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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Herald, 1938-08-25, Page 2NiVV V'I+P�} A A O.QA04�A' ..YV' A 44'A 44�AeA�%4A{I44i4�N$q'D.POA A A4`A A A`�A A AAAA*J*M�gh'1.1. .f.�44p'FeYw.CTQASl4'PAM,/1'QA AG64* .,,4 .A I. 4 milm 1.91 iy: ':`� h M ' 1 PtJ Y A/py A 111 „' �� . i` Ir;., . S. .Van Dine ;f N u4L r zase a P ,�YY YY YYY YVRYRYYPYV YY YY YY VYYY YY YYYYY YP YYYYYPvvY YYYVVY4 4 v1•,�4�4.$ 4 4 5: 4 D s'• 446 e4*,A M 40.4 ,0 a a'�i.A4A,�,4,,,4,b O s`yS. .� '¢.cV,,,'4,.4: V'A� f� a4 .AA'V,.A_ 4 Synopsis: During the night Kaspar Kent- ing was kidnapped. Philo Vance with District Attorney Markham go to the Keating home there to meet Sergeant Heath of the Homi- cide Bureau, Kenyon Keating and Mrs. Kenting, the brother and wife of the kidnapped than. Pres- ent also is EIdridge FIeel, the Keating 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 first, then Mrs. Kent- ing's mother, Mrs. Falloway and her son, Fraim. He learns little hut notes an undercurrent of hos- tility among these members of the strange inhabitants of the Purple House. CHAPTER VI • "Before we go, sir,” Vance said, "we wish to speak with you for a moment in the den. There are one -or two points with which I feel you may be able to help us... Do you mind?" The lawyer rose with alacrity. In the den Fleet seated himself with an easy, confident air and waited for Vance or Markham to speak. "Mr. Renting tells us," Vance began,, "that his brother demanded a large sum of money recently, to meet his debts, and that, when the demand was refused, Kaspar went to you as ane of the execu- tors of the estate." "That is quite correct," Fleel responded. "I, too, refused the de- mand; for, to begin with, I did not entirely believe the story Mr. Kaspar Renting told me. He has cried 'wolf' so often," "Did Mr. Kaspar see you per- sonally?" "No, he did not. He called me on the telephone," Fleel replied. "Frankly, I didn't ask him for any details other than those he volun- teered, and I was rather brusque with him. . . I might say that Kaspar has been a trying problem to the executors of the estate." "Despite which," continued Vance, "I imagine his brother, as well as you yourself, will do ev- erything possible to get him back, even to meeting the terms of the re—tree—de note. Am I right?" "I see nothing &se to be done," the lawyer said without enthus- iasm. "Mrs. Kenting has informed us that Kaspar spoke to someone on the telephone when he came home in the early hours of this morn- ing, and that he became angry. I wonder if it could have been you he called again?" Asked For Thirty Thousand "Yes, damn it!" the lawyer re- turned with stern bitterness. "It was I. He woke nee up some time after three, and became very vitu- perative when I refused to alter my previous decision." "By the by, Mr, Fleet,"—Vance looked frankly at the man—"just how large a sum did Kaspar Kenting ask you for?" "Too large an amount even to have been considered," returned the lawyer. "He asked for thirty thousand dollars." "Thirty thousand," Vance re- peated. "That's very interestin'." He rose lazily to his feet and straightened his clothes, "That will be all, I think, for the mo- ment, Mr. Fleet," he said. FIeeI stood up, bowed stiffly and left the den. "What do you make of that dis- erepaney in the amount, Vance?" Markham asked in• -a gruff, low- ered tone. "My dear Markham!" Vance shook his head solemnly. "Thei'e are many things we cannot make anything of at the present mo- ment, One never knows — does one?—at this stage of the game. Perhaps young Kaspar, having failed with his brother, reduced the ante, as it were, in approach- ing Pled, thinking he might get better results at the lower figure. However, let's commune with the butler before we toddle on." Eavesdropping Vance went to the door and op- ened it. Just outside stood Weem, bending slightly forward, as if he had been eavesdropping. "See here, Weem," Vance halt- ed him. "Step inside a moment," he said with an amused smile. "You can hear better; and, any- way, there are one or two ques- tions we'd Iike to put to you." The man turned back without a word and entered the den with an air of sulkiness. "Weem, how long have you been the Renting butler?" asked Vance. "Going on three years," was the surly response. "Three years," repeated Vance thoughtfully, "Good. . . . Have you any ideas, Weem, as to what happened here