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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Clinton News Record, 1942-04-30, Page 2PAGE 2 iiie Blue geranium by DOLAN BIR.KLEY One morning., the wealthy Mrs. Badman (Nina) Arkwright is found murdered in a caressing room of the swimming pool at a resort hotel in 'California. Janet' Cooper, 'swimming teacher, fears that Joel Markham will be accused. He operates a filen lab- oratory owned by Nina, and was re- cently heard to say that she deserved killing Beside her body, when found, is a broken flowerpot containing a blue geranium. In her hand, are some old newspaper clippings about a flier Danny McLeod, who lost his lifein (like Clinton flews -Record with which is Incorporated THE NEW ERA TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION 41,,50 per year in advance, to Can - adieu addresses; $2.00 to the U.S.' or other foreign countries. No paper discontinued until all arrears are paid unless at the option of the pub- lisher. The date to which every sub- scription is paid is denoted on the label. ADVERTISING RATES - Transient advertising 12e per count line for !First insertion, .Sc for each subse- quent insertion. Reading wants 2 Innes. Small advertisements not to exceed one inch, such as "Wanted," "I ,st", "Strayed", etc., inserted once for 054, each subisequent insertion 15c. Rates for display advertising made known on application, Communications intended for pub- iication must, as a guarantee of good faith, be accompanied by the name of .the writer. • G. E. HALL - - Proprietor . • H. T. RANCE NOTARY PUBLIC Fire Insurance Agent Representing 14 Fire Insurance Companies Division Court Office, Clinton Frank Fingiand. B.A.. LL.B. Barrister, So1idtor, Notary Public Successor to W. Brydone, K.C. Sloan Block: -- Clinton, Ont. .•tin.--.s,ra> DR. G. S. ELLIOTT Veterinary Surgeon Phone 203, Clinton • IL C. MEIR Barrister -at -Law Solicitor of the Supreme Co** c Ontario Proctor in Admiralty. • .Notary Public and Commissiotmtsr. Offices Is Bank of Montreal Building Hours: 2.00 to 5.00 Tgeedays and Fridays. D. H. McINNES CHIROPRACTOR Electro Therapist, Massage Office: Huron Street, (Few Doors west of Royal Bank) Hours --Wed. and Sat. and by appointment. FOOT CORRECTION by manipulation Sun -Ray Treatment Phone 207 EDWARD W. ELLIOTT '.Licensed Auctioneer For Huron Correspondence promptly answered, Immediate arrangements can be made for Sales Date at The News -Record, Clinton, or by calling Phone 203. Charges' Moderate and Satisfaction Guaranteed. HAROLD JACKSON Licensed Auctioneer Specialistin Farm and Household Sales. Licensed - in Huron and Perth Counties. Prices reasonable;, satis- faction guaranteed.: For information etc, write or phone Harold Jackson, RR. No, 4 Seaforth, phone 14 -661. 06-012. THE McKILLOP MUTUAL Fire Insurance Company Head, Office, Seaforth, Ont. .Officers: President A. W. McEwing,. Blyth Vice -President, W. R. ., Archibald', Seaforth; Manager and Sec. Treas., M. A. Reid, Seaforth. e Directors: Wen. Knox, Londeabero; Ales. Broadfoot, Seaforth; Chris, he Leonhardt, Dublin; E. J. Trewartha,l „ Z, Clinton; Thos. Moylan, Seaforth; W. 11,. Archibald; Seaforth; Alex McEw- len ing. Blyth; Frank McGregor, Clinton; Hugh Alexander, Walton. List of Agents: ,J, Watt, Blyth; J. E. Paper, Bruce- fol field, R.R. No. 1; IL F. McKercher." ' Dublin, R.R. No. 1; J. F. Preuter, ' ho Brodhagen. . .: yo Any money to be paid may be uaid fo Q7ommence, Seaforth, or at Calvin Cutt's Grocery, Goderich. • Parties desiring to effect inenr- ante or transact other buainese will gm be promptly attended, to on applies - tion to any of the above officers ad- dreesed to their respective poet ea. ems. Lessee inspected by the director a trans -Pacific air race promoted Nina four years ago. It (levelo that Danny's father is the hotel j tor, Mac, who reveals that Nina eretly put up the money for Danny enter the race. Captain Loring, the police, questions those who w at the pool when the minder was covered. Besides Janet, Joel and, M there are Kay Felding, Nina's\nie who will inherit her money; Ad Kramer, ex-wife of her husb< Bobbie Craine debutante Jack S felt, whom Bobbie; has been pur ing but who has been attentive Nina; and Mr. Jepperson, the hot assistant