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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1938-05-26, Page 6KIDNAP MURBEK/L S.S. Van Dine * SYNOPSIS During the night Kaspar Kenting was kidnapped. Philo Vance, with District Attorney Markham go to the Kenting home there to meet .Sergeant Heath of the Homicide Bureau, Ken­ yon Kenting and Mrs. Kenting, the brother and wife of the kidnapped mpn. 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. Further search shows that Kaspar probably did not go down the ladder found outside the house. Vance re­ examines Kenyon Kenting 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 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 itio'iiey. Th'e woman is not held and the real kidnapper’s identity re­ mains a mystery. Immediately after-' ward, Madelaine Kenting, wife of Kaspar Kenting, also disappears sud­ denly. That night, while walking home, Eldridge Fleel is machine-gun­ ned1 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 Kenting’s body has been found in the East River. While there Kenyon Kenting arrives with a second ransom note as . does Fleel who also received a note. Vance ex­ amines both and discovers a cryptic meaning in the Fleel communication. The hidden meaning prompts Vance to investigate further. Vance decides that the hidden meaning is really the directions for getting to the kidnap­ per’s lair. Together with Markham, Heath and VanDine, he drives to a lonely house in upper Manhattan where, after silently disposing of a Chinese doorkeeper, the party enters. This advertisement is inserted by the Stewing Industry in the interest of a better public understanding of certain aspects ofihe problems of temperance^ s sweep DARK CORNERS! $ The present control law of Ontario is a sound law because it is founded not on restraint but on reason! Because it assumes rather than denies the citizen’s control of himself! To date it has made a great progress. Yet for the good of the Province, moderation must completely replace ex­ cess. True temperance assures liberty while it avoids excess. Let’s keep the principles clear: Control differs from prohibition in two important points . *. It allows each citizen the greatest individual liberty of choice, while preventing him from inter­ fering with the liberty of others! “I want you to go home and have a good sleep , . . And, by the by, Sergeant, how about rounding every­ body up and invitin’ them to the Pur- pie House tomorrow, around noon?” he asked. “I’m speakin’ of Fleel, Kenyon Kenting, and Quaggy, Mrs. Falloway and her son will, I’m sure, be there, in any event,” * * We arrived at the Renting resi­ dence, Vance driving us there in his car, fifteen minutes before noon. Weem took our hats and made a sur- I BAttjr-MN —38 “Thank God she is alive!” 1y gesture toward the drawing-room, Sergeant Heath and Snitkin were al­ ready there. A little later Fleel and Kenyon Kenting arrived together, followed al­ most immediately by Porter Quaggy. Theyzhad barely seated themselves when old Mrs. Falloway, supported by her son, Fraim, came down the front stairs and joined us. “I’m so anxious about Madelaine,” Mrs. Falloway said. “How is she, Mr. Vance?” “Mrs. Kenting is doing even better today than I would have expected. I can assure you that she will be home in two or three days, fully recovered and in her normal mind. “And I imagine she will have a most interestin’ tale to unfold. Y’ know, it was not intended that she return. “The truth is, this was not a kid­ napping case at all. The authorities instructions, taking the toothbrush, the comb, and the pajamas, and pinn­ ing the note to the window-sill, gen­ erally leaving mute but spurious in­ dications that Kaspar Kenting had kidnapped himself, in order to collect the money he needed to straighten out his debts. “So far the plot was working nicely. The first set-back occurred af­ ter the arrival in the mail of the ran- some note with the instructions to take the money to the tree. The scheme of the murderer to collect the money from the tree was thwarted, makin’ necess’ry further steps. The same day Mrs. Kenting was approach­ ed for an appointment, perhaps with a promise of news of her husband— obviously by some one she trusted, for she'went out alone at ten o’clock that night to keep the appointment, She was awaited—possibly just inside- Central Park—by the same hard gen­ tlemen who had done away with her husband. But instead of meeting with the same fate as Kaspar Kenting, she was taken to the house on Lord Street I visited last night, and held there as a sort of hostage.. I rather imagine, don’t y’ know, that the per­ petrator of this fiendish scheme had not yet been able to pay the price demanded for the neat performance of Kaspar’s killing, thereby irking the hired assassins. The lady was, so to speak, a threat held over one crim­ inal by another criminal who was a bit more clever, “Poor Kaspar! He was a weak chappie, and the price for his own murder was being- wangled out of him without his realizing it. Through the gem collection of old Karl Kent­ ing, of course. He was depleting that collection regularly at the subtle in­ stigation of some one else, some one who took the gems and gave him practically nothing compared to what they were actually worth, hopin’ to turn them over at an outrageous pro­ fit. But semi-precious stones are not so easy to dispose of through illegit­ imate channels. A shady .transaction of this nature would naturally require time, and the now-defunct henchmen who were waiting for settlement were becoming annoyed. Most of the real­ ly valuable stones, which I am sure the collection contained originally, were no longer there when I glanced over the