough. I’ll handle this situation.” Something in his voice overrode Health’s zeal — there was no ignoring the authority his words carried. Both Heath Sullivan released their hold on silent figure between them. < /The apprehended culprit did move, except to reach up and push back the visor of the toque cap, re­ vealing the face' in the glare of the searchlights. There before us, leaning weakly and 'hakily on a straight snakewood stick, the package of false bank notes still clutched tightly In the left hand, was the benign, yet cynical, Mrs. An­ drew Falloway. Her face showed no trace of fear or of agitation. In fact, there was an air of calm satisfaction in her somewhat triumphant gaze. In her deep, cultured voice she said, as if exchanging pleasantries with some one at an afternoon tea: “How are you, Mr. Vance?” “I am quite well, thank you, Mrs. Falloway,” Vance returned suavely, •with a courteous bow. Just then a slender form skulked swiftly across the lawn from the and the not " .................................- •' --... ............. . ....................... ••••$- ;• ’ • near-by path and, without a word, joined the group directly behind the woman. It was Fraim Falloway. His expression ♦ was both puzzled and downcast. Vance threw him a quick glance, but took no more notice of him. His mother must have seen him put of the corner of her eye, but she showed no indication that she was aware of her son’s presence. “You’re out late tonight, Mrs. Falloway,” Vance was saying grac­ iously. “Did you enjoy your evening stroll?” “I at least found it very profitable,” the woman answered with a harden­ ing voice. As she spoke she’ held out the package. “Here’s the bundle — containing money, I believe—which I found in the hole of the tree, I’m getting rather old for lovers’ trysts. Don’t you think so?” Vance took the package and threw it to Heath who caught it with auto­ matic dexterity. The Sergeant, as well as the rest of the group, was looking on in rsttipefield astonishment at the strange and unexpected little drama. “I am sure you will never be too old for lovers’ trysts,” murmured Vance. “You’re an outrageous flatterer,. Mr. VUnce,” smiled the woman. “Tell me, what do you really think of me after this little—what shall we call it?—es­ capade tonight?” “I think you’re a very loyal moth­ er,” he said in a low voice, his eyes fixed on the woman. Quickly his mood changed again. “But, really, y’ know, it’s dampish, and far too late for you to walk home.” Then he looked at the gaping Heath. “Ser­ geant, can either of your pseudo­ chauffeurs drive his taxi with a mod­ icum of safety?” “Sure they can,” stammered Heath. “That’s bully—what?” said Vance. He moved to Mrs. Falloway’s side and offered her his arm. “May I have the pleasure of taking you home?” The woman took his arm without hesitation. “You’re very chivalrous, Mr. Vance, and I would appreciate the courtesy.” Vance started across the lawn with the woman. “Come, Snitkin,” he called preemp- torily, and the detective walked swiftly to his cab and opened the door. A moment later they were headed toward the main traffic ar­ tery which leads to Central Park West. It was but a short time before the rest of us started for the Renting house. “I guess we’d better follow Mr. Vance,” growled Heath. “There’s something mighty phony about this whole business.” When we pulled up in front of the Renting house, which suddenly seem­ ed black and sinister in the semi-dark we all quickly jumped to the sidewalk and hastened in a body to the front door. > Weems, in a dark pongee dressing­ robe, opened the door for us and made a superfluous gesture toward the drawing-room. Through the wide- open sliding doors we could see Vance and Mrs. Falloway seated. Vance, without rising, greeted whimsically as. we entered. “Mrs. Falloway,” he explained us, “wished to remain here a short while to rest before going upstairs. Beastly ascent, y’ know/’ At that moment there was a ring at the front door, and Heath went out quickly to answer it. As he op­ ened the ponderous door, I could eas­ ily see, from »where I stood, the fig­ ure of Porter Quaggy outside. “What do you want?” Heath de­ manded bluntly, barring the way. “I don’t want anything,” Quaggy returned in a cold unfriendly voice; “—if that answer will benefit you in any way—except to ask how Mrs. Renting is and if you know anything more about Kaspar," “Let the Johnnie come in, Ser­ geant,” Vance called, out in a low, commanding voice. “I’ll tell him what he wants to know. And I also desire to a^k him a question or two.” Quaggy stepped inside briskly and joined us in the drawing-room. “Well, what happened tonight?" he asked. “Nothing—really nothing,” Vance answered casually, without' looking up. “Positively nothing. Quite a fiz­ zle, don’t y’ know. Very sad . . But I am rather glad you decided to pay us this impromptu visit, Mr. Quaggy. Would you mind telling us where you were tonight?” “I was at home fretting about Kas­ par. Where were you?” Vance smiled and sighed. “Not that it should concern you in the slightest, sir,” he said in his most dulcet voice, “but—since you ask—I was climbing a tree. Silly pastime— what?” Quaggy swung about to Renting. “You