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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1938-03-10, Page 61 Office Phone 54.Nights 107that J. W. BUSHFIELDDR. R. L. STEWART I PHYSICIAN A Telephone 20. c a. * OntarioWingham and Telephone No. 66. * also and I Dr. Robt. C. REDMOND M.R.C.S. (England) L.R.C.P. (London) PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Dr. W. A. McKibbon, B.A. PHYSICIAN AND SURGEOtf Located at th? Office of the Late Dr, H, W. Colbome. DR; W. M. CONNELL PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Phone 19. J. H. CRAWFORD Barrister, Solicitor, Notary, Etc. Successor to R. Vanstone. R. S. HETHERINGTON BARRISTER and SOLICITOR Office — Morton Block. at reasonable rates. Office, Guelph, Ont. COSENS, Agent. Wingham, Barrister, Solicitor, Notary, Etc. I Money to Loan. Office — Meyer Block, Wingham WINGHAM ADVANCE-TIMES Thursday, March 10th, 1938 THIS KIDNAP MURDER S.S. Van Dine o AUTPCASTER SYNQl»SIS During the night Kaspar Renting was kidnapped. I’hilo Vance, with District Attorney Markham go to the Renting home there to meet Sergeant Heath of the Homicide Bureau, Ken­ yon Renting and Mrs, Renting, the brother and wife of the kidnapped man. Present also is Eldridge Fleel, the Renting family attorney. The first evidence casts some doubt as to the genuineness of the crime. Vance examines Weems, the Renting butler, * * * Kenyon Renting 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, in­ asmuch as I regard it as a personal matter, and I cannot see that it has any bearing on the present situation." "That is a point for us to decide, 1 believe,” Vance said in a perculiar- ly hard voice. "We should like you to answer the question.” "I’m afraid, sir,” put in iMarkham, in his most aggressive official xnan- n^r, "we must insist that you answer question,’’ w,Very well," he said resignedly. “If you insist. On Moliday my brother ,asked me for a large sum of money —-in fact, he was persistent about it, and became somewhat hysterical when I refused him." "Did he state what he required this money for?” asked Vance. "Oh, yes,” the man said angrily. "The usual thing—gambling and un­ warranted debts connected with some woman.” Would you be more specific as to the gambling debts?" pursued Vance. "Well, you know the sort of thing.” Renting again shifted in his chair. “Roulette, black-jack, the bird-cage, cards — but principally horses. He owed several bookmakers some pre­ posterous amount." "Do you happen to know the names of any of these bookmakers?” “No, I don’t.” "What was so urgent about this as to produce hysterics?” "The fact is,” the other "Kaspar told me the men scrupulous and dangerous, he feared for himself if lie did not pay them off immediately. He said he had already been threatened." “And you denied your brother the money?” . “I had to,” asserted Renting. “The amount would almost have beggared the estate, what with so much tied up in what we’ve come to call ‘frozen | "Nasty mess. Rathen S ' a groggy notion,” Vance "that you won't be called upon to pay the ransom money at all . . , And, by the by, Mr, Renting, you didn’t men­ tion the amount that your brother assets’?* "Did your brother approach Mr. Fleel about the matter?” Vance ask­ ed. "Yes, he did?’ the other returned. “Whenever 1 retuse him anything he goes immediately to Fleet As a mat-1 asked for when you last saw him?' ter of fact, Flee! has always been “I was hoping you wouldn’t ask me more sympathetic with Kaspar than J that question,” he said regretfully, "I I have. But Kaspar’s demand this ’ avoided it purposely, for I am afraid tune was utterly outrageous, and j* might create an erroneous impres- Fleel turned him down as definitely as I did?’ | "Has Mrs. Renting any money of her own?” Vance asked unexpectedly. "Nothing absolutely nothing!" the man assured him. "She is entire­ ly dependent upon w hat Kaspar gives her—which, of course, means some part of what I allow him from the es­ tate." “In view of this morning's occur­ rence," suggested Vance, "it may be that your brother was not unduly er- aggerating about the necessity for this money.” “That is a horrible thought, sir,” he half under his breath. sion.” "How much was it?" snapped Markham. "Well, the truth is," Renting stam­ mered with evident reluctance, “Kas­ par wanted fifty thousand dollars,' Sounds incredible, doesn’t it?” "I imagined that was the figure,” Vance murmured. "Thanks awfully, Mr. Renting. We sha’n’t bother you any more just now, except that I’d like to know whether Mrs. Renting’s mother, Mrs. Falloway, still lives here in the Purple House?” "Oh, yes," Renting said wth dis- with her sorb Mrs. Renting’s brother. But the woman is crippled now “He woke me up