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Home My WebLink AboutZurich Herald, 1938-08-18, Page 2IX ♦"i~♦'''♦`'• o ♦Y•I•:•: ♦Y♦,Y,r`8"PT4'•.•TO•YiV•PYo'eT4Y4Yo • E 0.1'f:4,14.T,•:.:• • kTg•X••♦Xi'iT•'.•;'• �i. ,k,•A•�.•wr•a, .�•r•..� ♦ .. w ,., .�•�.•r..v•f•r•w•w .,.•�„•s. n ,,, a, .+. 4•�. �, r•,r. �.•,f+ 4' 1.4 • I1The ►4 Kidnap 6y 14 +. • ♦ ►; dr s S. Fane I 4 1 ♦, TTXY TT T T TX Y N T Y Y Y TT YA ?;,i1:_ 4..v, i„a ialstla � 0, � :: 0 esa a,,o a :ssasessasio 4;.0 0,, �o ese y� 4o- �a ss .eeS y s + t Synopsis During the night Kaspar Kent- ing was kidnapped. Philo Vance with District Attorney Markham go to the Kenting home there to meet Sergeant Heath of the Homi- cide Bureau, Kenyon Kenting and Mrs. Keating, ,the brother and wife of the kidnapped man. Pres- ent 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 Keat- ing butler. Further search shows that Kaspar probably did not go down the ladder found outside the house. Vance re-examines Ken- yon Keating. Benyon Kenting fidgeted a bit and shifted his position in .the chair. He did not answer at once. But at length he said, in a half- hearted tone, "I would prefer not to go into that, inasmuch as I re- gard it as a personal matter, and I cannot see that it has any bear- ing on the present situation." "That is a point for u- to de- cide, I believe," Vance said in a peculiarly hard voice. "We should like you to answer the question." "I'm afraid, sir," put in Mark- ham, in his most aggressive official manner, "we must insist that you answer the question." "Very well," he said resigned- ly. "If you insist. On Monday my brother asked me for a large sum of money—in fact, he was persist- ent about it, and became some- what hysterical when I refused him." "Did he state what he required this money for?" asked Vance. "Oh, yes," the man said angr- ily. "The usual thing—gambling and unwarranted debts connected with some woman." "Would you be more specific as to the gambling debts?" pursued Vance. Gambling Debts , "Well, you know the sort of thing." denting again ship e�cl in his chair. "Roulef e, black -lade, the bird -cage, cards—but princi- pally horses. He owed several bookmakers some preposterous amount." "Do you happen to know the names of any of these book- makers?" "No, I don't." "What was so urgent about this as to produce hysterics?" "The fact is," the other went on, "Kaspar told me the men were unscrupulous and dangerous, and that he feared for himself if he did not pay then: off immediately. sweetener on your morning cereal because it is easier H►vt to digest. Don't let constipation dull that happy smite. Give Steedman's Powders, the miid, gentle laxative specially made for babies and growing children. For more than 100 years Mothers everywhere have trusted Steed man'stokeep children health- fully regular from infancy to early teens. FREE Sample and Booklet "hints to Mothers" on request. Write John i ired.man & Co., Dept. 19 442 St, Gabriel Street, Montreal 97N �C-.-r2'STEE`D AN'S �� dram •, 7ecthingio7aens PONDERS Look far the double EE symbol on each 1tckage., rw.- - *WM. Issue No, 34•--'-'38 D Your Child He said he had already been threatened," "And you denied your brother the money?" "I had to," asserted Kenting "The amount would almost have beggared the estate, what with so nuieh. tied up in what we've come to call 'frozen assets'." "Did your brother approach Mr. Fleel about the matter?" Vance asked. "Yes, he did," the other return- ed. "Whenever I refuse him any- thing he goes immediately to Fleel. As a matter of fact, Fleel 1' :s al- ways been more sympathetic »ith Kaspar than I have. But lCas- par's denian.d this time was ut- terly outrageous, and Fleet turn- ed him down as definitely as I .did." "Has Mrs. Kenting any money of her own?" Vance asked unex- pectedly. Nothing of Her Own "Nothing—absolutely nothing!"