raised the money, Kenyon, and complied with the instructions in the follow-up note?” he asked. “Yes,” Keating savid in a low voice, “but it 'did no good.” “A swell bunch of cheap dicks," Quaggy sneered. “Didn’t any one show up to collect?” “Oh, yes, ’ Mr. Quaggy.” It. was Vance who answered. “Some one called for the money at the appoint­ ed hour, and actually took it. The culprit is here with us in this room.” Quaggy straightened with a start. “The fact is,” went on Vance, “I escorted the quilty person home my­ self. It was Mrs. Falloway.1 . Before the man had time to say anything ’ Vance daisically. “By the by, Mr. Quaggy, are you particularly interested in black opals? I noticed a jolly good pair of them on your desk yesterday?” “And if I am, what then?” “Queer, don’t y’ know,” Vance went on, “that there are no representative black opals in Karl Kenting’s collec­ tion. Blank spaces in the case where they should be. I can’t imagine, real­ ly, how an expert collector of semi­ precious stones should have overlook- ed so important an.item as the rare black opal.’’’ “I get the implication. Anything else?” Quaggy was standing relaxed but motionless in front of Vance. Slowly he moved one foot forward, n continued lacka- HAS DIFFICULT JOB Seven .years ago Laurence Duggan of New York entered the U.S. state department. Now, at 32, he is a di­ vision chief and entrusted with the job of settling the situation which arose when Mexico seized millions of dollars’ worth of oil properties owned by United States interests. as if shifting the burden of his weight from an overtired leg. By an almost imperceptible movement his foot came to within a few "inches of Vance’s shoe. ‘‘Really, y’ know,” Vance said with a cold smile, lifting his eyes to. the man, /‘I shouldn’t try that if I were you—unless, of course, you. wish to have me break your leg and dislocate your hip. I’m quite familiar with the trick. Picked it up‘in Japan.” Quaggy abruptly withdrew his foot but said nothing. “I found a balas-ruby in Kaspar Kenting’s dinner jacket yesterday morning,” Vance proceeded calmly., ‘‘A balas-ruby is also missing from the collection across the hall. Inter­ estin’ mathematical. item—eh ?” “What the hell’s interesting about it?” retorted the other with a sneer. “I was only wonderin’,” he said “if there might be some connection be­ tween that imitation ruby and' the black opals in your apartment . . By the by, do you care to mention where you obtained such valuable gem spec­ imens?”' Quaggy did not answer, and Vance turned to the District Attorney. “I think, in view of the gentleman’s attitude, Markham, and the fact that- he is the last person known to have been with the missing Kaspar, it would be advisable, to hold him as a ‘material witness.” “I came by those opals legitimate­ ly.” Quaggy said quickly. “I bought them from Kaspar last night, as he said he needed some immediate cash for the evening.” ‘T’ve suspected for a long time,” Mrs. Falloway said, “that Kaspar had been resorting to that collection of gems for gambling money . . But I’m very tired, and I’m sufficiently rest­ ed now to return to my room . . .” “But, Mrs. Falloway,” blurted out Renting, “I—I don’t understand your being in the park tonight. Why— why—?” “Mr. Vance understands,” she an- Business and Professional Directory Wellington Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Established 1840. 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It’s a long climb to your room.” The woman bowed a courteous ac- principles essential for your good health have been established and are now universally recognized. In this series of articles entitled “What to Eat to be Healthy” we proposed to tell you how our present knowledge can be supplied in your life and the life of your family. Follow this series closely and you will be in possession of absolutely re- for life and health? You may be sur­ prised to know that there are not less than 30 — iron,' calcium, iodine, fat,, carbohydrate, proteins, vitamins, and others. They may be arranged into five groups of food substances, the vitamins, the minerals, the proteins, the fats, and the carbohydrates. A deficiency of any one of these essen­ tial food elements endangers your knowledgement and, for the second time that evening, took his arm. Markliam, with a significant look at the Sergeant, left his chair and took the woman’s free arm. Heath/moved closer to Quaggy who remained standing. Mrs. Falloway, with her two escorts, went slowly from the drawing-room, and I followed them. She found it necessary to pause momentarily at each step, and when we reached her room she sank into the large wicker armchair with the air of a person wholly exhausted. “I should like to ask one questions, if you are not too said Vance™ The woman nodded and faintly. “Why did you make the tremen­ dous effort,” Vance began, “of walk­ ing in the park tonight?” “Why, to get all that money, of course," the old woman answered in mock surprise. “Anyway, I didn’t at­ tempt to walk all the way: I took a cab td within a few hundred feet of the tree.” Tell me, Mrs. Falloway, how you knew your son intended to go to jthe tree for that ransom package,” For a moment Mrs. Falloway’s