last night?" Vance reached in his pocket for his cig- arette case, "No, sir; none whatever," the butler returned, without looking at any of us. "But nothing Would surprise me in this house. There are too many people who'd like to get rid of Mr. IKasper." "Are you, by any chance, one of them?" "I'd just as soon never see him again." "And who else do you think feels the same way about Mr. Kas- par Renting?" "Mrs. Falloway and young Mr. Falloway have no love for him, sir. And even Mrs. henting her- self has had more than enough of him, I think. She and Mr. Ken- yon are very good friends—and there was never any great love between the two brothers. . . . Mr. Kaspar is a very difficult man to get along with—he is very un- reasonable. urreasonable. He's the kind of man that strikes his wife when he has had too much to drink—" "I think that will he all." Vance broke in sharply. "You're an unspeakable gossip, Weem. He turned away with a look of keen distaste, and the butler shuffled from the room without any sign of displeasure or offense. "Conte, Markham," said Vance. "Let's get out into the air, I don't like it in this house—I don't at all Elie it." • -Unknown Mr. Quaggy Vance stopped at the drawing - room door, bade the occupants a brief farewell; and a minute later we were descending the outside steps of the house into the noon- day sunshine of the street. We entered the District Attor- ney's car and drove toward Cen- tral Park. When we had almost reached the corner of Central Park West, Vance Leaned forward suddenly and, tapping the chauf- feur on the shoulder, requested him to stop at the entrance to the Nottingham Hotel. "Really, y' know, Markham," he said as he stepped out of the car, "I think it might be just as well if we paid a little visit to the as -yet - unknown Mr. Quaggy, He's a gen- tleman of means and a gentleman of leisure, as well as a gentleman of nocturnal habits. He may be at home, don't y' know.. . But I think we'd better go directly to his apartment without appiiging him of the visit by being announc- ed.,' We had no difficulty in obtain- ing the number of Quaggy's apart- ment and being taken up in the elevator without an announce- ment. In answer to our ringing, the door vsjas opened by a gener- ously proportioned Negro woman. "We want to see Mr. Quaggy." Heath's manner was as intimidat- ing as it was curt. "I don't think Mr. Quaggy—r, "Never mind what you think, Aunt Jeri -Arne." Heath cut her short. "Is your boss here, or isn't he?" He flashed his badge. "'We're from the police." "Yes, sir; yes, sir. He's here." 'The woman was completely cowed by this time. "He's in the sittin', room, over yonder." The Sergeant brushed past her to the archway at the end of the EGET HURT? Issue No. 35—'38 JUST RUtl IT of Recommondcd by your local drotgitt EA CORN SALVE DUNKIN SALVE FOOT POWDER foyer, toward which she waved her arm, Markham, Vance and I fat- lowed him. The Gambier Type As we entered, a haggard, dissi- pated-looking man of about forty rose from a low lounging chair in one corner of the room, Ile seem- ed both surprised and resentful at our intrusion. He was unmistak- - ably the gambler type --that the type one sees habitually at gaming houses and the race -trick. "Forgive our uneerenaonious en_ • try, You're Mr, Porter Quaggy, I believe?" "What if I am? I don't under- stand why you—" "You will in a moment, sir,". Vance broke in ingratiatingly. And he introduced himself, as well as. Markham and Heath and me. "We have just come from the Rent- ings' down the street," he went on. "A calamity took place there early this morning, and we under- stand from Mrs. Kaspar Kenting that Mr. Renting was with you last night." Quaggy's eyes narrowed to'mere slits. "Has anything happened to Kaspar?" "We'll get to that later," Vance replied. "Tell me, what time did gy asked coldly. "The truth is, I began to worry about Kaspar." "Was it only Mr. Kaspar Kent- ing that yon were thinking About?" Vance inquired with a shrewd, fixed look. "I understand you're a close friend of the family and are very highly regarded by Mrs. Renting." "Glad to know it," muttered the man, meeting Vance's gaze square- ly. "Madelaine is a very fine wom- an, and I- should hate to see any, thing happen to her," Pair of Black Opals "Thanks awfully for the infor- mation," murmured Vance. "I think I see your point of view perfectly, Well, your premonitions were quite accurate. Something