• the man assured him. "She is en- tirely dependent upon what Kas- per gives her—which, of course, means some part of what I allow him from the estate." "In view of this morning's oc- currence," suggested Vance, "it may be that -your brother was not • unduly exaggerating about the necessity for this money." "That is a horrible thought, sir," he said, half under his breath. "When you receive further in- structions regarding the ransom money, what do you intend to do about it—that is to say, just what is your feeling in the matter?" "As a brother," he said slowly, "what can I do? I suppose I must manage somehow to get the mon- ey and pay it. I can't let Is;asper be murdered. . ... It's a frightful situation." "Yes, quite," agreed Vance. "And then there's Madeline. I could never forgive myself . . . I say again, it's a frightful situa- tion." "Nasty mess. 1Zat11er. Still, I have a groggy notion," Vance went on, "that you won't be call- ed upon to pay the ransom money at •all. ... And, by the hy, Mr. Kenting, you didn't mention the amount that your brother asked . for when you •last saw him." . "I was hoping you wouldn't ask me that question," he said regret fully. "I avoided it purposely, for I am afraid it might create an er- roneous impression." "How much was it?" snapped Markham. He Wanted Money "Well, the truth is," Kenting stammered with evident reluc- tance, "Kaspar Wanted fifty thous- and dollars. Sounds incredible, doesn't it?" "I imagined that was the fig-, ure," Vane e murmured. "Thanks awfully, Mr. Kenting. We sha'n't bother you any more just now, ex- cept that I should like to ]mow whether Mrs. Kenting's mother, Mrs. Falloway, still lives here in the Purple House ?" "Oh, yes," Kenting said with disgruntled emphasis. "She still occupies the front suite on the third floor with her son, Mrs. Kenting's brother. But the woman is crippled now and can get about only with a cane." "What about the son?" asked Vance. "He's the most incompetent young whippersnapper I've ever known. He always seems to be sickly and has never earned so much es a pct nv, •'3e's perfectly content to live here with his moth- er at the expense of the Kenting estate." The man's manner now had something of resentment and venom in it. Vance rose. "Would you be so good as to take us upstairs?" he asked • "I'll be glad to," Kentint; said, and started for the door. We fol- lowed him, A Striking Woman Mrs. Falloway was a woman be- tween sixty and .sixty-five years old. She had an intelligent and canny expression, and her fea- tures were large and striking. She impressed me as a woman with an iron will, but also with an innate sense of loyalty and sympathy. When we entered her room that morning Mrs. Falloway was sit- ting placidly in a wicker armchair in front of the large bay window. At an old and somewhat dilapi- dated walnut secretary sat a thin, sickly youth, with straight dark hair which fell forward over his forehead, and large, prominent features. The pale youth held a magnifying glass in one. hand and was moving it back and forth over a page of exhibits in a stamp al - "These gentlemen wish to speak to you, Mrs. Falloway," Kenyon Minting said in an unfriendly tone.• .. " ,.,. ,-....... When he had gone, Vance took a few steps toward the woman with an air of solicitation "Perhaps you remember me, Mrs, Falloway--" "Oh, very well, Mr, Vance. It is very pleasant to see you again, Do sit clown in that armchair there, and try to imagine that this meager zoom is a Louis -Seize sal. on," Vance bowed formally. "Any room you grace, Mrs. Falloway," he said, "becames the most charming of salons." He .did not accept her invitation to sit down, however. "What do you make of this sit- uation?" she went on. "And do you really think anything,,, has happened to my son-in-law?" Her voice was hard and low-pitched. "I really cannot say just yet," Vance answered. "We were hopin' you might be able to help us," and the woman acknowledged the introductions with dignified grac- ioi'siress. "This is my son, Fraim," she said, waving with a bony hand to- ward the anaemic young rnan at the desk. "Philatelist?" asked Vance, studying the youth. Heard Door Bang "1 collect American stamps." There was no enthusiasm in the lethargic voice, and .Vance did not pursao the subject. "Did you hear anything in the said with sudden kindliness. "But I am so well isolated these days with my infirmity. Walking, you know, is quite a painful process for me. I'm afraid I'm growing old." In the hall Vance waited till the door was shut.. "An amusing old girl," he re- marked. "Her mind is as young and shrewd as it ever was. , . Unpleasant young citizen, Fraim. He's as ill as the old lady, but he doesn't know it, Endocrine imbal- ance," Vance continued as we went downstairs, "Needs medical attention. 