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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Herald, 1938-09-08, Page 2cot..17� 7,4 4:4 6.ri ;40 i"4;,014�"J OYP O}Hv?sR a} 40;i0K,.}.� /',ud}f}o•"o}0'}a�!0}o , O''"0),zs}"0}opt .. .,• AA AAA AAA A!h oA �. A t AAaM +,.A A,�AM�e M.h �,.AA•.A.�1.` 0 4 lie Kidnap 6y o% S. S.V.an Dine 1r�1 ,N4urder1;1 6etl4Y/ 1rO@WaX.. AaIam_P:ar24 $;..:?y:P0iYXY NO. 4� o Synopsis Kasper Kenting disappears. Philo Vance, District Attorney Markham and Sergeant Heath of the Homicide Bureau investigate the Keating home and question Kenyon Kenting and Mrs. Kent- ing, Kaspar's brother arid wife, in the presence of Eldridge Fleel, Kenting family attorney. Vance doubts the kidnapping story. He further questions Weems the but- ler, Mrs. Kenting's mother, Mrs. Falloway and son Fraim FalIa- way, and Porter Quaggy, racont- eur friend of Kaspar's and last person to be with him. All reveal an undercurrent of hostility to Kasper. At this time a ransom note arrives demanding $50,000 and freedom from police interfer- ence. Vance and Markham con- sult the Kentings and Fleet, their lawyer. It is decided to allow the police a free hand in dealing with the supposed kidnappers. CHAPTER VIII "1 think I'll go down to my office now," he said wearily, "and try to raise the cash." Then he added to Markham, "And I think the police had better go ahead with the case." He turned quickly to Fleel with an interrogative look. "I'm sorry I can't advise you, Kenyon," the lawyer said in an- swer to Iienting's unstated ques- tion. "It's a damned difficult problem on which to offer posi- tive advice. But if you decide to take this step, I think I should leave the details in the hands of Mr. Markham, If I can be of any help—" "Oh, don't worry, Fleel, I'll get in touch with you." Renting turn- ed to the dark corner of the room. "And thank you, Quaggy, for your kindness; but I think I can handle the situation without your assist- ance, though we all appreciate your generous offer." Markham was evidently becom- ing impatient. "I will be at my office," he said, "until five o'clock this afternoon. I'll expect you to communieate with me before that time, Mr. Kenting." "Oh, I will—without fail." When we were back at the Dis- trict Attorney's office, Markham sent immediately for Heath. As soon as the Sergeant arrived the ,tuation was outlined to. hien, and he was shown the letter which Flees had received. He read the note hastily and looked up. "If you ask me, I wouldn't give those babies a nickel," he com- mented gruffly. "But if this fel- low Kenyon Kenting insists, I suppose we'Il have to let him do it. Too much responsibility in try- in' to stop him." The Appointed Spot "Exactly," asserted Markham emphatically. "Do you know where this particular tree is in Central Park, Sergeant." "Hah!" Heath said explosively.. "I've seen it so often, I'm sick of lookin' at it. But it's not a bad location, at that." "Could you and the boys cover it," asked Markham, "in case Mr. Kentii" does go through with this and we decide it would be best to have the spot under surveillance." "Leave that to me, Chief," the Sergeant returned confidently. "There's lots of ways of doing it. Searchlights from the houses along Fifth Avenue could light up the place like daytime when we're ready. And some of the boys hid- ing in taxi -cabs, or even up the tree itself, could catch the baby who takes the money and tie him up in bow -knots." "On the other hand, Sergeant," Markham demurred, "it might be better to let the ransom money go, so we can get young Renting back that is, if the abductors are playing straight." "Playing straight!" Heath re- peated with contempt. "Say, }lief, did you ever know any of these palookas to be on the level? I says, let's catch the guy who SUFFERERS OF— rueumaiism, Neuralgia. Ari bum Svvollen Ankles, Sprains, and Other I'll) 11:4 Why Endure Needless Pain? rl1Y !VU1$ \ l::tiv roll-If71,1.T;'it. it penetrates but does not blistelr tar burn SUPERIOR 50 750 Thci gest Rub For Athletes Special introductory offer Both Sixes for $1.00 SUPERIOR LINIMENT CO. :'.i 4:ft17NVIIidt t' ST, ToltONTO Fsale this nt1. owl it WM $nve you money. comes after the money, and we'll give him the works at Headquar- ters." In the pause that followed Heath's last words Vance spoke. "Really, y'know, Sergeant, I think you're going to be disap- pointed. You may round up some-' body, but I doubt if you will ever be able to connect your victim with the kidnapping. I have an idea it is designed to throw us off the track. Still, the experiment may be interestin'. Fact it, I'd be over-joyed to participate in it my- self." "You like to climb trees, maybe, Mr. Vance?" Heath asked. "I adore it, Sergeant," Vance told him. "But 'I simply must change my clothes. What would , you suggest as an appropriate cos- tume?" "Try rompers!" retorted Heath. It was four o'clock that after- noon when Kenyon Kenting arriv- ed. Vance, eager to be on hand for anything