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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance Times, 1935-07-25, Page 6PAGE EIGHT SYNOPSIS Six persons are in an inner office of the law firm of Dawson, McQuire and Locke at Philadelphia. A master hearing in the divorce case of Row - 'land vs. Rowland is under way. Mrs, .Rowland, represented by her lawyer ''brother, Mr, \Milliard; Mr. Rowland, -the defendant, and his attorney, Mr. Trumbull; the court clerk and Mr. Dawson, the master, are the six per- sons. There is a new development in the case. After failing to defend 'fine - self against the charge of adultery in earlier hearings, Mr. Rowland digs up evidence and asks the court's permis- sion to produce witnesses and resist the suit. Judge Dawson overrules the heated objections of Mr. Williard, and orders Mr. Trumbull to bring in the first witness. Mr. Trumbull has just gone to an outer office to bring the witness but finds her dead—chloro- formed. She is Mrs. Barbara Keith, wife of a prominent business man. judge Dawson phoned for the police. Detective Tommy Rankin is assigned to the case. He is now questioning all of the parties involved in the case. NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY, According to the court reporter's record, that was all he said namely, that at 11:30, a stranger, who Mr. Wil- lard later informed him was Mortim- er Keith, husband of the murdered woman, appeared unexpectedly from the hall, looked about as though puz- zled, and then left quickly without a word. •3t) Rankin, now, the incident was of utmost significance. Months before it could even have been conjectured that his murdered wife would be a leading witness to Mrs. Rowland's own infidelities, Mr. Keith had been present at the scene of Rowland's ap- prehension! What could his interest in that intrigue possibly have been? How was he apprised of the rendez- vous at the Inn, and what did he ex- pect to find there? Instinctively, Rankin perceived an immediate answer to these questions was essential to the solution of the crime. Going to the office door, he ;called to Jenks to summon Miss Ed- mond. When the secretary appeared, he -motioned her to a seat and returned to the lawyer's swivel chair. "Sit down, Miss Edmond," he said brusquely. "You know, of course, I have charge of the investigation of this crime. I am questioning every- one connected with the divorce hear- ing. You are the corespondent, I believe; I suppose then that you re- call all that happened the night of Wednesday, February first, at the Sunset Inn." Perfectly composed, the girl smil- ed quietly. "Yes, quite clearly," she admitted freely. "I could hardly for- get it as I was unfortunately involv- ed." "You've also been told," the detect- ive pursued, "that the dead woman is Mrs. Keith—Mrs, Mortimer Keith. ;Are you acquainted with her or her husband?" Though Jill Edmond's tone did not ,change, he caught an expression of wariness in her gaze before she could veil it. "No, not personally, Mr. Rankin. As Mrs. Rowland' secretary, I never %rad occasion to deal with them, Of course, I've vaguely heard of theist .as people prominent in Philadelphia society." "I have here the corujlete story of the , er ... escapade at the Inn." Rankin tapped Mr. Simpkin's steno- graphic report. "Among other facts, it states that at eleven -thirty, just of- ter Mrs. Rowland invaded the bed- room, Mr, Keith arrived and entered behind her. At least, you remember that?" As he paused, the girl merely nodd- ed, her very silence an indication of her vigilance, "What I want to learn, Miss Ed- mond, is why he appeared Iike that? How was he connected with this af- fair between you and the Rowlands?" The secretary shook her head. "I don't think.I can tell you that ,sir," she answered. "I don't know why he cane. In fact, he was a total stranger to me until some time later Allen . 