did happen to the young gentle- man, and Mrs. Kenting is fright- fully distressed." "Is he all right?" asked Quaggy quickly. "We're not sure yet. The fact is, Mr. Quaggy, your companion of yestereve has disappeared — superficial indications pointin' to abduction." "The hell you, say!" "Oh, yes—quite," Vance said. "When did this happen?" "Oh, early this morning some time," Vance informed him. "That's why we're here. Thought :ASY-TO-MAKE BELTS 437 'Y MAYFAIR No. 487 • Three lovely belts to add zest to your wardrobe—and each is sim- plicity itself to make. You use belting; novelty tapes and cordings, ribbon, linen or silk. Very fashionable, very colorful, very feminine. The pattern includes applique transfer for each of the designs shown, with stitch and color chart and assembling instructions. Serid 15 cents in stamps, postal note, or coins, to Mayfair Pat- terns, Room 421, Wilson ,Buildings, Toronto. you and Mr. Kenting get home last night?" "Who said I was with him when he carne home?" "Mrs. Denting informed us that you and her husband went togeth- er to the opening of a casino in Jersey last night, and that Mr. Kenting returned somewhere around three o'clock in the morn - in" "Even if it is true, what of it?" "Nothing—really nothing of any importance," murmured Vance. "Just lookin' for information. I note you're still bedecked in your eyenin' togs. And your pumps are a bit muddy. It hasn't rained since yesterday, don't y' know. Offhand I'd say you'd been sittin' up all. night." "Isn't that my privilege?" Didn't Distrust Him "Did you go to the Renting house with Mr. Kenting?" asked Vance. "No; our cab came down Cen- tral Park West, and I got out here. 1 wish now I had gone with him. Ile asked ane to—said he was worried .as the devil about some- thing, and wanted to put ane up for the night. I thought he was stewed, and didn't pay any atten- tion to hien. But after he had gone on, I got to thinking about what he'd said—he's always get- ting into trouble of one kind or another—and I walked down there about an hour later. But every- thing seemed all right. There was a light in Kaspar's room, and I merely figured he hadn't gone to bed yet. So I decided not to dis- turb him." "Dili you, by any chance, step into the side 'yard?"' "Just inside the gate." • "Did you see a ladder anywhere in the court?" ':.,ti ladder? No, there was no ladder." "Did you remain there long, Mr, Qua gyy,i o. I came back here and had drink." "But you didn't go to bed, I notice." "It's every man's privilege to sit up if he wants to, isn't it?" (lug,. 'maybe you could give us an idea or two." Quaggy finished the remainder of his• glass of whiskey. "Sony, I can't help you," Quaggy said. "I've told you ev- erything 1 know." Vance was at the archway now, and I was just behind hint. Markham and Heath had already preceded us from the room. Vance paused for a moment and looked down at a small conventional desk which stood near the en- trance. Quickly he adjusted his monocle and szrutinized the desk. On it lay a- crumpled piece of tis- sue paper in the centre of which reposed two perfectly matched dark stones, with a remarkable play of color in them—a pair of black opals! (CONTINUED NEXT WEEK) Beetles In the Beard That's a sign of manhood in the mountains of New Guinea. The beetles are rare, highly coloured varieties. When these are not available dressy young -men -about - village brighten their beards with birds' plumage. Earnings of the Swedish Mer- chant Marine last year were $91,- 126,800, a gain of 21 per cent. over 1936. NO MESSY WAX r0 men- FOR YOUR JAMS JEIIIE$•PTC, Use MEMBA-SEALS Clear as glass. Beautify your Jams and Jollies. Packet of 25Seals com- plete 100, at all grocers, druggists and 1Oc stored, Tomato Valued s' `alow.,Rditk rn 1r" Tonic and Natural Blood Pauri- faer-.