cases the other morning. I am quite certain that the balas-ruby I found in the poor fellow’s coat was brought back because the purchaser would not give him- what he thought it was worth—Kaspar probably mis­ took the stone for a real ruby. There were black opals missing from the collection, also exhibits of jade, which Karl Kenting must undoubtedly have included in the collection, and yester- were expected to accept it in light, but the murderer made many errors—his fault lay in trying to be excessively clever. “There is no doubt whatever that Kaspar Renting made an appointment for the early morning hours, after he had returned from his evening’s en­ tertainment at the casino with Mr. Quaggy. When Kaspar left this house early Wednesday morning, he was- met at the appointed place not .by the per­ son with whom he had made his that too ap- he And because it respects his liberty can count on his co-operation! The Industry therefore sincerely urges every open-minded citizen to join in helping the Government clean up such abuses as still exist. Assure your own freedom of choice by discouraging those of your fidends who try to turn liberty into excess! "We need not be the keeper of our neighbor’s conscience but we must always be the guardians of his lib­ erty/* -J. S. E. Macpherson in an article in MacLean’s - Magazine, April 15, 1938 pointmen t, but by others, whom had never seen before. They struck him over the head before he so much as realized that anything was amiss, threw him into a coupe, and then drove off with him to the East Riv­ er and disposed of him, hoping he would not be found too soon. It was straight, brutal murder. And the per­ sons who committed that murder had been hired for that purpose and had been instructed accordingly. You will understand that the plotter at the source never intended anything less than murder for the victim—since there was grave risk in letting him live to point an accusing finger later . . . The slender Chinaman—the lob- by-gow of the gang—then returned to the house here, placed the ladder against the window—-it had been left here previously for just that purpose —entered the room through the win­ dow, and set the stage according to | day morning the absence of a large .....|k, uu... wingham ADVANCE-TIMES 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, R. L. STEWART PHYSICIAN Telephone 29. Dr. Robt. C. REDMOND M.R.C.S. (England) L.R.C.P. (London) PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON DR. W. M. CONNELL PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Phone 19. w. A. CRAWFORD, M.D. Physician and Surgeon Located at the office of the late Dr. J. P. Kennedy. Phone 150. Wingham I piece of alexandrite was1-discovered— Fraim Falloway suddenly leaped to his feet, glaring at Vance with the eyes of a maniac. “I didn’t do it!” he screamed hys­ terically. “I didn’t have Kaspar kill­ ed! I tell you I didn’t—I didn’t! And you think I’d hurt Madelaine! You're a devil. . I didn’t do it, I say! You have no right to -accuse me.” He reached down quickly and picked up a small, but heavy, bronze statue of Antinous on-,the table beside him. Snitkin, standing just behind Fraim Falloway’s chair, leaned over and deftly menacled the youth. “Really, Mr. Falloway;” Vance ad­ monished in a soothing voice, “you shouldn’t handle heavy objects when you’re in that frame of mind. I’m frightfully sorry. But just sit still and relax. “As I was sayin’, the disappearance of the stones from the -collection was an indication of the. identity of the murderer, for the simple reason that the hirin’ of thugs and the under­ ground disposal-of these gems quite obviously suggested that the same type of person was involved in both endeavors', to wit, both procedures implied a connection with undercover characters—fences and assassins. The two notes yesterday were highly en­ lightenin’. One of them was obvious­ ly concocted for effect; the other was quite genuine. But boldness—usually a good technique—was, in this case, seen through. “Referrln* again to the various ran­ som notes, they were dictated by the plotter of Kaspar’s murder—-that is, all but the one received by Mr. Fleel yesterday—, and they were couched in such language that they could be shown to. the authorities in order to side-track suspicion from the actual culprit and at the same time impress Mr. Kenyon Kenting with the urgent necessity of raising the fifty thousand dollars. I had two statements as to the amount of money which Kaspar was demanding for his debts—one, an honest report of fifty thousand dol­ lars; the other, no doubt a stupidly concocted tale of thirty thousand dol- lars—again obviously for the purpose of diverting suspicion from the per­ son connected with the crime.” “The second note received by Mr, Fleel, was not, as I have already in­ timated, one of the series written at the instructions of the guilty man— it was a genuine document addressed to him, and the recipient' felt that he not only could use it to have the ran­ som money paid over to him, but to disarm onoe more any suspicion that might be springing Up in the. minds of the authorities. It did not occur to him that the address, cryptically written in for his eyes alone, could be interpreted by another.” ■ He tprned slowly to ij'leei again and met the other’s smirk with a cold smile. “When I suspected you, Mr. Fleel,” he said, “I sent you from the Dig­ Dr, W. A» McKibben, B.A. PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Located at the Office of the Late Dr, H. W. Colborne. Office; Phpne 54»Nights 107 J. W. BUSHFIELD Barrister, Solicitor, Notary, Etc. Money to Loan. Office — Meyer Block, Wingham X H. CRAWFORD Barrister, Solicitor, Notary, Etc. Successor to R. Vanstone. Wingham Ontario R. S. HETHERINGTON BARRISTER and SOLICITOR Office — Morton Block. Telephone No. 66. 