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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Clinton News Record, 1942-07-02, Page 2PAGE 2 • THE CLINTON `. NEWS -RECORD 1re Niue Geranitm by DfbLAIV BYRi{LE'1l Mrs, Nina Arkwright is found uiur- after Adele is foundkillecl. Captain dered.in a dressing room of the swim- Loring of the police thinks that both women May have been killed for $1,00;000 which Nina hid in a flower- pot — that she nuxedthis with another pot, and that Adele later ob- tained the right one. Janet and Joel. catching. Bobbie exploring Joel's roomy 'search Bobbie's room and find the missing money. When they turn it over to Loring, he reveals that one baffling point — ;how the murderer could have taken. the fire ax away -from the pool after Nina's murder without being seen — has been clear- up. An ax still at the pool, not the Missing one, was the weapon. ening pool at a 'resort hotel. Beside her, is a broken flowerpot. .A miss- ing fire ax is believedto be the mur- der weapon. Those at the pool atthe thus include Janet Cooper. swimming teacher; Joel Markham, young chem- ist who was assoeiaed with Nina in business; Adele Kramer, `ex-wife of her estranged, husband; -. Kay Feld - pian, her niece; Bobbie Graine, debs u- -tante; and Mr. Jepperson :the hotel', assistant manager. Joel is arrested, but is released the next morning, The Clinton News -Record with which is Incorporated THE NEW ERA. Trams OF SUBSCRIPTION $1.60 per year in advauce, to Can - adieu addresses; anadian.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 ecription is paid is denoted on the label. ADVERTISING' RATES — Transient advertising 12c per count line for first insertion. 8e for each subse- quent insertion. Heading collate 2 lines. Small advertisements not to exceed one inch, such as "Wanted," I "Lost", "Strayed", etc., inserted once for 36g, each subkequent insertion - 15c. Rates .for display advertising' made known on application. Communications intended for pub- lication must, as a guarantee of good faith, be accompanied by the .name of the writer. G. E. HALL - - Proprieter IT T. RANCE NOTARY PUBLIC Fire Insurance Agent Representing 14 Fire Insurance Companies Division Court Office, Clinton I Frank Fingland.•B.A.. LL.B. Barrister, Solicitor, Notary Public Successor to W. Brydone, K.C. Sloan Block Clinton, Ont. DR. G. S. ELLIOTT Veterinary Surgeon Phone 203, Clinton H. C, MEIR Barrister -at -Law Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ontario Proctor in Admiralty. Notary Public and Commiesd000r. Offices In Bank of Montreal Buildmq ]lours: 2.00 to 5.00 Tuesdays and Fridays. D. H. McINNES CHIROPRACTOR Electro Therapist, Massage Office: Huron Street, (Few Doors west of Royal Bask) Hours—Wed. and Sat. and b appointment. FOOT CORRECTION by manipulation Sun -Ray Treatment Phone 207 HAROLD JACKSON Licensed Auctioneer Specialist in Farm and Household Sales. Licensed in Huron and Perth Counties. Prices reasonable; satis- faction guaranteed. For information etc. write or phone Harold Jackson, R.R. 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. Directors: Wm. Knox, Londeaboro; Alex. Broadfoot, Seaforth; Chris. Leonhardt, Dubbn; E. J. Trewartha, Clinton. ThoA Moylan, Seaforth; W. R Arc tiba d; Seaferth; Alex McEw- ing. ing. Blyth; Frank McGregor, Clinton; Hugh Almade!', MRCVS. List of Agents: J. Watt, Blyth; J. E. Pepe Bruce - field, RR. No. 1; In F. McKercher. Dublin, R.R. No. 1; J. F. Preuter, Brodhagen. I` I to thmoney to mad mabe e Royal Bank,Uiintorr',nasals or Commerce, Seaforth, or at Calvin Cull's Grocery, Goderich. Parties deeiring, to effect lawns once or transact other business will be promptly attended to on applies - tion to any of the *bete coleus min dressed to .tbei see. Lessee inspe�he dirsedr 1 ANABIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY T1ME TABLE .. Tratss wi aril!. atlad depart fires Cll*ba as toilworn:.- EatIdls sad Gsdes'idh Dir., Going EMIL, 4epaat ..a ss. Going Idiot. depart 1.00 tea. Gobi WWeel. �t o0 an. Doing Pm• Salm dorsa sr i io, leans 9.M pa CHAPTER XXX "What about. Aclele's murder?" asked Janet; "If she too, was killed with an ax, it must have been the missing one that was, used on her." "That's right," said -Loring. "As Mr. Markham says, the murderer pro- bably took it away from the peal the night before Mrs. Arkwright's death simply to confuse the police and es- tablish an -alibi., He probably hid it somewhere with no intention ,of using it but, when he decided to kill Miss Kramer. .he retrieved it. "Now, apparently, he has hidden it again—arid hidden it well! My men have gone through the rooms of