111r. Rowland identified hini as Mor- timer Keith," "Surely he must have offered some explanation for his intrusion into an embarrassing domestic scene in which he had no concern," Rankin pressed. "I don't believe he said a word," Miss Edmond returned. "He didn't re- main over a minute; he just came in from the hall and looked about; then he seemed to realize he was meddling and turned and went out silently." Rankin sensed that she chose her words carefully. "You have no idea what brought hini to that particular place at that time?" • Imperceptibly the secretary hesitat- ed, bait her reply positive p y was posatai e and dir- ect. "Not the least, Mr. Rankin. He probably had no reason. If he hap- pened to be stopping at the Inn that night he couldn't help coming for- ward when he heard the commotion." `I was my own detective, said Mr. Rowland. The detective placed small stock in this idea. He retired to the library where Dr. Sackett waited, impatient to present his report and get away. His exam- ination of the body confirmed Dr, Clark's original diagnosis. "Thanks, very much, doctor," Ran- kin said, when the physiican complet- ed his summary. "Now, I'd appreciate it if you'd do one more service for me before you leave. Attend to ship - WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES ping the body to the morgue," Grumbling, Dr. Sackett neverthe- less proceeded to supervise the dis- posal of the corpse. Hardly had he gone when Johnson appeared from 1505, tying his fingerprintkit toge- ther. "I'rn just about finished in there, "These gloves were stuffed in the bottom of the waste basket," said Johnson. Tommy," he said. "I've located plen- ty of prints all over the place—on the table, the desk and the bookcase. All I need now is to find out who owns then." "Well, I've had the entire staff de- tained,' Rankin 'returned, "so you can !take their prints, And practically ev- ery visitor who entered fifteen -o -five chair. "No, I'm ready to discuss actor important matters with you," lie sai "primarily about your evidence o your wife's'infidelity with cant-Oen. .Rou laud made hitnseif comfortable Flit a cigarette and. offered Rankin one "I fy lawyer • doesn't know any thin about it personally. "Only what Mrs Keith and `I were lucky enough t discover two weeks ago; we both wen to hini and gave him the details." "Well, exactly what was this occur rence that gave you the .chance to de fend? And bow did Mrs. Keith hap pen to be a witness to it?" "Only accidentally; when T needed some one to bear out my story, she was fortunately in a position to help me." Rowland plunged into his ac- count. "Bat long before my affair with Miss Edmond, my wife and I disagreed because of her friendships with other men. I knew she had many admirers; but 1 had no reason to be- lieve that she was misbehaving with any of them. After she brought suit, however, I moved into my own ap- artments and began to watch her closely. What was sauce for the Bose, I decided, was sauce for the gander, and I hoped in the end, to get evidence that she was being un- faithful. I a..as my own ,detective. First, I paid her chauffeur, Donald Finley, to keep ane posted as to when she went out in the evening—both when he drove her himself, and when she dismissed him, because some one else'was taking her. On those nights, for the last two months, I waited out- side the estate in my car. When she and ,her visitors left, I would follow them all over town—to parties, the- atres and dinners. And Hugh Camp- bell was her most frequent compan- ion." • "How long has he been acquainted with your wife?" Rankin asked. "Where did they meet?" "At, Saratoga last summer. Adele bets on the races regularly, and Camp- bell had a couple of horses entered on which she placed bets. They won, and afteriard mutual acquaintances introduced them; that was the begin- ning. 'Then, last winter, we were at Palm Beach where he had taken a villa; she attended his parties and they saw much of each other at the is here too. Get Jenks to help you ! casino and on the beach. He visited with that." He paused. "How about marks on the dors and windows, did any come from there." ' The expert shook his head. "No- thing doing, I'm sorry to say. I ex- amined the sills and knobs thorough- ly, but they were as clean as a whis- tle." "And the chloroform bottle? Were e c1, • 0 t (there any prints on that?" Again Johnson shook his head and the detective pursed his lips in dis- appointment. The expert raised a hand and smil- ed quizzically. "One moment, Tom- my, not so fast. Have you searched the office that held the body at all?" "No, I haven't had time," Rankin replied. "I made a pretty complete canvass of the place while collecting my prints; and I located something I sup- posed you had missed. These were stuffed way down in the bottom of the wastebasket under the desk—out of sight." Johnson produced a pair of yellow sport suede gloves, of expensive