Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Herald, 1938-09-15, Page 21:W�.,��,+qrKC.Z.►0,►AX00 0 OrgOrg.:4°K.TI744%T.K.A WW.,,A,,�!►M.X.47oO,4••j,W",,i,,*A it rel Tke Krdn by :{ S. Sp Van Dine A 1riv„,,,, 1� ►�4 ?'ger Y!or41,1inb_ tai P.9: OwOi�..`,.gg:$."fi0,+0y':.a:�wO:i�.�YOr:OrD @i4`0 0`i aO,'�6• W tai' -4C0 SYNOPSIS Kaspar Kenting disappears. Philo Vance, District Attorney Markham and Sergeant Heath of the Homi- cide Bureau investigate the Kent- ing home and question Kenyon Kenting and Mrs, Kenting, Kas- par's brother and wife, in the pres- ence of Eldridge Flee!, Kenting fa- mily attorney. Vance doubts the kidnapping story, He further ques- tions Weems the butler, Mrs. Kent- Ing's mother, Mrs. Falloway, and son Fraim Falloway, and Porter Quaggy, raconteur friend of Kas- par's and last person to be with him. All reveal an undercurrent of hostility to Kaspar. At this time a ransom note arrives., demanding $50,000 and freedom from police in- terference. Vance and Markham consult the Kertings and Flees, the lawyer, and it is decided to allow the police a free hand in dealing with the supposed kidnappers, A dummy package is substitited for the money and then secreted in a tree in Central Park according to instructions. The police capture the cloaked figure in the act of taking it. CHAPTER IX "Pretty nice work,” Heath sang out with satisfaction, just as I had reached the ground and took a tighter hold on my automatic. Then 'Vance brushed by me from around the tree and stood directly in front of Heath. "My -dear fellow--ob, my dear fellow!" he said with quick stern- ness. "Don't be too precipitate." As he spoke, two taxicabs swung crazily along the pedestrian walk on the left with a continuous shrill blowing of horns. They came to a jerky stop with a tremendous clat- ter and squeakjpg of brakes. Then the 1`wo chau fe'"tiT's leaped out of the cabs rushing to the scene with sub -machine guns. "Step back, Sergeant," Vance commanded. "You're far too rough. I'll handle this situation." Some - g hes voice overrode Heats is zeal—thele was no ignoring the authority in his words. Both Heath and Sullivan released their hold on the silent figure between them. The apprehended culprit did not moV'e, a ept to reach up and push back the visor of the toque cap, re- vealing the face in the glare of the searcbliehte. rs. Fal!away There be,.ore us, leaning weakly and shakily on a straight snake - wood stick, the package of false bank notes still clutched tightly in the left hand, was the benign, yet cynical, Mrs. Andrews Falloway. Her face showed no trace of fear or of agitation. In fact, there was an air of calm satisfaction iu her somewhat triumphant gaze. In her deep, cultured voice she said, as if exchanging pleasantries with some one at an afternoon tea: "How are you, Mr. Vance?" "I am quite well, thank you, firs. Falloway," Vance returned suavely, with a courteous bow. Just then a slender form skulked swiftly across the lawn from the near -by path and, without a word, joined the group directly behind the ware. It was Fraim Falloway. His expl ssion was both puzzled and downcast. Vance threw him a quick glance, but took no more notice of him. His mother must have seen him out of the corner of her eye, but she showed no indica- tion that she was aware of her son's presence. "You're out late tonight, Mrs. Falloway," Vance was saying gra- ciously. "Did you enjoy your eve- ning stroll?" "1 at least found it very profit- able," the woman answered with a hardening voice, As she spoke she held out the package. `"Here's the handle—containing money, I be- lieve—which I found in the hole of the tree. I'm getting rather old for lovers' trysts. Don't you think so?" Vance took the package and then threw it to Heath who caught it with automatic dexterity. The Ser- geant, as well as the rest of the group, was looking on in stupefied astonishment at the strong° and unexpected little drama. The Flatterer "I an sure you will never be too old for lovers' trysts," murmured Vance. "You're an outrageous flatterer, Mr. Vance," smiled the woman. "Tell me, wlia t do you really think of me lifter this little—what shall wecall it?