manager. THE _CLINTON NEWS -RECORD - THURS., APRIL 30, 1942 by Quillan this morning about half an pes hour before your wife's 'death. Dict ani you see her?" Se- "Yes," Rodman admitted.. to "Was that your first meeting with of" her?" ere. "N.o—I saw her Iast night. I'd lis- phoned her yesterday morning short xc, ;ly after my arrival, and tried to get ce, her to say she would take less than eie :$200,000. She insisted on' that tind,,• amount and said she Wanted at least ey- half of it by last night—in cash, too. su- I finally said I'd try to get the $100,- to 000 far her,'and made an appoint- eI's rent for herto met me at the Hotel Crillon, where I was registered then. She came there last 'night at eight - thirty." "And you had the money for her?" Loring asked quickly. "How the devil .diclhe get outwith that ax without being seen?" Loring rattled the paper as though trying. to shake the answer out of it "I've gone over that waiter's 'story a dozen times. He swears he kept an eye on the pool and who came away front it" "Have you questioned Mrs. Whit- ing?" "She bears him out about only two people leaving, claims to have seen the man- resembling 'Rodman Ark- wright and Adele Kramer," Janet glanced at her watch It was past seven now. She left the tennis court and struck off across the gardens. Once off the grounds of the hotel, she went to a drug store, used the telephone to summon a cab. When it canme, she told the driver to take her to the Hotel Knox in Santa Monica. Hotel Knox proved to be a small hotel in the midst of an apartment - house district. Janet dismissed the cab and walked into the lobby. She hurried to the self-operating elevator and shut herself in; •pushed the starter button and stepped out a moment later en the second floor. She found Room 216 at tbe end of the hall. It seemed, at first as though there would be no answer to her lcnock, She .waited with her .ear near the door: panel, but could hear no sound frons the ether side. Then came a muffled step, and the door swung in. 1U.t CHAPTER XII Janet found herself looking at a man with bright red hair and horn - rimmed glasses,. She guessed at once that this must be Rodman Arkwright. Be surveyed her apprehensively. "Reporter?" Janet shook her head. "Pnt fr the hotel Quillan. I—I've got tha message you sent Mrs. Arkwright." .' "Oh!" He stared at her in surprise '•'Yes.,' "Did you quarrel over the 'rest of the money she was demanding?" "Well, we argued about it and, when she left, we'still hadn't reached an agreement" "How long .was she there?" "About fifteen minutes." "How was she dressed?" "Dressed? She had ae a reddish suit and black hat." "Was there any 'one with her?" "No, but I remember thinking that she might have some one waiting for her outside, because she walked to a window once and looked out into the street," "Now, about this morning," said Loring, "Did you meet her again by appointment?" "No. I saw her by chance when I wont to the Quillan to take that mes- sage to her. You see, I moved over here from the Crillon early this mor- ning, because I wanted to be in a quieter, less conspicuous place for my meeting with Nina. I had to let her know where I was and. wanted to make a date with her for tonight, so I typed out that message on a telegraph blank took it myself to the Hotel Quillen. I got there about nine - fifteen, slipped the Message onto the dell. while the clerk was' busy, then went' outside. I was about to leave the grounds when I saw Nina walk- ing towards the swimming pool. 1—" "How was she dressed?" Loring cut in. "The same as last night. No—. she had en a different hat, a green one. And she was carrying a bundle wrapped in newspaper: I followed her. When I got to the pool, she o.wasn't in sight, so I went to the door t of the women's dressing quarters and called her name. She came out in a minute ,and I told her about leaving Come in, I've been waiting here ice—since I read the. early -after con papers. 