qual- ity. Turning back the cuff, the de- tective disclosed the label of an ex- clusive haberdashery on Chesnut St. They were clean and little worn, and he eagerly noted their size, 7V4. The expert sarted to leave, "All right, Tommy, 1,11 do the best I can," he promised. "I rather expected you'd be interested in my find." Now he returned to Mr. Dawson's office, switched on the central light and summoned Allen. Rowland. He motioned the young man to a FLYING TO NORWAY Thor Solberg of 1 iookiy.n who tools of from Seven Islands, Lot Cart- New York th raid Oscanyon, radio operator,, 'right, Labrador on a Melt from to etY, Norway. Philadelphia fairly regularly and has been a guest at the Willard home." "Was the divorce . entirely Mrs. Rowland's wish? You opposed it and would have done all in your powier to prevent it?" The young man spread his hands to emphasize his reply. "Certainly I op- posed it," he declared vehemently. "I had everything to lose by it -the in- come Adele settled on me, plenty of leisure, and social position, And I was trustee of my wife's first hus- band's estate; that was most import- ant. For that, I was as :anxious to stay married as Mr. Willard was to force us apart," Rankin's voice held a note of fresh interest. "Mr. Willard? Ho* did it affect him? Had he .a personal con- cern in the divorce 'besides his pro- fessional desire to win the case?" "He benefited by it decidedly!" Rowland gave a short, scornful laugh. "The minute Adele was single, the executorship of Tom Marshall's e4- tate—and with it the power to man- age its income—reverted to him. But as long as the marriage lasted, I had charge. It was all part of Marshall's clever arrangement to make it difficult for Adele to marry a second time." "Difficult?" The detective frowned his perplexity, "You'll have to ex- plain, Mr. Rowland. How did he ex- pect to accomplish such a purpose?" The other shrugged. Quite simple, through his will, Rankin. You see, Toni Marshall was a smart man and understood his wife as well as I do. Anda jealous husband. It seemed in- evitable that at his death she would marry again and he intended to fore- stall that, So in his wily, he fixed it that whoever she married next would be independent of her. In fact, he, would actually manage her financial affairs and, through them, her, at least with regard to his property." "Exactly what did the terms of the will provide?" Rankin inquired. "In the first place, he made her bro- ther executor of his estate so long' as Adele remained single after his death, he was to direct all investments for both their benefits and turn over to her at least Seventy per cent. of the annual income. Or, if she married again and was then 'divorced, the con- trel reverted to hini. Naturally, it was to \WVillard's advantage to keep her a widow; and if she' should re- marry, induce her to separate. (Continued' Next Week) TIMOTHY PREFERS TO TRAVEL ON THE OLD BUS To the Editur av an thhn Wingham paypers. Deer Surly iS:hurs, isn't it the \+burst mix up ye ivir did see in pollyticks at the iris int tonne 'Tis loike Donnybrook :Pair in the ouid Counthry whin wiry Thursday, July 25th, 193 TEN INJURED IN TRAIN WRECK A huge Pennsylvania railroad loco- motive is shown after it was derailed and overturned at Sandusky on hit- ing a truck trailer. The engine tore persons were :hurt, three seriously. up the tracks for several hundred yards before it carneto a stop; Ten op. man goes into it wid a shillalay in his hand ready to rap the fursht fel. lah ,on the head who dares to shtep on. the tail av his coat, as he drags it along the ground jist shpilin fer a foight. 'Tis the ristlissniss av the age that sames to be the thrubble wid payple. Fellahs wantin to hev new cars, lash - ter an shoineyer than theer ould wans, skools changin taichers, wimmin want - in new, shtoyles av hats twoice a year, ivirybody wantin aisier jawbs, an more money fer doin less wurruk, an some min, yis, an wimmin too, di- voorcin theer loife partners an takin on nein models. 