1 wonder when be had a basal metabolism taken last." "He simply looks like a weak- ling to rue." "Oh, yes. Doubtless, As you say, devoid of stamina. And full of resentment against his fellow- men - and especially against his brother-in-law." When he had reached the lower hall Vance went immediately to- ward the drawing -room and step- ped inside. The Clipped Mustache Mrs. Kenting•, who seemed per- turbed and ill at ease, sat rigidly upright on the small sofa where we had first seen her. Her broth- er-in-law sat beside her, looking at her with a solicitous, comfort- ing air. Fleel was leaning back in Decorative Cross -Stitch Sampler . 'Kari ._i. _ 'a �. ..-. sss MAYFAIR No. 206 Quick and simple cross-stitch on bright linen or silk and you have a beautiful and decorative sampler. .A. young girl will also find it de- lightful to make this sampler along with two others that are included, and it will be something that she will proudly display as her very own. One cannot begin too soon to teach young folks the pleasure to be derived from beautiful handwork. The pattern includes transfers for three wall decorations, the cross- stitch sampler shown above (size 10 x 12) and two pictures for em- broidery (sizes 10 x 12 and 9 x 12), detail chart of stitches used, work- ing instructions, color suggestions and finishing. Send 15 cents for this pattern to Mayfair Needlework Dept., Room 421 Wilson Buildings, Toronto. house (ally this morning?" Vance went en. Fraim Falloway shook his head without any show of interest. "I didn't hear anything," he said. "I was asleep." Vance turned to the mother. "Did you hear anything, Mrs. Falloway?" "I heard Kaspar coma in — he woke me up banging the front. door shut." She spoke with bitter- ness. "But that's nothing new. I »vent to sleep again, however, and didn't know anything had happen- ed until Madelaine and Mr, Ken- yon Keating informed me of it this morning, after my breaichast." "Could you suggest any rea- son," asked. Vance, "why anyone should wish to Kidnap l:aspar Renting?" "No. But I can give you many reasons why anyone should not wish to kidnap him," she returned with a hard, intolerant look. "He is not an admirable character," she went on, "nor a pleasant per- son to have around. And I re- gret the day my daughter married him. However, I wouldn't wish to see any harm come to the scamp," "And why not, mater?" asked Psalm Falloway with a whine. "You know perfectly well he has made us all miserable, including Sis. Personally, 1 think it's good. riddance." "Don't be s indictive, son," the woman reproved hint with a sud- den softening in her tone, as the - youth turned back to his stamps. -Vance sighed as if this inter- change between mother and son bored Ism, Unbalanced Mind "Then 'you are not able, Mrs. Falloway, to suggest any reason for Mr. Kenting's sudden disaps. pearance, or tell us anything that might be at all helpful?" "No. I know nothing, and have nothing to tell you." "In that case," Varice returned politely, "I think we had better booing downstairs," The woman picked up her cane and struggled to her feet, despite Vance's protestations. "I wish I could help you," she an easy chair near the desk. ."I know you told us, Mrs. Kent- ing," Vance began, "that you could not describe the men who called on your husband several .nights ago. I wish, however, you would make an effort to give us at least a general description of them." "The fact is, Mr. Vance, I paid little attention to there, but I know that one of there was a large man and seemed to me to have a very thick neck. And, as I recall, there was a lot of grey in his hair; and he may have had a clipped mustache." "Your description, madam," re- marked Vance, nodding his head, "corresponds to the appearance of a certain gentleman I have in nind; and if it is the same person, Christie's "Ritz"... e,fhose toasted and tasty, nutty flavored, slightly salted little wafers ... bit the mark every time. ";there's a Christie Biscuit for every taste" your impression regarding the clipped mustache is quite cor- rect—" "Oh, who was he, Mr. Vance? Do you think you know who is