new that might de- velop, had waited in Markham's office, and I stayed with hint. Renting had a large bundle of $100 bills with him, and threw it clown on Markham's desk with a disgruntled air of finality. Fifty Thousand Dollars "There's the money, Mr. Mark- ham," he said. "Fifty thousand • good American dollars. It has completely impoverished me. It took everything I owned.... How do you suggest we go about it?" "I'll give the matter careful consideration," he -answered. "And I'll get in touch with you later." "I'm willing to leave everything Ala/4—pr toddlin', as you weak% say—and get busy." Vance and Markham and I had dinner at the Stuyvesant Club that night. I had accompanied Vance home where he changed' to a rough tweed suit. The Signal He clic not exhibit the slightest apprehension, although as we were about to leave the apartment he handed nie a .45 automatic, We had finished our dinner and were having our coffee in the lounge, shortly before ten o'clock, .when Sergeant Heath joined us and reported the arrangements he had made. "Well, everything's been fixed, Chief," he announced proudly. "I got four powerful searchlights in the apartment house on Fifth Avenue, just opposite the tree. They'll all go on when I give the signal," "What signal, Sergeant?" asked Markham anxiously. "That was easy, Chief," Heath explained with. satisfaction. "I had a red electric flood -light put on a traffic -light post on the north- bound road near the tree, and. when I switch that on, with a traveling switch I'll have in niy pocket, that will be the signal." "What else, Sergeant?" "Well, sir, I got three guys in taxi -cabs stationed along Fifth Avenue, all dressed up like chauf- feurs, and they'll swing into the park at the same time the search- lights go on. I got a couple of, taxicabs at every entrance on the east side of the park that'll plug up the place good and tight; and I also got a bunch of innocent- looking family cars running along the .east and west roads every two or three minutes. On top of that, you can't stop people stroll= ing in the park—there's always a bunch of lovers moving around in the evening—but this time it ain't gonna be only lovers on the path by that tree—there's gonna be some tough babies too., .. I don't Fashionable Knit Boleros for Daytime and Evening 429 MAYFAIR No. 349 Tiny, short, plain kit boleros are the newest of new style ideas for evening. The one pictured here is knit (purl 1 row, knit 1 row) of pastel novelty yarn and finished with bright wooden beads. For daytime nothing is more popular. Knit in three .colors as illustrated, it is an accessory you will not want to be without. Every collection in the recent Paris openings featured boleros so start knitting yours today and be in step with fashion. The pattern includes complete easy -to -follow instructions for knit- ting in size 16, with stitch tensions for sizes 14, 18 and 20, also sam- ple of the yarn used for the original garment. Send 15 cents in stamps, postal note, or coins to .Mayfair Patterns, Room 421, Wilson Buildings, Toronto. to you," Kenting said with relief as he departed. Heath, who had gone out earlier in the afternoon, came in shortly, and the matter was discussed pro and con. The plan eventually agreed on was that Heath should have his searchlights focused on the tree and ready to be flashed on at a given signal; and that three or four men of the Homi- cide Bureau should be on the ground and available at a mo- ment's notice. Vance and I, fully armed, were to perch in the upper branches of the tree. Vance remained silent during the discussion, but at length he said in his lazy drawl: "I think your plans are admir- able, Sergeant, but 1 really sec no necessity of actually plantin' the money. Any package of the same size would answer the purpose just as well, don't y' know, And notify Fleel: I think be would be the best man to place the package in the tree for us," Heath nodded. "That's the idea, sir. Exactly what I was thinking.... And now I think I'd better be running c :.vim WAITING FAR ¥ in town Is your copy of this week's 'Toronto S t .a r Weekly .. don't forget it. see how the guys can get away from us, unless they're mighty slick." He chuckled and turned to Vance. "I don't think there'll be much for you to do, sir, except looldn' on from a ringside seat." "I'm sure •we won't be annoy- ed," answered Vance good-natur- edly. "You're so thorough, Ser- geant—and so trustin'," "Well," good luck, and cheer- io." Vance dismissed our taxicab at the corner of 83rd Street and Fifth Avenue, and we continued northward on foot to the pedes- trians' entrance to the. park. As we walked along without undue haste, a chauffeur from a near -by taxi jumped to the sidewalk with alacrity and, overtaking us, step- ped leisurely in front of us across our path. I immediately recogniz- ed Snitkin in the old tan cluster and chauffeur's cap. He appar- ently took no notice of us but must have recognized Vance, for he turned