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. trict Attorney's office Thursday be­ fore Mr. Markham and I came here, in order to verify my expectation that you would urge Mr. Kenyon Kenting to request that all police interference be eliminated. This you did, and when I learned of it, after arriving here with Mr. Markham, I definitely objected to the proposal and counter­ acted your influence on Mr. Kenting so that you could not get the money safely that night. Seeing that part of your plan hopelessly failing, you clev­ erly changed your attitude and agreed to act for us—at my request through Sergeant Heath—as the 'person to place the money in the tree, and went through with the farce in order to prove that no connection existed be­ tween you and the demand for moh- ■ey. One of your henchmen had come to Central Parak to pick up the pack­ age if everything went according to your pre-arranged schedule. Mr. Van Dine and I both saw the man. When he learned that you had not been suc­ cessful with your plans, he undoubt­ edly reported your failure, thereby throwing fear into your hirelings that they might not be paid—which ac­ counts for their keeping Mrs. Kenting alive as an effective threat to hold over you till payment was forthcom­ ing.” ■ 1 Fleel’s expression ’did not change. “A very pretty theory, Mr. Vance,” he commented. “It'shows remarkable ingenuity, but it entirely fails to take into consideration the fact that I my­ self was attacked by a sun-machine gunner on the very night of Mrs. Kenting’s disappearance. You have conveniently forgotten that little epi­ sode since it would knock the entire foundation from under your amusing little house of cards.” “No. Oh, no, Mr. Fleel. Not con­ veniently forgot — conveniently re­ membered. Most vivid recollection, don’t y’ know. And you were jolly well frightened by the attack. Surely you don’t believe your escape from any casualty was fhe result of a mir­ acle. All quite sirhple, really. The gentleman with the machine-gun had no intention whatever of .perforating you. His only object was to frighten you and warn you, of’exactly what to expect if you did not raise the'money instantet to pay for' the dastardly services rendered you. You were ne­ ver safer in your life than when that machine-gun was sputtering away in your general direction.” The smirk slowly faded from Mr. FleeVs lips, “Your theory, Mr. Vanbe” he said angrily, “no longer has even the merit of humor. And I wish you to know that I greatly resent your remarks,” “I don’t regard that fact as discon- cettin the least” Vance returned with' a cold smile. “The fact is, Mr. Fled, you will be infinitely more re­ sentful when I Inform you that at this very minute certified public account­ ants are at work on your books and that the police are scrutitilring most Thursday, May 26th, 1938 ........; : r . HARRY FRYFOGLE Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director Furniture and » Funeral Service Ambulance Service. Phones: Day 109W, Night 109J. THOMAS FELLS AUCTIONEER REAL ESTATE SOLD A Thorough Knowledge of Farm Stock. Phone 231, Wingham. it Will Pay Yop to Have Ari 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. been, Fleet with auto­ sling carefully the contents of your safe.” For two seconds Fleel looked at him with a serious frown. Then he took a swift step backward and, thrusting his hand into his pocket* drew a large ugly looking automatic. Both Heath and Snitkin had watching him steadily, and as made this movement, Heath lightning speed, produced an matic from beneath the black of his wounded arm. The movements of the two men were almost concur­ rent; But there was no need for Heath to fire his gun, for in that fraction, of a second Fleel raised his auto­ matic to his own temple and pulled the trigger. t The weapon fell from his hand immediately, and his body slumped down against the .edge of the desk and fell to the floor out of sight. Vance, apparently, was little mov- • ed by the tragedy. However, after a deep sigh, he rose jistlessly and step­ ped behind the desk. Vance bent down. “Dead, Markham,—quite,” he an­ nounced as he rose, a moment or so later. “Consid’rate chappie — what? Has saved you legal worry no end.’' Most gratifyin’.” Snitkin' unlocked the handcuffs on yo-ung Falloway.. “Sorry, Mr. Falloway,” murmured Vance. “But you lost your self-con­ trol and became a bit annoyin’ . . . Feelin’ better?” .The youth - stammered: “I’m all right.” He was alert and apparently his normal self now. “And Sis will be home in a couple of days!” / THE1 END Sentenced for Forgery Harold Ferguson, of Eastnot Twp., was sentenced to three years io King­ ston Penitentiary when he pleaded guilty in police court to five charges of forgery. Concurrent terms Were imposed on all counts. Charges were laid by Chief Constable A. V. Shute and Provincial Constable Johnston, Wiarton, The checks were passed on W( S. Halesy D, Challenger and J< P. Sam, of Wiarton, and ranged in value from $15 ,to $60. Police said the checks bote the name of John Tacke- berry, a former employer of Fergu­ son. Urged Work on Bluewater Highway Returning from Toronto from heading a deputation from the Town Council and Goderich Board of Trade in connection with a Continuance of work on the Blue Water Highway, Mayor H. J« A. MacEwan said he felt reasonably hopeful that the interview With Hon. T, B. McQuesten might bring some results. It was pointed out by the delegation that this road is becoming a real tourist road, and that tourist traffic is the third poten­ tial wealth producing soufte of On­ tario, as It brings in new' money and wealth.