all the persons connected/with this case,. they've searched all vacant rooms, the. service departments, the grounds; the gardens. That ax isn't to be had!" Let's hope he isn't planning to use it again," Joel said grimly. "We've got to guard against that." Loring rose. "Well ,this isn't getting the Craine girl questioned, Corcoran has probably got hold of her by now. I'd like for you two to come to that banquet room. and listen' in on irhat she says. If you catch her in any lies, let me know." He guided them to the pantry men- tioned, then left them. Opposite the door by which they had entered, was the swinging door to the .banquet room. They tiptoed to this. Peeping' through the crack be br•okeir flowerpot hat been found be- side Miss leacher, too. I guess that's how I happened to notice the bits of dirt in one of the upstairs halls while I was on any way to my room. It wasn't much dirt, but it made a -little' path right to Mr. Markham's door. "I went on to my own room ono got dressed. but, all the thne, I was thinking about that dirt and won- dering whether ib might have come from Miss Kramer's .flowerpot. So, after I was dressed. I decided' co go back and look in Mr. Markham's room. Sure enough, I found some More dirt on his floor. I ,began` se drehing, then, for .something hid- den. When I found all that money stuffed in the bed springs, I just gasped: "Well, I was sure the murderer must have put it there, so '1 thought I'd better take it. I put it inside my shirt, and then, for some reason — I don't know,why _ I started, picking up someof the dirt on the floor. While I visas doing that, some one knocked on the door . and I got so scared that I crawled under the bed. "In a minute. Kay and Miss Cooper came in, and then Mr. Markham. After they'd talked for a while, Kay went away. Mr. Markham went into the bathroom to shave and, while he was there, Miss Cooper looked under the bed and said I'd better get out. She 'must have seen me under there, somehow. 'Anyway, 'I thought it was awfully decent of her not to give me away. 1 went back to my room and, put the money in that purse." Loring cleared his throat. "Now, Miss Craine, you know that, in police work. • we have to check people's stories very "carefully. I want you; to tell me yours again." "The whole thing?" " • "That's right." With obvious reluctanee, Bobbie began all over again. Her inflection became mechanical. She was nearing the end of her tale and was elaborating on her dis- covery of the money, when Loring soddenly cut in on her. "Just a minute. How did you say you happened to go to Markham's room?" "Mr. Jep. No I mean the dirt. The—the dirt on the carpet in the hall." "Go on about Mr. Jepperson," Lor tween the door and its frame, Janet ing said mildly. "I—I didn't mean, that," Bobbie faltered. "That was earlier." "What was earlier?" Bobbie began to sniffle again. "I —I suppose I'd better tell you. I saw Mr. Jepperson coming out of Mr. Markham's room, but • that was early this morning. About seven o'clock." "Corcoran, go get Jepperson and bring im•here," Loring snapped. could partly see Corcoran, seated be- side the long table. She couldn't see Bobbie, but she heard sniffling. - Then, Loring entered the room. Something hit the table with a loud thump. "Recognize this p. u r s e, Miss Craine?" Loring asked curtly. There was an indistinguishable murmur, interspersed with sobs. "So it is yours?" Loring contin- ued. "It has quite it lot of money in it perhaps you'd' tell me just where you got all this money." "I—I meant to come and tell you about it before." Bobibe faltered, but the statement didn't sound very con- vincing. "'I—I found it in Mr. Mark - ham's room. Perhaps you know that already?" "You just go ahead and tell us your story/' Loring said blandly. "Do you know where the money came from in the first place?" Bobbie asked. "Why—ah—suppose you tell me that, if you know." "Well, it's .just an idea of mine. You see, my room looks out onthat little courtyard . where these potted geraniums are and, on the night be- fore Mrs. Arkwright died, that maid Colette wasn't the only person who. saw her there. I was awakened by the sound of some one running, so I got up and looked; out the window. Like Colette said, this woman was there by the brick wall, fooling with the potted plants. I didn't think anything aobut it at the time. and went back to becl. The next day, though, after Mrs. Arkwright was found killed with that broken flower- pot beside her, I began to yonder whether she had hidden something valuable in it, and whether that was the reason she was killed. "Then, that night — last night I was at my