1 thought the police ust have got hold of that message nd would conte here to question me." Janet stepped into the roone, "The. Lice haven't seen it." She went on explain how it had come into her ossession. "I didn't turn it over thein because I was afraid' it might mplieate, a friend of mine." ' "The fellow they arrested?" "Yes," Janet admitted, "It see. Do you know who I am?" "You're Rodman Arkwright aren't ti?" He nodded. "I can't deeide Wheth- to fade out or to stay here and ce things." "You 'ought not to leave now," Jan - told him. "You were seen at the uillan this morning — seen coming one the pool, "Was I?" Rodman frowned. "I nt to the ,Quillan to deliver that ssage for Nina myself: 1 should ve sent it' by a boy. Then----" Ile was interrupted by a resound- g whack on the door. Both he and net started. 'Who could, that be " 1 he said Then, the door opened, and Captain ring Stuck his head into the room. When he saw Janet and Rodman, smiled. Over his shoulder,: he, said, Walt outside, Corcoran." Then, he ntered the room and. shut the door. 'I'm Captain Loring of the police," introduced' himself to Rodman. ou needn't tell me who you are—I ow." • SD n mm1 a po to 11 to i yo er fa et Q fr we me ha in Ja Lo he Rodman just stared at him. Janet managed to say, "Yotu--you lowed me!" 'One of my men saw you leave the tel grounds, We caught up. with u when you stopped to telephone r a 'cab. Supose yov tell me just ow` you knew. where to find Mr. Arkwright.". Janet took Rodman's fake tele - am from her purse and gave it to Loring ,explaining how she had ob- tained it. "I see," he said, studying the mas- sage. Then, to Rodman, "When did You arrive here from New York and why did you come?" "I arrived by plane yesterday mor- ning. I came out here secretly to discuss a divorce with my wife. She was demanding a settlement of $200,- 0. I hoped to persuade her to take s.'p 'We have testimony that you, were en on the grounds of the Hotel to tbe Roya Bank, Clinton Ba ` o 1 ANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAYS TIME TABLE Trains will arrive at and depart from Clinton as follows: Buffalo and Goderich Div. Going 14: est, depart 6.43 anti,. Going East, depart 3.00 p.m. 00 Going West, depart 11.45 a.m. les Being Pleat, depart 9.60 p.m. London --Clinton Going eolith: ar, 210, ism 3,08 p.m, se 1 the message for hem." "How did she look—? mean, her face " "She looked awful! She had a black eye and a bruise on her chin. I asked her what the devil had happen- ed to her, but site said it was none of my business." "What else did she say?" "She didn't seem to want to tack to ate. She had *same newspaper clippings in her hand and kept look- ing trough'them. I saw, from some o fthe headlines, that they 'referred to that flier, McLeod, who was Iost in the air rade to Wanem that she promo- ted four years ago. I asked her what she was doing with the clippings, and she said vaguely- that there was trouble coming up in connection with McLeod's death." "Nothing more definite . than that?t, "No. She asked me to leave -- seemed seemed impatient to get rid •of tae." "And; you left her alive?" Loring asked smoothly. Rodman flushed. "I can: buy my women off = I don't have to kill them!" • CHAPTER XIII. Loring studied, the Inc of his shoe. Rodman, waiting for his next ques- tion, nervously fiddled with a pencil. Janet sat quiet, watching the two men. Then, Loring looked up. "Ark weight, do. you know of any social .af-. fairs your wife had planned for the near future?" "Hardly," easel Rodenen. "As I told you, I just arrived here yesterday." "When you saw' her last night and this morning, didn't she make any mention of a dinner party for this evening?" "You must be familiar with your wife's tastes," Loring persisted,. "What soot of decorative ideas was she fond of? You know, table dec- orations, stuff like that." Rodman looked, puzzled. "If you'll tell me what you're getting at, 1 might be able to help you." "All right. Your wife gave in- structions to the Quinin'e assistant manager to arrange for a private dining room for tonight. All the dec- orations were to be black—table ling en, china, flowers, even the drapes at the Windows." Rodman hid any surprise he may have felt. "Well, Nina had a liking for the theatrical." "She didn't drop any hint that would fit in with this Strange plan?" "Nothing at 'a11. When I saw her last. night, site was interested in the money 1'd brought her. This morn- ing, she had something on her mind about young. McLeod's death," "Death." Loring muttered the word thoughtfully. ?'That fits in with