back. The Big Oak Tree Vance led the way across a wide stretch of lawn, to a large oak tree whose size set it apart from the others. It stood in compara- tive darkness, at least fifty feet tom the nearest dimly flickering elec;rie lig i", "Well, here we are, Van," he announced in a low voice. "Now for the'fun—if you regard emulat- ing the sparrow as fun.... 1'11 go up first. Find yourself a limb where you won't be exposed, but where you can see pretty well all around you through the leaves." We had climbed up and had been sitting in silence in our pre- carious seclusion for about ten minutes when a corpulent figure, which I recognized as Fleet, came into sight on the pathway to the left. He stood irresolutely oppos- ite the tree for several moments and looked about him. Then ap- proached the tree, He paused beneath where I sat twelve or fourteen feet above him, and ran his hand around the trunk of the tree until he found the large irregular hole on the east side; then he took a package from under his coat, The package was about ten inches lr,ng and four inches square, and he insert- ed it slowly and carefully into the Isola, Backing away, he ostenta- tiously relighted his cigar, tossed the burned match -end aside, and walked slowly toward the west, to an..ther pathway at least a hun- dred yards away It was less than tell minutes later that I saw a figure moving toward as from the north. No one had passed along that little- known, ill -lighted pathway since we had taken our places in the tree. At each succeeding light I picked out ari additional detail of the approaching figure: a long dark cape which seemed to trail on the ground; a curious toque - shaped, dark hat, with a turned - down visor extending far over the eyes; and a slim walking-stich. "How positively thriliin' P' I heard Vance whisper, though his voice did not sound in. the least excited. "This may be the culprit we're waitin' for. But what in the world will we do with him when we catch him? If only he wouldn't walk so deuced slowly." A Cloaked Figure The dark caped figure was mov- ing' at a most deliberate gait, paus- ing frequently to look right and left, as if sizing up the situation in all directions. It was impossible to tell whether the figure %vas stout or thin, because of the flow- ing cape. It was a sinister -look- ing form. Its gait was so dilatory and cautious that a chill ran over me as I watched—it was a mys- terious nemesis, imperceptibly but inevitably creeping up on us. Then, as if with a burst of vigor, the cloaked form stepped toward the natural cache on the east side of the trunk and, fumb- ling round a moment or two, with- drew the package that Fleel had placed there a quarter of an hour earlier. Everything Happens at Once I glanced apprehensively at the red flood -light on the lamp -post Heath had described to us, and ,.5aw it flash on and off like a grotesquely winking monster. Suddenly there were wide shafts of white light from the direction of Fifth Avenue splitting the gloom; and the whole tree and its immediate environs were flooded with brilliant illumination. For a moment I was blinded by the glare, but I could hear a bustle of activity all about us. Then came Vance's startled and awe- struck voice somewhere at my left. "Oh, "1y word!" he exclaimed over a er again; and there was the •i•• 'i 1 of his scrambling down the tree. • Everything seemed to happen simultaneously. Markham and Fleel and Kenyon Keating came rushing across the eastern lawn, preceded by Heath and Sullivan. The two detectives were the first to reach the spot, and they grasp- ed the black -clad figure just as it straightened up to move away from the tree. Each man had an arm tight in his clasp, and escape was impossible. (CONTINUED NEXT ISSUE) Variations of 1880 Dresses Are Shown PARIS. — Francevramant is showing charming modernized var- iations of 1880 or 1890 daytime dresses. There is a bare sugges- tion of drapery and fringed trim- ming is discreetly used. Full tie - on. apron panels are featured by this designer. They match slim wool or crepe frocks in which the bosom is emphasized by fullness or drapery. Attached panels lined with color echo corsage trimmings on dark evening gowns. Diamond jewelry often constitutes the only decoration on simple black day dresses. Three chatelaine clips may be worn, one at the neck, the other two on the breast pockets; half a necklet is used to fasten .a high 1000 collar. Interesting dark transparent effects appear for evening in very full black or dark brown lace, tulle or mousse- line gowns worn. over white or pale slips. • Do This If You're NERVOUS Don's take chances on harmful opiates and produots which you know not ping about. Use common sense. (let more fresh air, more sleep and take a reliable, time -proven medicine like famous Lydia 13. Pinkham's Vegetable Corn- pound --made especially forwoman from -whole- some herbs and roots—lot it help Nature tont irp your system end thus calm yengly nerves, lessen distress from female -functional dieoi'- dere and make life worth living For over 00 years ono Woman has told another how to go "smiling thru" with 1'lnkham'e Compound—let It help YOU, Red,Label33c $lb. Orange Label E5c li lb. Yellow Label 40c % Ib. FREE! For Premium List of Wm. Rogers & Son Silverplate write to Thos, J. Lipton Ltd., 43 Front E., Toronto. Silhouette, Color Compete in Hats And Decoration Makes It Three -Cornered; Race Is Close NEW YORK.