window aagin, and 'i saw Miss Kramer down there by the wall. I recognized her because the moonlight was quite bright. She seemed to be poking her fingers into one flowerpot after another. Then she took one away and went into the servants' entry." "Did any one follow her?" "Not—not that I saw," Bobbie said hesitantly. "But about fifteen minu- tes after she had gone, Kay sante along, and stopped by the wall. I heard a little scraping noise as though she'd picked up a pot and put it down again. After a"while she went away. Well: with so many people interested in those flowerpots, I began to wonder about them still more. "Then, this morning, after you had told us about Miss Kramer's murder and while we were leaving to go back to our rooms, some one—I've forgot- ten who—said •they'd heard that a CHAPTER XXXI Janet and Joel, listening in the pantry, heard Corcoran lumber from the other room to carry out Loring's order. After that. there was silence, broken only by Bobbie's sniffling. About five minutes passed before Corcoran returned with Jepperson.;, The latter entered the room pro- testing. "Really, Captain Loring, is all this quite necessary? I have a job here an important job. A hotel does"n't run itself." Loring ignored. his protest. and came straight to the point. "What were you doing in Mr. Markham's hoom about seven o'clock this morn- ing?" "In in Mr. Markham's room?" Jepperson stammered,' "You're mis- taken. lI wasn't—" "Don't lie," Loring snapped.."Miss Craine saw you." "You were shutting the r door," Bobbie put in. "I saw you, and you looked funny' and, scared." "No such thing! I wasn't scared!" Jepperson denied. "Well, you looked queer." "By the way, Miss Craine;" Lor- ing interjected, "How did you happen to be, there? I don't recall that your room is anywhere near Markham's." "Well, I wasup early because I was going to wash my hair before break- fast. I found I was out of shampoo soap. and I thought the beauty -parlor girl might have some in her room. I was on my way there to borrow some, when I saw Mr. Jepperson." "Did he see you?" ..-" "No He looked like he was too dazed to see anything. He just kind of staggered. away." "Ridiculous!" •Jepperson protested. "Captain, don't list i to this girl. She, doesn't knew what, she's talking about." "I do, too," Bobbie insisted. "Cap- tain Loring, that was one of the rea- sons I went to Mr. Merkham's room later — because Mr. Jepperson acted so queer. It wasn't just his being there—,he's the assistant manager anti has •a right to go anywhere in the hotel he pleases --but, when he came out of that room, he looked like' some one had hit him or something." "All right, Jepperson," Loring said brusquely. "Come ons',hat Neva 'you doing.in''Markharo's room?" 1—ah—well, it's true 1 was, there." Jeppoason admitted halting- ly. You see, Mr. Markham was in jail, and I---" on-ev"Did you go there to hide, the mon- ey.?" ,,, "No! No! 'Absolutely not!" Jep- perso ,cried out, with sudden: fervor. "I didn't even know there was 'any money! It wasi quite by accident that I found it!" "Aha! Now we're getting some- where," Loring said, in a tone of. satisfaction, "So you did locate same money? Where?" "In—in the, springs of, Mr. Mark - ham's bed." "Go on, Why did, yon go in there in the first placeand why did you look under. the ,bed?" Jepperson heaved a deep sigh. "Well, this is how it happened, though I suppose you won't believe me. I had scarcely slept all night, worrying about Mrs. Arkwright's murder. ' I kept trying to figure it out, and I wondered' why on earth. she had been carrying that potted geranium around with her. I finally decided that she must have had some- thing hidden in it that the murderer wanted. In that case, he would have cached, whateyer it was. Since you'd arrested Mr. Markham. I: decided I'd search his rooan and see if I could find anything suspicious. That's what I did, as soon as I. got up this morning, and—and that's how I hap - mined to find the money." "That's pretty weak, Jepperson:" Loring said flatly. "The money could- n't have been there more than a short time before you found it, since the murderer had only just got it. Do you realize you are incriminating. yourself by admitting you were there at that tine?" "I—I don't understand'," Jepperson quavered. "How could the murderer- have only just got it? Didn't he get it when he killed Mrs. Arkwright?" "No. He got it from Miss Kram- er's flowerpot. Mrs. Arkwright had the wrong one. "Oh" "Why' did you keep quiet about your find? Why didn't you report it to me at once?" There was a moment of silence be- fore Jepperson answered. "Because—because of what I