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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1938-05-05, Page 6* !I ' ,< ♦ PAGE SIX ■1 WINGHAM ADVANCE-TIMES Thursday, May 5th, 193$ 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 ©f 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 Keatings and Fleel, 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, Mrs. Falloway, who admits to Vance she is really trying to forestall an attempt by her son, Fraim, to get the money. The woman is not held and the real kidnapper’s identity re­ mains a mystery. Immediately after­ ward, Madelaixie Renting, wife of Kaspar Renting, also disappears sud­ denly. That night, while walking home, Eldridge Fleel is machine-gun­ ned at close range from a passing automobile but not hurt. Vance sus­ pects a ruse. Heath, Markham and Vance go to Markham’s office and learn that Kaspar Renting’s body has been found in the East there Fraim Falloway make his appearance. ♦ * * “Good heavens, no! River. While unexpectedly What have jyour semiprecious stones to do with |a case of kidnapping?" I “My dear Markham ” protested I Vance. “I have told you — and I 1 thought, in my naive way, that it had lever been demonstrated to you—that I this is not a case of kidnapping, I Won’t you even permit a subtle kill- i er to set the stage for himself—to ^indulge in a bit of spectacular decor, so to speak? That collection of old Karl Renting’s gems has a dashed lot to do with the case , . “I'm not worried as much about such vague factors in am about that attack terrupted Markham, “Oh, that." Vance mere bit of technique. And the the case as I on Fleel,” shrugged. in' "A QP“ erator of the sub-machine gun kind enough to miss his target. As I told Fleel, he was very lucky,” At this moment Markham’s secre­ tary, coming swiftly through ’ the swinging leather d'oor, interrupted th? conversation, “Chief,” he announced, “there’s a young fellow outside who’s terribly excited and insists on seeing you at once, Says it’s about the Renting case. Gives his name as Falloway,” “Oh, send him in, by all means,” said Vance, before Markham had time to answer. A few moments later Fraim Fallo­ way was shown into the office. “Tell us what’s on your mind, Mr. Falloway,” Vance spoke curtly, “I'll tell you, all right," the youth said in quick, tremulous accents. “That — that beautiful alexandrite stone is gone from the collection. I am sure it’s been stolen." Even I remembered the stone—an unusually large and beautifully cut oc­ tagonal stone of perhaps forty carats, which was in a place of honor, in the most conspicuous case, surrounded by other specimens of chrysoberyl. “I don’t know anything about those stone in the collection,” ' Falloway went on excitedly, “but I do know about this magnificent alexandrite. It always fascinated me—it was the only gem in the collection I cared any- was c MOUNT HACHO FORT SANTA CATALINA POINT WAR MINISTER CLAIMS GIBRALTAR STILL UNASSAILABLE THREE 16" GUNS ALSO ANTIAIRCRAFT GUMS ■*| > . ) . TWO BATTERIES OF GERMAN 75'S 4-2 11" GERMAN GUNS, FOUR 5"GuNS FOUR GERMAN ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS POUR BATTERIES OF GERMAN 75'9 AND THREE 5" 1 & _________________THREE GERMAN 16' BATTERY OF 75'S three GERMAN GUNS ATKSAR SEGHIF? EUROPA POINT Periodically fears are expressed 5n ^England over the allegedly precarious situation of Gibraltar. Even naval to connaisance flying boats (UPPER) 'Winging their way over “The Rock’* tatinot spot all the guns which line !TT’ thing about. In the daytime it was the most marvellous green, like dark­ jade, with only touches of red in it; but at night, in the artificial light, it changed its color completely and be­ came a thrilling red, like wine.* ’ “This morning—a little while ago —I went downstairs to look at it: I needed something—something . . , It wasn’t green at all. It was still red, almost purple. And after I had look- ’ ed at it a while in amazement, J real­ ized that even the cutting was differ­ ent. It was the same size and shape ’ —-but that was all. Oh, I know every ‘ facet0of that alexandrite. It was not the same stone. It had been taker! away and another stone ■ left in its J place! . , He fumbled, nervously in his out­ side pocket and finally drew opt a large deep-colored gem. “That’s what was left in the place of my beloved alexandrite!” Vance took the stone and looked at it a moment. “Yes, I see what you mean—quite,” he said. “As good a substitute as pos­ sible. This is merely amethyst, Of comparatively little value- Similar to alexandrite, however, and often mis­ taken for it by amateurs. Can you say with any accuracy when the ex­ change was made?” Falloway shook his head vaguely ,and sat down heavily. “No," he said phlegmatically. “As I told you, I haven’t seen it in day­ light for two days, and'Tast night I looked at it for just a second and didn’t realize that it wasn’t