—What a competi- tive race is going on in millinery between silhouette, decoration, and color! The three factors are run- ning a shoulder -to -shoulder race for dominance. Or shall we call the race a flight in the clouds? For trimmings have certainly taken to wings. Never has there been such air -minded millinery. Feathered pinions rise from every type of hat. Wings soar and spread, quills pierce the upper atmosphere. High feathers and towering oriiaments of pastel plumage exalt one's vision. The little tips of ostrich that curl up cosily, almost sleepily, in lowly positions, are restful and one is glad to know that millinery is not only in flight but also feathering oc- casional nests for repose at lower levels. Many pliantgsies are created irons ribbon, particularly velvet ribbon, twisted and coiled into ir- regular perpendicular figures. Felt hats for sports are sometimes em- broidered; others are worked with upholstery tape or trimmed with felt birds or felt flowers., Haven't Spoken For 22 Years Husband and Wife Nevertheless Prepare to Celebrate Silver Wedding Anniversary A husband and wife who have not spoken a word, to each other for 22 years are preparing to cele- brate their silver anniversary .in the village of Rokinovatz, Croatia. Vinko Stepachki, a retired forest ranger, married his wife, Yelena in 1913. After two and a half years, during which they were constant- ly quarrelling, Vinko took an oath never to converse with his wife again unless she apologized, which she refused to do. Communicate By Notes When necessity forced them to communicate with each other they wrote notes, and a large pile of these has been preserved by the wife. Friends of the couple have made many attempts to bring about a reconciliation but have failed. They are now to make a special effort to try and get the two to break their silence on the silver wedding day. Urges His Wife To Marry Again The will of a Brooklyn husband urges his wife to marry again. "She has been such an ideal mate for me that she could con- tinue in that capacity to another pian who may be more worthy of her than I have been," he wrote. The husband, James M. Golding, 42 years old, former assistant dis- trict attorney, and former com- mander of the Kings County Am- erican Legion, died July 31. The will was dated 1929. Rub butter paper well over a wooden spoon before putting it in cake or batter mixture; this pre- vents clinging and waste. When salt becomes caked add a pinch of ground arrowroot and the salt will remain dry and fine. YO U BABY at Teeth i ncg Tile? . Csystemross, fretfplisw, feverishorkinbInstrightunl.ess the litte Sceadmanis Powders the standby of mothers the world over for more than 100 years— gently cleanse the system of impurities which are often the cause of feverish- ness, upset ,stomach and other troubles at teething bine. At your druggist's. For rim sample end booklet "Hints to Mothers" write John Fleodman & Co., Dept. 19, 442 St. tiabriel St„ Montreal. 08N gcleSTEEDMAN'S %eth ,gta` c-;1, POWDERS Look for the rdorrhle EE symbol on each 114444 Birth of Triplets Is Mother's Third CAPETOWN, South Africa. — The wife of a railroad employee, named Groenewald, gave birth last week to her third set of trip- lets at Frankfort, Orange Free State, according to dispatches re- ceived here. The couple were married in 1926 and have had • 14 children, including twins. Eight are alive. Best Woman Shot Mrs.` Lela Hall, comely house- wife from Strassburg; Md., and clay target champion of North America for the last three years is shown holding her "shootin' iron" at the 39th annual grand American trapshoot, Vandalia, Ohio. She is the only woman ever to win the title three years in a row. She is said to be the best woman shot of all time. Smelling Salts Found Useful The busy modern woman .has rediscovered the advantages of smelling salts and especially smell- ing salts which are more refresh- ing because, of their faint laven- der odor. For airplane travel, for long trips by .sea or rail, smelling salts are of infinite value in com- bating headaches, nausea and weariness. Take some on the next automobile journey to counteract the dulling effects of long driving_ Keep an extra bottle in the pock- et of the car for smelling salts will fortify you against drowsiness. at the wheel. Once used in this manner you'll find them a real es- sential. Savings deposits in Germany made narked gains last year. 1 sweeten my morning cereal with BEERIVESyrup. because it is better for me. Issue No" 37---138