re- sponsible for this terrible thing?" "No," he said, "I'm deuced sor- ry I cannot offer any hope in that particular quarter. If this man who called on your husband is the one I think it is, he is merely a good-natured book -maker who is at times aroused to futile anger when his clients fail to pay their debts. I'm quite sure, don't y'lcnow, that if he should pop in here again at the present moment you would find him inclined to ex- ert his efforts in your behalf. I fear that we must dismiss him as a possibility." As Vance spoke he rose from his chair and turned to Fleel, who had been listening intently to Vance's brief interchange with Mrs. Kenting. (CONTINUED NEXT WEEK) Household Hints Meats for ragouts, stews, cas- serole dishes, and pot roasting need not be from the choicest cuts. Remember when carving or cut- ting up before cooking to cut across the grain rather than with the meat fibre. You will have a tenderer dish. Keep the covering on your ironing board clean. Launder fre- quently and replace when scorch- ed, since white materials pressed on a scorched board may also ap-, pear yellow. Never starch an ironing board cover. Turning a rug around frequent- ly distributes wear evenly and lessens shading particularly notice- able in plain color rugs. Shading is not discoloration—simply pile flattening. Vigorous brushing or use of a vacuum cleaner ~sill help raise the pile. Looking for a pretty gift for • your week -end hostess? Then how about a dainty handkerchief box, stocking box or glove box filled with a select variety of small -sized jars of jams and jellies? Better Late In 1916 a young Austrian lieu- tenant wrote a love letter to his girl. When she received it the other day she haci been married td the writer of it for 19 years. In the same year, an English- man, Henry Stepan Mous.`, threw - a Lottle containing a mes'u'ge in- to the English Channel front a troopship. The finder was asked tri forward it to Miss G. M. Sev- erin, his fiancee. The finder did so ---this year and found that Miss Severin was Mr. Blount, and had been for 19 years! ose Leaf Pillow Filling A Room With its Frag- rance, It Makes An AMcrractive Object. A rose leaf cushion makes an at- tractive addition to the drawing room or the guest room in summer- time. Collect the rose petals in a bas- ket every fine day, and then place them in shallow cardboard. boxes in the sunshine to dry. Meanwhile, make a muslin bag tc hold the petals, which should be large enough to form a good-siz; d cush- ion, and as the petals d:y they can be dropped into it without further handling. When the bag appears full, the Petals should be thoroughly shaken up and more added if necessary as the bag must be well flied to be satisfactory. Before stitching the muslin bag along the top, sprinkle in a f,ew drops of a good rose per- fume, and also add some potpourri if available. This will accentuate the sweetness of the ross leaves. Such a cushion requires a dainty covering, and rose colored satin or a soft shade of green with dark red velvety roses embroidered on it would be ideal. Danish Women Enjoy Cigars So cigars are a man's smoke— and a he-man°s at that? Don't you believe it. Danish women love them, and it's a common sight in Copenhagen's smart 'restaurants to see charming members of the fair sex puffing away at small cigars, which are considered preferable to cigarettes. And while we're on the topic of smokes, the little town of Bunde, Germany, has a cigar museum which contains the world's Largest cigar—nearly six feet long and two feet in circumference. Put that in your pipe and smoke it! :Help improve your personality with Wrigley's Gum. Keep your teeth white, breath sweet, by using healthful Wrigley's Gum daily—as millions do. The chil- dren also love the delicious re- freshing flavor of Wrigley's Double Mint. Take some home today. .sat AAAAAA®A®i4 A do sssgr.�sA P$•.La...' HEM i 1 lu �'/ r•tr'.�" SHREDDED WHEAT is nature's most per- fect cereal grain containing vitamins, mineral salts, carbohydrates and proteins, in well- balanced combination. It's the whole wheat that supplies these vital elements which help keep the mind alert and develop sound growth and strong muscles. The Canadian Shredded Wheat Compafy, Ltd. Niagara Falls - • Canada