the alex­ andrite, I discovered the truth this morning.” Vance again loked at the stone and handed it back to Falloway. “Return it to the case as soon as you reach home. And say nothing of it to any one till I speak to you again." Falloway rose heavily, “I’ll put the stone back in place right away." “Oh, by the by, ’(Mr. Falloway,” Vance drew himself up sharply. “If, as you have intimated, your favorite cutting o'f the alexandrite was stolen, could you suggest the possible thief? Could it, for instance, have been any one you know?” “You mean some one in the house? — or Mr. Quaggy or Mr. Fleel?” re-' torted Falloway with a show of in­ dignation. “What would they yant with, my alexandrite?” He shook his head shrewdly. “But I have an idea who did take it." “Ah!" “Yes! I know more than you think I do. It was Kaspar—that’s who it was!” ‘ ■ “But Kaspar is dead. His body was found last night.” “A damned good riddance!” Vance’s- announcement left Falloway unruff­ led. “I was hoping he wouldn’t come back.” “He won’t," interjected Markham laconically, staring at the youth with unmistakable disgust. ' Markham’s secretary came again through the leather door, just before Falloway reached it, and announced Kenyon Renting. As Renting stepped into the office .it was obvious' that he was in a per-J turbed state of mind. Going to Mark­ ham's desk, he’ dejectedly placed an envelope before the District Attorn­ ey. “That came in the second mail this morning, to my office,” he said, con­ trolling his excitement with consider­ able d effort. “It’s another one of those damn notes. ' “And Fleel got a similar one in the same mail—at his office. He phoned me about it, just as I was leaving to come here. He soundedwvery much upset and said he would meet me here shortly, and bring his own note with him.” When Markham had finished his perusal of the note he picked up the envelope* and handed them both to Vance. Vance, with his monocle already adjusted, took the note and the en­ velope with suppressed eagerness, glancing first at the envelope and then at the single Sheet of paper. The note read: You did not obey instructions. You called in the police. We saw everything. If you fail us again, the same thing will happen to her that happened to him. This is your last warning. Have the $50,- 000 ready at five o'clock today (Friday), You will get instruc­ tions at that time.. And if you notify the police this time it is no dice. Bor Signature there was the inter­ locking symbol that had come to have such a sinister portent for us all. “What shall I do—what shall I do?” Renting asked, glancing distractedly from Vance to the District Attorney and back again. ‘'Realty, y’know,” said Vance in a kindly Jone, “you can't do anything > at present. You must wait for the • forthcoming instructions, And then i there’s Mr, fleet’s billet-doux which * we hope to see anom . “By the by, Mr. Renting, I don’t suppose you heard the shots that were Business and Professional Directory Wellington Mutual Fire Insurance Co. 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S. HETHERINGTON BARRISTER and SOLICITOR Office — Morton Block. Telephone No. 66. >5 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 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. fired at Mr. Fleel shortly after you left your"brother’s, house last night?" er; and it was written in pencil and in the same handwriting.. As he spoke he picked up the note once more and, resuming his chair,. “No, I didn’t. ” Renting seemed greatly perturbed. “It was frightfully shocked on hearing about it this morning. When I left you last night I was lucky enough to catch a taxi­ cab just as I reached the corner, and I went directly home.” , Renting considered the matter for a minute; then he looked up sharply with a frightened expression. “Perhaps those shots were intend­ ed fof me! ...” “Oh, no,' no — nothing like that,” Vance assured him. “I’m quite sure the shots were not intended for you, sir. The fact is, I am not convinced that the shots were intended even for Mr. Fleel.” “What do you mean,by that?" Before Vance could answer, a buzz- sounded on Markham’s desk. Heer You have double-crossed us. You have control of the. money. Get busy. And don’t try any more foolishness again. You are a good lawyer and can handle ev­ erything if you want to. And you had better want to. We expect to see you/according to instruc­ tions in our letter to Renting to­ day in this year of our Lord, 1938, or else it will be too bad. The same interlocking, ink-brushed squares completed the message. Vance rose and confronted the two unstrung men. “There is much to be done yet. I would advise that you both remain in your offices until you have heard something further. We will certainly communicate with you later, and we appreciate the co-operation you studied the paper with far more in­ terest and care than he had shown, when the lawyer and Renting had ‘ been present. “You notice,' of course, that both notes were cancelled in the same post­ office station as was yesterday’s com­ munication — the' Westchester Sta­ tion. “I cannot understand the reference to ‘this year of our Lord.’ It doesn’t belong here. It's out of key. My eyes go back to it every time I finish read­ ing the note. It bothers me frightful­ ly. Something was in the writer’s mind—he had a strange thought at that time. It may be entirely mean­ ingless, or it could have been written into the note with some very subtle significance for some one .who was expected to see it." “I noticed that phrase, too," said Markham. “It is curious; but, in tny opinion, it means nothing at all," , “I wonder . -. Vance raised his hand and brushed it lightly over his forehead. ‘Then he' got to his feet. “I?d like to be alone a while with this note. Where can I go—are theUire judges’ chambers unoccupied?" ‘ Markham looked at him in puzzled amazement. “You can go into my private of­ fice, you damned prima donna.” Markham pointed to^a narrow door in the west wall .of the room. “You’ll be alone in there. Shall I let you1 know when Heath gets here?” Carrying the note before him, Vance opened the side door and went out of the room. It was. fully ten minutes before he emerged from the private office. In the meantime Heath had arrived and was waiting impatiently. When Vance re-entered the room he threw a quick glance in Heath’s direction. “Cheerio, Sergeant,” he greeted Heath, “I’m glad you came in, Thanks awfully for waitin’, and all that . . , I’m sure you’ve already read the note Renting received. Here’s the one Fleel brought in.” (Continued Next Week) are “Perhaps the shots were intended for me I” ALGECIRAS’ | HOWITZERS | GUNS ANO FORTIFICATIONS 1 howitzers i CARNERO POINT NAVAL HARBOR GUNS ANO '"'''""I FORTIFICATIONS | „ had Its walls. No reports are ever made public as to the extent of Gibraltar's armaments. Recently Lord Farring­ ton raised the alarm that German gtms, some of them 16-inch types, arc trained on the fortress from emplace- ments in Spanish Morocca, and insur­ gent Spain (LOWER). But Minister of War Hore-Belisha says Gibraltar is unassailable, admirably protected by warships which find its'harbor ;(CEN» TBE) a strong base. barely given instructions that Fleel be sent in when the lawyer joined us, He, too, looked pale and drawn and showed unmistakable trac­ es of lack of rest — he appeared to have lost much of his earlier self-con­ fidence. Fleel moved toward the District Attorney’s desk. “I brought the note I received in the mail this morning ” lie said, fumbling in his pocket. “There’s ho reason whatever why I should be getting anything like this —unless the kidnappers imagine that I control all the Kintihg money and have it on deposit.” Fleel had drawn an envelope from his inside coat pocket and held it out to Markham. As he did so his eyes fell on the note that Ken ting had brought and which lay on the District Attorney’s desk “Do you wiihd if -I take a look at this?’\he asked, “Go right ahead,” answered (Mark­ ham as he opened the envelope Flepl had given him. The note that Pleel turned over to Markham was not as long as the one received by Renting; It was, how* ever, written on the same kind of pap* giving us ... By the by,’’-Mie spoke somewhat offhand to Kenting*--“has your money been returned to you?” “Yes, yes, Vance.” It was Mark­ ham’s impatient voice that answered. “Mr, Renting received the money the first thing this morning. Two of the men in the Detective Division across the hall delivered it to him.” He addressed Fleel and Renting again. “We will, of course, expect to hear immediately when you receive further communication, or if any angle develops.” ,His tone was of polite dismissal. “Don’t worry on that score, w. Vance.” Renting was reaching for his hat. “As soon as either one of Us gets the instructions promised in tny note, you’ll hear all about it.” A few moments later he and Fleet left the office together. As t|ie door closed behind them Vance swung swiftly about and went to Markham’s desk. “That note io Fl col I” he exclaim­ ed. “I don’t like it at all, Markham. 1 don’t at all like it. ’It is the most curious concoction, I must see it again.” any new title Mr. Social Credit Union Planned Edomnton-—Preliminary discussion with a view to formation of a West­ ern Canada Social Credit organisation Was Started by representatives of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Col­ umbia and Alberta Social Credit Lea­ gues, Labor War Expected Washington —* The American Fed­ eration of Labor’s Executive Council decided to invade the territory now occupied by John L Lewis’s tinited Mine Workers with a new interna­ tional union built around the Progres­ sive Miners of America. Labor ob­ servers forecast a bitter and perhaps 'bloody labor war as a result of this latest move. ♦ ink