the black' decorations all right. It's a link after a fashion." Rodman shrugged. "There may have been some connection. Trying to follow Nina's thought processes was like following an eel through. water.".. "Your wife didn't ,say, this morning what she'd done with the money you gave her?" Loring asked suddenly. "I'd' have died of surprise if she did," Rodman retorted. He paused in lighting a cigarette. "Wait. That means you haven't found it." "It's true we haven't found any hundred thousand dollars,"; Loring admitted. "But then, we .werenrt looking for it, either." "The accounts in the papers gave the imipression you were pretty much up a tree. -Something about a missing fire axe. I suppose that's what Nina was killed with? "That's right. In some wJay, the murderer got rid of the weapon. It was big, hard to hide, impossible to destroy. When I find out haw that fire ax was smuggled .out of the pool enclosure --I'll have. my murderer." Rodman lit his cigarette with a new match. "It might be hidden in a mans trouser leg, fastened inside somehow. Of course, the man could not stoop when he had it there." Loring stared back sourly, as though George's having' seen Rod- man bend down to tie a shoelace was a bitter memory. Then, his glance slid to Janet. "Miss Cooper, if you're ready to go back to the Quillan, I'll escort you. Arkwright, I'm warning you now not to leave town. Don't get any ideas about skipping out. Your money wouldn't ease you out of a murder Sep." "I'll make things easy for you," Rodman said, ne if in .sud'en decision. "Since it's bound to come out that I'm here, I'm moving out to the Quil- len, I might as well be comfortable," Loring stood up. "Just as you please. Ready, Miss Cooper?" Janet walked out. of the room ahead of him. ' Covcoran was waiting in the hall. He smiled at Janet. She tried to smite back, but her face felt stiff. Her errand to check up an the fake telegram had achieved little. Rod- man Arkwright had a fairly good alibi; he had been seen leaving the pool before the time of Nina's death. Leading the polite to him hadn't helped Joel. It had, if anything, con- trasted Joel's helpless and cornered. position with that of Rodman. The latter lead been merely annoyed with Nina; Joel had, been desperate. Outside the hotel, Loring helped Janet into the back of a sedan. He and Corcoran climbed into the front. They carried on a low -voiced conver- sation all the way back to the Hotel Quillan. When they reached there, Loring escorted Janet to the door of iter room, which was in the second floor of the servant's wing. "I see Pnm going to have to warn you against meddling," he said gruffly, as they stood in the corri- dor outside her door. "Don't think I'm sore on my own account—ama- teurs usually play right into the hands of the police, as you did to- night. What I'm thinking about is your own safety. Suppose that enes- sage to Mrs. Arkwright heti been sent by some one who wanted' to keep his identity unknown at any cost. Imagine what might have happened to you inside that hotel room " Janet nodded dumbly. "Tend to your own business • and let tis tend to orris," Loring went on, not unkindly. "Promise?" Janet 'shook her head. "No, I can't promise. You're trying to railroad the man I love." "With as =oh as we had against Markham," Loring said, "I had no choice but to arrest him on suspicion. The fact that I've locked him up doesn't mean I'm sitting back with what I have." Janet studied his face. Behind the cold, official mask, she caught a glimpse of Loring's. real nature. On a sudden impulse, she put her hand in his. "Good' night" He smiled. "No •hard feelings?" "I'll try not to have." "Goode night, then.' He turned, walked down -the cor- ridor, and went through a glazed - glass door that led into the `. main. part of the hotel, Janet opened her doom, entered her .room. and started toward a floor lamp. Then ,she became aware of sadden darkness closing her in. Looking behind her, she saw the. door to the hall slowly shutting, For an instant she had, the impression that it was swinging of its own ac - Then, it shut with a little bang. Janet stood still. "Whoever you, are," sle said quietly, "you'd better get out. Captain Loring just left rue. One scream would bring him back." There was