face was a mask. Then she said in a deep, clear voice: “It is very difficult to fool a mo­ ther, Mr., Vance. Fraim knew of the ransom note and the instructions in it, He knew also that Kenyon would raise -the money somehow. The boy came upstairs and told me about it after you had left the house this af­ ternoon. Then, when he came to my room a little before ten o’clock to­ night, after having spent the evening With his sister and Kenyoft, and said he was going out, I knew what was in his mind. And I—I wished to save him from that infamy. (Continued Next Week) of' two weary,” smiled GERMAN INFANTRY MARCHED AVERAGE OF 40 MILES DAILY TO TAKE VIENNA A HEALTH service of THE CaNABIAN MEDICAL association and life insurance companies IN CANADA WHAT TO EAT TO BE HEALTHY These goose-stepping German sol­ diers arc the cause of the new gaiety in Vienna gardens and streets. March­ ing 40 miles a day the First Division of the Eighth German Army corps brought fame to themselves by being first, foot forces to reach Vienna from the German border. No soon­ er had they reached the city than they organised a triumphant parade with banners flying. General von Bock took the salute with Dr. Seyec-In* quart, new governor of the state of Austria (IN OVERCOAT) standing at his side. But long before this reg­ iment arrived, Vienna was under con­ trol of the conquerors, Hitler sent a fleet of over 100 transport aeroplane's each bearing a squad of soldiers car­ rying full war equipment. They rea- ched Vienna only a few hours the Fuehrer’s decision to carry out his coup. Before them also came a long line of mechanised, units who crossed the horded and reached the capital the day Hitler ordered them to move. after 1 liable information bn what foods you should eat and the importance they play in maintaining normal health. Many persons today, and you may be one of them, do not eat an ade­ quate amount of all the food elem­ ents necessary for the highest poss­ ible level of health. As a consequence malnutrition may result. But malnu­ trition is not a spectacular condition. For example, everyone knows that a lack of iron will result in the develop­ ment of anaemia. The mildly anaem­ ic person usually does not realize he is anaemic. His weight may be quite normal, and he may be able to carry on with his every-day life, but he lacks energy and vigor. A deficiency of calcium in the diet may take years before it obviously affects your health, but eventually it will. These are only two examples but many oth­ ers might be given. Therefore, it be­ hooves us to watch carefully that our diet does contain all the necessary food elements in adequate amounts. < What food elements are necessary health. To get these .five groups of foods and enjoy the highest possible level of health, take each day one-half to one pint of pasteurized milk (child­ ren one and one-half pints), one egg, some meat, two vegetables besides potato, and some raw fruit. Vitamin D is also necessary in the winter months. The next article will deal with the dangers associated with deficient in­ take of a number of these 30 food elements. Watch this paper for the series “What to Healthy." Questions concerning dressed to the Canadian sociation, 184 College St., Toronto, will be answered personally by letter. the next in Eat to be Health, Medical ad- As- is for grapefruit juice And qrape juice as well Green qherldns (theq’re pickles) ])< And luscious qrape jell. Number One Great advances have been made in the science of nutrition during the last few years, and no doubt further advances will be made in the future. However a number of fundamental At first glance you may not see much connection between these G-Foods. favorites, __, ..... ................... teasers. They are all inexpensive, And they are all to be found in any store, sparkling on the shelves through their glistening glass con­ tainers — waiting for the housewife to choose them for her market basket. And how they do rely tipon their glass containers. Hide them and they could not entice milady’s pennies. She sees them, remembers their flavor, and the sale is made. So attractive are «the now glass pickle jars that they invariably are served right at the table. Here are two recipes that for the popular G-Foods: Porcupine Apple 8 small sweet gherkins 8 strips dried beef But they are all popular They are all appetite call 8 toothpicks Butter 1 large red apple Roll sweet gherkins in dried beet Cut in inch-wide strips with scis« sore, and fasten each •with A toothpick, Brown in buttei* in a frying pan. To serve, stick pre­ pared sWeet gherkins into an apple hy means of the toothpicks. Grapefruit Aspic Salad Heat to boiling 1 cup grapefruit juice and 1 cup canned pineapple juice and dissolve 2 tablespoons gelatin soaked in % cup cold water. Strain and cool. Pour over sections from 1 grapefruit, sections from 2 oranges and 4 slices of canned pineapple cut into pieces and. arranged in attractive design. Chill until stiffened in individual molds or one largo one. Serve •with mayonnaise. Old Lady (meeting a one-legged tramp in the street: “Poor man, you have lost a leg, haven’t you!" Tramp (looking down): “Well now, to be sure, lady. So I have!”