found with the money," he said finally. "You found something'•else?" "Yes." Jepperson paused. "The— the ax." ' '''What!" Loring bellowed.. "Do you mean to say the missing five ax was there in the -bedsprings?" "That's right." Jepperson made a gulping sound. "Captain, I—' 1 con- fess onfess I did wrong 'in not telling you this before, and I assure you that 1 left that room with every intention of phoning you at once, but I was un- nerved ani! I first went to rey own room to get a drink of whiskey. I needed it! "Then, after I pulled myself togeth- er and was on my way downstairs to get in touch with you. I met Miss Cooper and learned that she had just found Miss Kramer killed. I was staggered and I realized suddenly that the ax I'd .seen must have been used on Miss Kramer only a short time before. That's why I didn't tell you about it when you came. I feared that you wouldn't believe my story-- that tory—that you would think it very suspic- ious that I just happened to find the ax so soon after Miss Kramer's death. Really I—I was terrified, lest you think that I myself had put it there under Mr. Markham's bed." • "Didn't you?" Loring asked wibh the sharpness of a pistol shot. "No! No! I swear I didn't! Why should'I kill poor Miss'IKramer-or Mrs. Arkwright, either, for that mat- ter?" "The sum of $100,000 is motive enough," Loring pointed out. "Oh, this — this is dreadful!" Jep- person wailed. "I've told you the truth —'I swear I have!" "Well, we'll see," Loring said non- committally, "Now Miss Grainer why didn't you say anything about this ax? Was it there when you took the money?" "Oh, • goodness, no*" Bobbie cried. "I couldn't have taken the money if there'd been an ax there that ax!" "Jepperson. you didn't remove it, did you?" "Absolutely not! I wouldn't have touched it with a ten -foot pole!" In the pantry, Joel drew Janet away from the swinging door and spoke in a whisper. , ,,r "If Jepperson is telling the truth, the ax must have been removed ,from the bed between the time he saw it there and the time the police arrived. There wouldn't have been time after- ward: sin ce Loring had every one rounded up almost at once. My guess is that it has been kept on the move ever since, shifted about from place to placeas the hotel was being' searched." "If only Jegperson could find it!" Janet breathed. "I have a plan -"Joel hesitated. "You remember I told you'%that, in. THURS., JULY 2, 1942 r AN ARMY EVEitY CANADIAN MAY WELL BE iPIROUD OF Crouched and poised, with disciplined impatience, waiting to pounce at the enemy, is Canada's great army which will form the spearhead of that'ecisive offensive just about to be—"a dagger pointed at the heart of Hitler." That something, that the vastness and ruggedness of this great country imparts to men who have still a strong strain of pioneer blood in their' veins, has made possible the mustering of an army unsurpassed for physical fitness, and which in mental mould and moral might is the most magnificent that has ever set forth to defend the freedoms and uphold the honor of this young and virile nation of ours. We, of Massey -Harris, are naturally proud that many from the various divisions and branches of our far-flung organization are serving in the ranks of this great army. It is gratifying, also, that the thousands in our several plants are permitted to play an important part in providing the machines and 'munitions so essential to the success of that army in modern mechanized warfare. And the great Canadian Army which has, as our Minister of National Defence says,, "a larger proportion of armored troops than any army in -the world," will be 'a decisive factor in hastening the day of victory. the newspaper files on McLeod's flight, I found an item which was in- teresting. As a result, h sent a tele- gram: to New York. I should have an answer tomorrow, and I, think the answer may clear things up." "But - tomorrow. So much can happen before then!" said Janet. "I know." Joel's hand gripped her arae. (TO BE CONTINUED) (The characters in this serial are ' fictitious) V Presentation to Miss Helen Britton (Intended• for last week) A. very pleasant evening was spent at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Austin Dexter ,on Friday, June 19, when over 125 neighbours and friends gathered to honour and present Miss Helen Britton with a gift in the event of her caning marriage. A short program was enjoyed dur- ing the earlier part of the evening. The grogram 'commenced with the singing of several r' familiar songs, after which the chairman, Mr. Metz - ie in his usual capable manner payed. high tribute to theguest of