—escapade tonight?" think you're a very loyal moth- er," he said in a low voice, his eyes fixed on the woman. Quickly his mood changed again. "But, really, y' know, it's dampish, and far too ,.whip for y0t t.o° aylil ''" Then 5< be er t,ec� at lase ga.peee1-1117 ee "' "er"ret til, can either of your ' i g 'iiddo-chatiffeurs drive his taxi with a modicum of safety?" "Sure they can," stammered Ser- geant heater. "That's bully --what?" said Vanee and he moved to Mrs, Falloware side and offered her his arm'"May I have the pleasure of taking you home?" The woman took his arm without hesitation. "You're very chivalrous, Mr, Vance, and 1 would .appreciate the courtesy." Vance started across the lawn with the woman. "Come, Snitkin," he called pr'e- emptorily, and the detective walk- ed swiftly to his cab and opened the door. A moment later they were headed toward the main traffic art- ery which leads to Central Park West. It was but a short time before the rest of us started for the Kent- ing house. "I guess we'd better fallow Mr. Vance," Heath growled. "There is something mighty phony about this whole business." When we pulled up in front of the Keating house, which sudden- ly seemed black and sinieter in the semi -dark, we all quickly jumped to the sidewalk and hastened in a body to the front door. Another Cellar Weems, in a dark pongee dress - ask I was climbing A tree. Silly, Pastime •— what?" Quaggy swung about to Kenting. "You raised the money, Kenyon, and complied with the instructions in the follow-up note?" he asked.' "Yes, Ienting said in a low voice, "but it did no geed:" "A swell bunch of cheap dicks," Quaggy sneered, "Didn't anyone show up to collect?" The Culprit "Oh, yes, Mr, Quaggy." It was Vance who answered. "Some one called for the money at the appoint- ed hour, and actually took it. The culprit Is here with us in this here room." Quaggy straightened with a start; "Tile fact is," went on Vance," I escorted the guilty person home' myself. It was Mss. Falloway," Before the man had time to say anything Vance continued lacka- daisically. "By the way, Mr, Quaggy, aro you particularly interested in black opals? 1 noticed a jolly good pair of them on your desk yesterday." "And if I am, what then?" "Queer, don't y' know,' Vance went on, "that there are no repre- sentative black opals in 'Karl Kent-. ing's collection. Blank spaces in the case where they should be. I can't imagine, really, how an expert •col- lector of semiprecious stones could have overlooked so important an item as the rare black opal." "I get the implication. Anything else?" Quaggy was standing relax- ed but motionless in front of Mr. ee S cid€nj" Far The Younger Se L MAYFAIR NO. 275 To dress a little lady as she very sweetly deserves, her wardrobe must include a number of smartly smocked frocks. She wears them for play and she wears them for parties—and smocking is so easy to do. No. 276A is available in sizes 2, 4 and 6 years. The pattern includes a tissue pattern of the dress, transfer for the smocking, complete in- structions for smocking and finishing the garment. No. 276B is avail- able in sizes 8, 10 and 12 years. The pattern includes a tissue pattern of the dress, transfer for the smocking, complete instructions for smock- ing and finishing the garment. Please be sure to state size. Send 15 cents in stamps, postal note or coins to Mayfair Patterns, Room 421, 73 West Adelaide St., Toronto. ing robe, opened the door' for us and made a superfluous gesture to- ward the drawing -room. Through the wide-open sliding doors the could see Vance and hirs. Fallo- way seated. Vance, without rising, greeted us whimsically as we enter- ed. "Mrs. Falloway," he explained to us, "wished_ to remain here a short while to rest before going upstairs. Beastly ascent, y' know." At that moment there was a ring at the front door, and Ileath went out quickly to answer it. As he swung the ponderous door back, I could easily see, from where I stood. the figure of Porter Quaggy• out- side. "What do you want?" Heath de- manded bluntly, barring the way. "I don't want anything," Quaggy returned in a cold unfriendly voice — "if that answer will benefit you in any way — except to ask how Mrs. Kenting is and if yam know anything more about Kaspar?" "Let the Johnnie come in, Ser- geant," Vance called out in a low, commanding voice. "I'l1 tell him what he wants to know. And I also desire to ask him a question or two." Quaggy stepped inside briskly, and joined us in the drawing -room. "Well, what happened tonight?" he asked. "Nothing — really nothing," said Nance, answering casually, without looking up. 'Positively nothing, Quite a fizzle, don't y' know- `7 Very 11,a,m r7 h°relail (AWL to ICY iris rn `liromliiu visit, Mr. Quaggy. Would you mind telling tis where you were tonight?" "I was lit home fretting about Kaspar. Where were you?" Vance smiled and sighed. "Not that it should concern you In the slightest, sir," he said in Ms most dulcet voice, "bet — since you Vance. Slowly he moved one foot forward, as if shifting the burden of his weight fron'i an overtired leg. By au almost imperceptible move- ment his foot came to within a few inches of Vance's shoe. 