no answer, but Janet was sure she was not alone. A wave of prickling cold, went up her ;back. "THE T O l9 Loyal citizens do not hoard. They buy only for their im- mediate needs. They cheerfully adjust their standard of living, realizing that their country's needs must come first. They do not try to gain unfair ad- vantages over their neighbours. Are you a hoarder or a loyal citizen? Are you hampering Canada's war effort by un- necessary buying? Or are you People who buy more of any- thing than they currently need, and merchants who encourage them to do so, are sabotaging the war effort and are therefore • public enemies. co-operating to the best of your ability to save Canada from such horrors as Hong Kong? If Canadians do their duty, there will be no more hoarding. Everyone will get a fair share of the goods available. More food can be sent to Great Britain. More raw materials -- more manpower — will be available for makinff_guns, tanks, planes and other armaments to back up our armed forces. In cases where itis advisable for you to buy in advance of your immediate requirements—such as your next season's coal supply—you will be encouraged to do so by direct statement from responsible officials. WARTIME PRICES AND TRADE BOARD OTTAWA raw She could now see the lamp shade, a lighter blotch against the dark wall to her left. As she moved to reach it, she saw it rise ,caught a glimpse of a crouching shadow be- hind it; Then, it crashed clown upon her. She felt herself trip over some piece of furniture, flung tout her arms, then struck against the bed -post. (The characters in this serial are fictitious) (TO BE CONTINUED) V --- HELP THE RED CROSS IN CHURCH "God comfort those who suffer in this war," the parson prayed. The sun shone in through coloured glass; vibrant, the organ played. Deep in my foolish heart I asked, "How much does God take heed? Thousands of hearts are broken and a million people bleed!" And as I sat remembering only such things as these— The victims of the devil's work were rescued form the seas; A thousand nurses stooped to ease a thousand soldiers' pain; A hundred Spitfire pilots arose to clear the skies again; Many a foster mother kissed some little orphaned child; Smoke -blackened firemen fought huge fires with spirits undefiled; Ten million willing, outstieched hands fed homeless, hungry folk; A tired crowd underground laughed at a wounded actor's joke; :White helmeted young doctors braved a screaming shower of death, Binding up hurts, speaking ]rind words restoring failing breath. "Oh thou of little faith," He said, And mumbled deep,I bowed my head. ---Joan Frances Austin, 111,0016111111011.11011110 AN APPE L To the Citizens of Clinton Once more the Red Cross Society is appealing to you for funds to carry on its work of mercy among our seamen, our soldiers ,our airmen, everywhere they serve. The quota for the Clinton Branch is $3,000, a larger one than ever before. This• is necessitated by the fact that in 1941 the Red ¢toss had no campaign for funds. To add to this since 1940 the Society has inaugurated Blood Donor Clinics which must yet be in- creased so that those Canadians turnable to fight ran supply blood to make good some of that shed by aur fighting hien overseas. It is necessitated by the fact that each week 40,000 parcels of food are sent to our amen in the .prison camps of Germany .and plans are underway to contact those in the brutal internment camps. at Hong Kong• We have been asked by the British Government to in- crease these• parcels to 80,000 a week. No ether organization in the world can each your imprisoned boy but the Red Cross. No other cavi help you find your boy listed as missing. At present it may be some one else's boy but some day it inay be your boy. With Hitler poised to strike with the madness of frustration, who lean doubt that the need for aicl will be greater than ever before? • And time Red Cross must be prepared-- must be prepared with your dollars. The citizens of Clinton leave proven their generosity over and over again. The opening date of the campaign will be May 11. We trust you will ,receive the canvassers generously. ' Keep alight, "The Light that Never Fails" Signed on behalf of The Clinton Branch of the Red Crass,' E. D, FINGLAND.