honour. Mrs. John Ferguson and Mrs. Ray Finch favoured the company with a piano duet, A readingwas given by Mrs. Roy Lawson. Mrs. Gumoldby sang a solo, accompaning herself on the guitar. Marie and Alexander Menzie sang a duet. To conclude the program. games were enjoyed by the young people under the supervision of Mrs. Nottingham. Helen was then called forward and Mrs. Ernest Adams read the following address: Dear Helen: We, your neighbours and friends are assefirbled here this evening to i, express m a small way the high es' - teem in which you are held, and to wish you much joy in the event of your coming marriage. s , It is with a feeling of pride and pleasure, that wesend you forth to a new community, knowing that such a capable and splendid person as you will do honour to both your new and former community,,. We certainly regret 'your leaving us and we shall miss your cheery ways and charming personality. There is great truth in the old saying that what is one's loss is another's gain. This surely applies to you, Helen, as you will be missed among your many friends. Your many talents have been used unsparingly to promote the great work of Your Master, The interest and time which you have so freely 'given to the church and its work have have been appreciated to a large ex tent by us all, and especially have we appreciated your time and persever- ance in the duties of our. choir. As choir leader and ;organist you have endeavoured to pass on to the mem- bers"of your choir your superior mus- ical ability and such advantages which perhaps would not have come our way, only for you. We know that your place will be difficult to fill, and that we shall not realize our great loss 'till you have gone from our midst.. You have endeared yourself in the. hearts of the people not 'only within the bounds of your 'own 'community. but also in the neighbouring commun- itiesi where your field of work has taken you. - At this time we wish to present you with this gift not because of any intrinsic value that may be attached to it, but rather that it will be some little remembrance that you may look upon through the years that are be- fore you, knowing that you shall al- ways be remembered in the' minds and hearts of your old friends and. as- sociates of _Constance. We assure you that it is our earnest hope and prayer. that God's Blessing will fol- low you wherever you may be and that happiness; good health and' pros- perity will always, be yours. A beautiful silver tea service was presented by Misses Viola Dexter and Donald's. Adams. Helen expressed her thanks in a few well chosen words. At the conclusion of the evening lunch was' served by the hostess.' ' WHAT YOUR WAR SAVINGS STAMPS CAN.; ACCOMPLISH $10 will stop a` tank with one round of 18 or 26 -pounder shells. $20 buirs a cannonade, of four 8.7 `nch anti-aircraft shells. AUBURN (To, late for last week) A 'large number of ladies of the community met in the Foresters Hall on Tuesday to see the display of sew - ng and knitting which the ladies. have done for the Red Cross. Some 25 quilts were on display also childrens dresses, pyjamas, socks, sweaters, scarves, gloves, helmets and boys clothing. The president Mrs, Mo- gridge presided and opened the meet- ing with the National Anthem and O Canada. The scripture 121st psalm was read by Mrs. Frank Camp- bell. The secretary Mrs. Fred, Ross gave a reoprt of the number of ar- ticles which had been forwarded tea Headquarters since the war started. She also gave the quota of knitting and sewing which is to be done by the end of September. The treasurer Miss Josephine Weir gave the finan- cial report. A solo was rendered by Miss Josephine Weir. Mrs. Branch of England but who is now living at Port Albert was the guest speaker, and gave a extremely interesting talk on her experiences in England and Wales since the war has started. She made, special mention of the parcels from Canada which are received in England and, how much they are ap- preciated. She urged her hearers to keep up the great work they are do- ing. Mrs. Gordon Taylor favoured with a solo. A silver basket of roses and 'forget -me -nets centered the table from which Mrs. Lawson and Mrs. Mogrid'gepoured tea. Isabel ;Rollinson, Vivian Straughan, Hazel Bentley and: Dorothy McVittie assis- ted in serving, the sandwiches and cookies. Mrs. Percy Gibbs of Detroit is visiting her sister Mrs, Harvey Mc .Gee.• Mr. Jas. Medd, R. J. Phillips, Nel- son Moulden and Mrs. E. Phillips at- tended the funeral of the late Mrs. Roy Medd at Goderich on ' Tuesday. Mrs. Medd passed away at her home in Port Huron, on Sunday following a month's illness.