'Really, y' know," Vance said •with a cold smile, lifting his eyes to the man, "I shouldn't try that if I were you—unless, of course, you wish to have me break your leg and dislocate your hip. I'm quite famil- iar with the trick. Picked it up in Japan.", Qt:aggy abruptly withdrew his foot, but said nothing. "I found a balas-ruby in Kaspar Kenting's dinner jacket yesterday morning," Vance went on calmly. "A balas-ruby is also Missing from the collection across the hall, In- teresting mathematical item—eh?" "What the hell's interesting at all about it?" retorted the other with a sneer, "I was only wonderin'," he said, " if there might be some connec- tion between that imitation ruby and the black opals in' your apart- ment :. .. where yon obtained such valuable gem specimens?" Quaffs,' diel not answer, and then Vance turned to 'the District At- torney, "I think' in view of the gentle- man's attitude, Markham, and the HOW YOU CAN ATTRACT M E N Don't let love and romance pass yeti by. Men like girls with lots of pep and energy. So start taking time -proven Lydia t. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound and note the difference. Pinkham's Compound, made capectally for women from wholesome horns and roots, helps Nature tone up your syaiein and thus calms irritable nerves and gives you more pep to really er ey inti. For over 00 years one woman has told an. other clow to go "smiling tetra" distress trona female funotionnl disorders with 1'inkham"i Compound. Lot it help YOUI fact that he is the last person to be known to have been with the missing. Kaspar, it would be ad`vis- aple to hold him as a material wit. nese The Opals "I came by those opals legiti- mately," Quaggy saki quickly, "1 bought them from '<tap'er last night, as he said he needed some immediate cash far the evening," "I've suspected for a long time," Mrs. Falloway said, "that Kaspar had Been resorting to that collec- tion of gems for gambling money But I'm very, tired, and I'm suffi- ciently rested now to return to my roam." 'But, Mrs, Falloway," blurted Kenting, I — I don't understand .your being in the park 'tonight. Why—why—?" "Mr. Vance understands," she answered curtly. "That, I think, is quite sufficient." Her gaze shift- ed from Kenting and she seemed to take us all in with a gracious glance. "Good night, gentlemen." Slie started unsteadily toward the door, and Vance sprang to her side. "Permit me, madam, to accom- pany you. It's a long climb to your room." The woman bowed a co'ai'teous acknowledgment and, for the sec- ond time that evening, took his arm. Markham, with a significant look at the Sergeant, left his chair and took the woman's free arm. Heath moved closer to Quaggy who remained standing. Mrs. Fallo- way, with her two escorts, event slowly from the drawing -room, and I followed thein. She found itinecessary to pause momentarily at each step, and when we reached her room she - sank into the large wicker arm- chair with the air of a person who is totally exhausted. "I should like to ask one or two questions, if you are not too tired," said Vance. The woman nodded and smiled faintly. To Save The Boy "Why did you snake the tremen- dous remendous effort," Vance began, "of walking in the park tonight?" "Why, to get all that money of course," the old woman answered in mock surprise. "Anyway, I did not attempt to walk all the way; 'I took a cab to within a few hundred feet of the tree." "Tell me, Mrs. Falloway, how you knew your son intended to go to the tree for that ransom pack- age." For a moment, Mrs. Falloway's face was a mask. Then she said in a deep, clear voice: "It is very difficult to fool a mo- ther, Mr. Vance. Fraim knew of the ransom note and the instruc _eetoas in it. He knew also that Ken- yon would raise the money some- how. The boy came upstairs and told me about it after you had left the house this afternoon. Then, when he came to my room a little before, ten o'clock tonight, after having spent the evening with his sister and Kenyon, and said he was going out, I knew what was in his mind. And I—I wished to save him from that infamy." (To be continued) Happiness Makes Up In Height. F®r What It Lacks In Length Oh stormy, stormy world, The days you were not swilled Around with mist and cloud. Or wrapped as in a shroud, And the sun's brilliant ball Was not in part or all Obscured from mortal view, Were days so very few I can but wonder whence t get the lasting sense Ot so much warmth arid light. if my mistrust is right It may be altogether Prim one day's perfect weather When. starting elev.; at dawn The day went clearly on To finish clear at eve. I verily believe My fair impression may Be all from that one day No shadow crossed but ours As through the blazing flowers We went from house to wood For change of solitude. —Robert Frost, in The Atlantic Monthly, One of the new veilings shows a plaided open mesh in two colors. $too For Any Old Lamp Or Lantern i Yam Coleman X1ealer pays TWO 'DOLLARS far any old lamp or lantern When you trade it in on n new Cele, man, Tlais means yon get a nett/ Coleman Lamp for $3.S5i (Shade extra.) Dig saving on Coleman Lan- terns, tool See. your 'Cote - man Dealer, Traria tod;..yt .PREMIUY; SODA RA.KE.1 i yolift like thein best hri&ie' i iciit "here's a Christie Biscuit