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
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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.