banging on the door” said Mrs. Falloway with bitterness. went on, were inl­ and that “When you receive further instruc­ tion Regarding the ransom money, what do you intend to do about it— that is to say, just what is your feel­ ing in the matter?” “As a brother,” he said slowly, “what can I do? I suppose I must manage somehow to get the money and pay it. I can’t let Kaspar be murdered . . . It’s a frightful situa­ tion.” “Yes—quite,” agreed Vance. “And then there’s Madelaine. I could never forgive myself ... I say again, it’s a frightful situation.” gruntled emphasis. “She still occup­ ies the front suite on the third floor 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 as a penny. He’s perfectly content to live here with his mother at the expense of the Renting estate.” The man’s manner now had something of resentment and venom in it. Vance rose. “Would you be so good ICE-ENCRUSTED FISHING TRAWLER BATTLES GALES When the fishing trawler Fordham. the appearance of a ghost ship. Jack reached port at Boston, Mass., a few Frost’s decorations are shown on the days ago, it was weighted down by ship here as fishermen began,, to tm- sthick coatings of ice which gave it I toad their catch. The trawler battled * 'I heavy seas and a 65-mile-an-liour gale in temperatures slightly above goto while making her way to port. as to take us upstairs?” he asked. "I’ll b§ glad to," Renting said, and started for the door;, We followed him. Mrs. Falloway was a woman be­ tween sixty and sixty-five years old. She had an intelligent and canny ex­ pression, and her features were large and striking, She impressed me as a woman with an iron will, but with an innate sense of loyalty sympathy. When we entered her room morning Mrs-, Falloway was sitting placidly in a wicker armchair in front of the large bay window, At an old and somewhat dilapidat­ ed 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 album. "These gentlemen wish to speak to you, Mrs. Falloway,” Kenyon Rent­ ing said in an unfriendly tone. When he1 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 down in that armchair there, and try to imagine that this meager room is a Louis-Seize salon.” Vance bowed formally. “Any room you grace, Mrs. Fallo- way,” he said, “becomes the most charming of salons.” He did not ac­ cept her invitation to sit down, how­ ever. “What do you make of this situa­ tion?" 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,” he answered. “We were hopin’ that you might be able to help us,” and the woman acknowledged the introduc­ tions with dignified graciousness. “This is my son, Fraim,” she said, waving with a bony hand toward the anaemic young man at the desk. “Philatelist?” asked Vance, study­ ing the youth. "I collect American stamps,” There was no enthusiasm in the lethargic voice, and Vance did not pursue the subject, “Did you hear anything in the. house early this morning?” Vance went on. Fraim Falloway shook ‘ his head without any show of interest. “I didn’t hear anything,” he “I was asleep.” Vance turned to the mother. “Did you hear anything, Mrs. Fal­ loway?” “I heard Kaspar edine in—he woke me Up banging Bie front door shut.” She spoke with bitterness. “But tjiat was nothing new. I went to sleep again, however, and didn’t know any­ thing had happened until Madelaine and Mr. Kenyon Renting informed me of it this morning, after my breakfast.” “Could you suggest any reason,” asked Vance, “why any one should wish to kidnap Kaspar Renting?” “No. But I can give you many rea­ sons why any one should not wish to kidnap him,” she returned with a hard intolerant look. “He is not an admir­ able character,” she went on, “nor a pleasant person to have around. And I regret the day my daughter married him. However, I wouldn’t wish to see any harm come to the scamp.” “And why not, mater?" asked Fraim Falloway with a whine. “You know perfectly well he has made us all mis­ erable, including Sis. Personally, I think it’s good riddance.” “Don’t be vindictive, son,” the wo­ man reproved him with a sudden soft­ ening in her tone, as the youth turn­ ed back to his stamps. Vance sighed as if this interchange between mother and son bored him. “Then you are not able, Mrs. Fal­ loway, to suggest any reason for Mr. Routing’s sudden disappearance, or tell us anything that might be at all helpful?” “No. I know nothing, and have no­ thing to tell you,” “In that case/* Vance returned pol­ itely, “ I think we had better be go­ ing downstairs?’ The woman picked tip her cane and struggled to her feet, despite Vance’s protestations. "I wish I could help you,” she said with sudden kindliness. “But I am so well isolated these days with my in­ firmity. Walking, you know, is quite a painful process for me. I'm afraid I’m growing old/’ In the hal! Vance waited door was shut. "An amusing old girl," he eel, "Her mind is as young shrewd as it ever was young citizen, Fraim, the old lady, but he doesn’t know it Endocrine imbalance,"' Vance contin­ ued as we went downstairs, "Needs medical attention, I wonder when he had a basal metabolism taken last.” "He simply looks like a weakling to me,” said. Business and Professional Directory Wellington Mutual Fire Insurance Co, Established 1840. Risks taken on all classes of insur­ ance Head ABNER HARRY FRYFOGLE Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director Furniture and Funeral Service Ambulance Service, Phones: Day 109W. Night 109J. THOMAS FELLS AUCTIONEER REAL ESTATE SOLD Thorough Knowledge of Farm Stock, J Phone 231, Wingham. It WiU Pay Yop to Have An EXPERT AUCTIONEER to conduct your sale. See T. R. BENNETT At The Royal Service Station. Phone 174W. „ (4 J. ALVIN FOX Incensed Drugless Practitioner CHIROPRACTIC - DRUGLESS THERAPY - tADIONIC EQUIPMENT Hours by Appointment Phone 191. Wingham W. A. CRAWFORD, M.D. Physician and Surgeon Located at the office of "The late Dr. J. P. Kennedy. Phone 150. Wingham F. A. PARKER OSTEOPATH All Diseases Treated. Office adjoining residence next to Anglican Church on Centre St. Sunday by appointment. Osteopathy Electricity Phone 272. Hours, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. A. R. & F. E. DUVAL CHIROPRACTORS CHIROPRACTIC and ELECTRO THERAPY Nor.th Street — Wingharn Telephone 300. “Oh, yes. Doubtless. As you say, devoid of stamina. And full of re­ sentment against his fellowmen and especially against his brother-in-law.” When we had ‘ reached the lower hall Vance went immediately toward the drawing-room and stepped inside. Mrs.'Renting, who seemed perturb­ ed and ill at ease, sat rigidly upright on the small sofa where we had first seen her. Her brother-in-law sat be­ side her, looking at her with a solic-- 'itous, comforting air. Fleel was leaning back in an easy chair near the desk. “I know you told us, Mrs. Rent­ ing,” Vance began, “that you could not describe who called on your hus­ band several nights ago. I wish, how­ ever, you would make an -effort to give -us at least a general description of them.' -“The fact is,<Mr,. Vance, I paid lit­ tle attention to them, but I know that one of them was a large‘man and se.emed to me to" have a very thick neclc. And, as I recall, there was a lot of grey in his hair; and he may have had a clipped moustache.” “Your description, madame,” re­ marked Vanve, ' nodding his head, “corresponds to the appearance pf a ■certain gentleman I 'have in mind; and if it is the same person, your im­ pression regarding the clipped mous­ tache is quite correct—” • “Oh, who was he, tMr. Vance? Do you think you know who is respons­ ible for this terrible thing?” . “No,” he said, “I’m deucedly’sorry I cannot offer any hope in that par­ ticular quarter. If this man who call­ ed on your husband is the orfe I think it ’is, he is merely a good-natured bookmaker who is at times aroused to fiitile anger when his clients fail to pay their debts. I’m. quite sure, don’t y’know, that if he should pop in here again, at the present moment, you would find him inclined to exert his efforts in your behalf. I fear, that we must dismiss him as a possibility.”" Vance spoke he rose from his and turned to Fleel, who had listening intently to Vance’s- interchange with Mrs. Renting. (Continued Next Week) As ch aii- been brief Charged' with Reckless Driving Reckless driving charge was laid against' Albert Segal, Stratford mer­ chant, driver of the car which early Wednesday . morning struck^ down Harry S. Farrant, salt worker, of Goderich, as lie was walking along the Huron road. Hospital authorities reported Mr. Far rant’s condition as unchanged. He had a fair day, it was said. Back injuries, in addition to concussion and head and face lacer-a ations, have developed. A charge of failure .to produce an operator’s per­ mit also was laid against Benson Fea- gan in connection with the same ac­ cident. ■ till the remark- and as . t Unpleasant He’s as ill as I EVERYBODY IN ONE FAMILY MARRIES EVERYBODY IN ’NOTHER Cupid abandoned his bow and ar­ row for a ^machine-gun the day he dropped in on the Ueaulc and Ran­ court homes in Sabaitus, Me, One by one the Beaule boys married the Ran v court girls.. The tide was unstemmed until Father Beaule married Mother Rancourt As a climax the families staged a five-team honeymohn. News cameramen happening by, finally got them ,a11 together for this picture, from LEFT to RIGHT they are: Elizabeth and Arthur, Gabrielle and tudger, Marion and Godfrey, Bertha and David, and Mrs. Napoleon Bealtie and husband.