-•-Freob or Cannet'1, This Fruit is a Splendid Source of Vitamins A, B, C and G. The old conception of the to- mato as the "love apple" has been reversed, and dietary specialists no longer believe that the vegeta- ble is valueless except for adding flavor and color to a meal. "Tomatoes are tonics, condition- ers and natural blood purifiers," says a dietitian. "They contain acids—correctives for the stomach. They are effective for preventing pelagra." "Both fresh and canned toma- toes now are known as excellent sources of vitamin C as well as vitamins A, B and G." Phis dietitian offers the follow- ing suggestions on tomato can- ning: "Select fresh, firm, red -ripe, sun sweetened tomatoes. Vine rip- ened tomatoes make a better flav- ored and colored canned product, but tomatoes ripened off the vine are about as high in food value as those ripened on the vine. When it is necessary to pick the green tomatoes and let them ripen be- fore canning, wax over the scar on the end of the green tomato, then place it in the shade to rip- en. They can be kept in good con- dition for several weeks if they are stored in a cool, well ventil- ated place to ripen. Preserve Vitamin C "Small red and yellow varieties are best for making preserves. "Since tomatoes are the best means of insuring the much need- ed vitamin C in the diet, care must be given to retain it, both in preparation and in the process- ing. "Expose juice or cut tomatoes to the air as little as possible. Avoid delay between steps in pre- paring, pre-cooking, processing and cooking after prodessing. Queen's Heart Is Enshrined IViarie of Rumania Expressed Wish That It Be Placed In The Chapel or Her Favorite Palace. King Carol has given final ap- proval of plans to enshrine the heart of his mother, Dowager Queen Marie, of Rumania, at Bal. elk. Queen Marie died July 13 and her body was buried sit days later in the royal Rumanian tomb at Iiurtea de Argesh. Her heart was kept in an urn in Bucharest and the king directed that, in keeping with her wish, it be taken next Monday to the shores of the Black Sea and placed in the chapel in the garden of her favor- ite palace at Balcik. The army and the government are planning elaborate ceremonies to honor the heart which beat, suffered and felt for Rumania." More than two-thirds of the no- tion pictures shown in Rumania in the last year were American. Wrigley's Qum helps you keep fit? Relieves that stuffy feeling after eating. Cleanses crevices between teeth, too,,. assures sweet breath. et simple aici to /health! 13uy some now! Small in cost but big in benefits! Enjoy it after every meal —millions do! cs-sa AAAAAAAAAAA Bedroom Hue Matches Tyne If You Want An 'E' ffeotJ i Back- ground for Your Personality, Pale Blonde SShpi-Id Use "Cantaloupe" Tint a:rd Co- coa Brown In choosing colors for your bed- room, you can pick these that har- monize with your type, cr yonr complexion, if you wish. Fee are a few pointers that you, Tey tinct helpful. If you are a pale b:•,nde, paper or paint your walls ani ceiling a l: ;'ht "cantaloupe" tint, with base- board, molding, and floor a cocoa brown, and see how flattering is this color scheme. For a blonde with bid ^•ht (ewe- plexion, try ivory white wal:s, ceiling and woodwork, with main e and green accessories an.l uphol- stery. For a blonde with light brown hair, experiment with the effect of pastel orange cream walls, ceiling and woodwora, or with walls and woodwork of coral pink and cream white furn rare. For a vivacious brunette, you'll find that a background of peach walls and pastel peach ceiling and woodwork will be flattering. You can use pale blue green in your draperies and upholstery. For a blue-eyed, quiet brunette, experiment with whlls a left vio- let blue shade and gray wood- work and blinds. Dusty pink and violet draperies woull complete the color scheme. • For a redhead with blue eye', try forget -me -riot blue walls and sherry colored draperies and a. deep blue carpeted floor. For auburn haired with brown. eyes, cream colored wails and woodwork, maple furniture, and a cypress green floor would all blend with your coloring. IT'S A L L TOWN AROUND —so why not get your copy of this week's Toron t o Star Weekly while in town. Extra values at no ex- tra cost . . . that is your positive guarantee when you buy Firestone Tires. Among these are Firestone's 2 Extra Cord Plies under the tread that bind the tread and body into an elastic inseparable unit making it safe at any speed. You pay nothing for this extra feature that gives you extra safety and extra mileage. Get the most for your money. Firestone Tires do not cost one cent more than ordinary tires. Have the nearest Firestone Dealer replace worn tires today. Specify Firestone tires as original equipment when buying a new car. LOW PRICED TiRES No matter how little you can afford for tires Do to the Firestone ealer first, He has a genuine Firestone tire to suit every purse that will give you the safest lowest cost mileage. ''i restone GUMDIPPED TIRES "MOST MILES PER DOLLAR"