'Tis a quare wurruld, so it is, wid single girruls wantin to git married, an the married wans wishin they wus single agin. Shpakin av changin cars moinds nae av the pollytickle situwayshun as it is today. Fellahs do be runnin motor busses, an throyin to git the payple to thravel wid thim, an hilp pay fer the gas an graise an oil they all same to nade. I hev looked over all the busses that do be advertoised to run to the Town av Proshperity, an tink that we had betther shtick to the ould Tory Gas Wagon, wid Mishter Binnitt at the whale. Av coorse it is purty ix- pinsive roidin wid hini, fer a lot av fellahs do be thravellin an passes, an the resht av us hev to pay fer thim. Thin too, the radio equipment he put into his bus Iasht winther, cosht a lot av money, an some payple don't same to loike the noise av it afther all. This Stevens fellahs purtind they hey found a new road, an a shorter wan, than the wan the Binnit an King busses hev ,been travellin fer years, bort I prefer the ould Tory hoighway, oven wid all its detoors. 1 hev list heered that the U.F.O. an C.C.F. an Stevens bus loines do be tinkin av amalgamation, but I don't know if the shtory is thrue arr not. The Ring busses are shtill runnin, an same to pick up a lot av passeng- ers in some parts av the •counthry. They do be competin shtrong wid the other loines fer the transhent thrade, but the busses are afther naidin anew coat av paint, an more powerful mot- ors, to git ye annywheer. Yours fer the ould Tory Gas Buggy, Timothy Hay. JUDGE'S DECISION AFFECTS COTTAGERS Townships Have Right to Tait Cot- tages on Government Property. AI:decision which is expected to have province -wide ramifications, es- pecially in tourist areas, has been handed down by Judge W. G. Owens, of Bruce County, In two test cases in division court, Kincardine, on which he reserved judgment, he has ruled that the defendants must not on- ly pay taxes for land on which their cottages are situated, but 'must also pay costs. ' Rev. H. Sanderson, of Chesley, and John Mustard, of Brucefield, declined to pay taxes on land. at Inverlauron;. where they have summer cottages,. Kincardine Township entered an ac- tion against them, though the cottag- ers claimed they were on government- owned land. The Judge ruled that for assessment purposes township proper- ty extended to the middle of the lake.. Accordingly, the defendants are liable for assessment. Other cottagers at Inverhuron, which lies in Bruce and Kincardine Townships, must'also pay as a result of the decision. At Bruce Peach, in Huron Town- ship, a somewhat similar condition exists. Linder Judge Owen's ruling the township' can collect taxes. For some time, the Provincial Government has been collecting a tax from the cottagers there. Residents at Bruce Beach declare they will take action against the province to ,recover mon- ey paid it if Huron Township assess- es them. ONOMtY MODERN FIREPROOF HOTELS CONVENIENTLY LOCATED EASY PARIONFAOURES Professional Directory J. W. BUSH -FIELD Barrister, Solicitor, Notary, Etc. Money to Loan. Office -- Meyer Block, Wingham Successor to Dudley Holmes. IR. S. HETHERINGTON BARRISTER and SOLICITOR Office Morton Block. Telephone No. 66. H. W. COLBORNE, M.D. PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Medical Representative D. S. C. R. Phone 54. Wingham A. R. & F. E. DUVAL. CHIROPRACTORS CHIROPRACTIC and ELECTRO THERAPY North Street Wingham Telephone 300. Dr. Robt. C. REDMOND M.I2.CrS. (England) L.R.C.P. (London) PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON F. A. PARKED OSTEOPATH All Diseases Treated. Office adjoining residence next to Anglican Church on Centre', St. Sunday by appointment. Osteopathy Electricity Phone 272. Hours, .9 a,in. to 8 p.m. Business ADVERTISE IN THE ADVANCE. TIMES THOMAS FELLS AUCTIONEER ILEAL'ESTATE SOLD Titorougla knowledlge of Parra Stole, :P'liOne 231., Wtlghatfti. J. H..CRAWFORA Barrister, Solicitor, Notary, Etc. Successor to R. Vanstone. Wingham Ontario DR. W. M. .CONNELL PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Phone 19. J. ALVIN FOX Licensed Drugless Practitioner CHIROPRACTIC - DRUGLESS THERAPY -, RADIONIC EQUIPMENT Hours by Appointment. Phone 191. Wingham Directory Wellington Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Established 1840, Risks tale on all classes of insur- ance at reasonable rates. Head Office, Guelph, Ont, ABNER COSENS, Agent. Wingharn. , It Will Pay- You to Have An EXPERT AIICTIONEER to conduct your 'sale. See T. R. EENNTT At The Royal Service Station. Phone 174W. HARRY .FRY Furniture and Funeral Service C. L.• CLARK Licensed Embalmer and l'ualeral Director Ambulance Service, • Phones: Day 117. Night 109. THOMAS E. SMALL LICENSED AUCTIONEER 20 ' ''ears' Experience In Patin Stock and irnplementts. Moderate iPxrices. ?,tone 331.