for every taste" Women In Japan Have Few Chores Minimum Time Spent iri Cook- ing and Dishwashing A minimum of time and labor is required to get the Japanese family started every morning. Bed quilts are rolled up and put away in a closet. Chopsticks and bowls are rinsed out in either hot or cold water and left to dry, says the National Geographic Maga- zine. Even the daily cooking takes little time. Fish and rice are the staples. Fish is often eaten raw, and rice niay be cooked at any time and set, aside in a wooden tub to be served cold. Vegetables are few. Peas are cooked in the pod, and the big white carrots and cabbages are pickled. Other household duties are quickly done. Except among the well-to-do, the general custom of going to public baths and buying ready-made clothing frees the women from many hours of house- work. The cotton kimonas are washed out and hung to dry ora poles run through the sleeves. Stretching on the pole is the only ironing necessary. Country Women In Fields The country woman, after giv- ing the family a quick breakfast of rice, pickles and hot tea, ties the baby on her back and makes for the fields. With kimona tucked up, she engages in any kind of farm labor. Sometimes she works alone, more often side 'by side with husband or son. In the spring she hoes or weeds, transplants the young rice, or cuts the winter wheat. In autumn she moves with bent back down the field with a sickle, helping menfolk cut and thresh the rice—the major crop of Japan. Two farm jobs seem exclusively hers, the picking of tea leaves and the tending of silk- worms. Try Tatting Good for Nerves Says Man Who Beat Women In Contest Ili case of tattered nerves, try tatting. It's Walter II. Mueller's advice to men annoyed with that worn out feeling, and he has adequate proof today that his fingers were put to good use as he tatted. for his nerves' sake, Mueller, De• Moines, la., furrier, pitted in competition with women who tat just to be tatting, won the tatting sweepstakes at the state fair here for a bed spread which took him nearly four years to make, The winner received a blue ribbon and $2 in cash. And if he can find a taker at $200, Mueller is willing to forget any jibes that 010y come his way. The spread cost $21i, he estimator, plus 000 hours of spare time. New High Reached In Lengthy Words When scientists got together at Cambridge, England, for the meet- ing of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, a new high in long words was struck by Pr0i`';:ut' Charles Gibson of Lundell University when he spoke ogcn,ld. ehennmti y. Soule of the words he used were: Dibenzylshuiphidodiethylbromo- i iourethv1enechatninoterannpro- phyldt.,ty rnigoid, Tha.lousa;,e•tylacetone. Ethyl rrediatrniue. Hyd ^oxyquinoliite. Diamondi cthyletlier. Twins Wed Twins Twin 1S -year-old sisters married twin 2.6 -year-old brothers at St. John's Church, Hackney, England. They Were Winifred and Doro- thy Riley and Leonard and Leslie Bryan, of Ponsford street, Hack- ney., ' lack-ney.' They met two ,years ago when they all worked for the same firm. Daytime Dresses For Fall Stress Youthful Lines. Skirts Are Short, Necklines High —Plenty of Styles To Choose From NEW YORK. --New fall daytime • dresses dramatize natural feminine curves and are, for the most part,, essentially youthfeil. Daytime skirts are quite short. (14 to 16 inches from the floor, de- pending on the shape of your legs). The majority are flared., although straight, slim versions and those with spaced pleats are featured, too. Bodices are fitted tr accentu- ate the bosom, make the waistline tiny and hips slim. High necklines take the spotlight. Shoulders are very definitely square, and long, sleeves are favored by most coutur- iers. • However, :.I varied is the fall and winter dress picture that no shopper, whatever her personal e likes and di§likes, possibly could have any difficulty finding an ac- cepted style that is especially flat- tering to her. Black is as popular as ever, and your first tall street dress more than likely will be black. But for - the second one or for an afternoon mode, lock at the color situation carefully before choosing black. again. Wine, plum, rust, lavender, purple, mustard, teal blue, sage• green and elephant gray are not to - be dismissed lightly. It takes more time and thought to' introducecol- ori into your wardrobe, but the re- sults can be worth the effort: British motorists are protesting - they pay six times as much in gasoline taxes as American car owners. Dentists recommend Wrigley's, Ginn as an aid to strong, healthy teeth, cleanses them of food par- ticles, massages the gulps. Aids di- gestion, relieves stuffy feeling after meals. Helps keep you healthy! Take -some home for the children too — they_ will love it! case Oh Boy! ,;.cmlets G'1e sweeten my ureal withCa:= ;r,,.:: BEE HIVE Syrup. P . Issue No, 38—'38 TS