Indianapolis Times, Volume 38, Number 116, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 August 1926 — Page 18

PAGE 18

“The VANITY CASE” i A Tale of Mystery and Love —By CAROLYN WELLS

BEGIN HERE TODAY , , In Harbor Gardens, Lons Island, In a* elaborate bungalow, lived PERRY HEATH and his wife. At the time the story opens the Heaths were entertaining as house guests: LAWRENCE INMAN, ft distant relative of Myra's and, aside from Perry, the only heir to her considerable lorMOORE, young, vlraoioue. tfoidon-naired. an old friend of Myras. Myra. Heath was beautiful hut <old anci sarcastic. She did not love Perry. She never used <ro*meti(2a and her hatred of colors amounted almost to a passion. She collected rare old bottle and her latest was a whisky bottle which aroused her artistic husband to scorn. Perrv was a. for presidency &l the Country L.ub. The othre leaning indidato was a man named BAM ANDERSON. ..... Myra, becoming provoked at the growing intimacy between Bunny and Ptrry, announces that she has made her wil favoring Inman and cutting iter husband oft. She quarrels later with Perry and alludes mysteriously to his - secret. That night Heath. stealing downstairs, discovers Inman in his wiles anas and orders him out of the house d.v morning. „ „ ... The next morning Myra Heath s body is found in the studio. A eandje is burning at her head and feet, she is made up with cosmetics and dressed HERRICIff t.he butler, after catling the doctor, steals some money from a drawer near the body and then finds, at Myra's feet, a card marked. “The Work of Perry Heath.’ . . The doctor when he comes finds that the death blow was struck with Myra's cherished whisky bottle. It is dis,v>vered then that Perry Heath is gone, his bed unslent in. NOW GO ON WITH TIIK STORY CHAPTER VII Dr. Conklin was fairly well acquainted with the Heaths, for, on pccaslon. he had prescribed for their minor ailments, and had, too, once or twice met them socially. He was a Gardens man himself, for, of course, no Gordener would have a Park physician. But the police had to come from the Park, and it was astonishing how quickly they managed to appear. Three or four men arrived, hut the coroner and a detective sergeant took the case in hand. With a perfunctory nod at the brief summary Dr. Conklin gave him, the coroneaitset about his own examination of the body. He had never known Myra Heath in life, and therefore, was not surprised at the pronounced mane-up of her face. But he showed Ills amazement the candlesticks with their traces of burnt-out candles, and especially at the penned card. . “The Work of Perry Heath." he read, with an incredulous expression on his shrewd, small countenance. “Her husband, eh? Where* is he?” Informed that Heath was inexplicably missing, he nodded sagaciously. "Made his getaway, did he? Well, it’ll be a hard job to find him,- for if fie had the nerve to sign his handiwork, he must be well out of the neighborhood by this time. What say about how long she’s been dead, Conklin? Some seven or eight hours, eh?" “Hard to tell, Dr. Osborn, Perhaps your guess is about right. I'd put it eight, anyway." • “Well, seven or eight. It’s 9 now —say she was killed ’long about 2 o’clock. “I don’t see how we cab set It any more positively. The skull is fractured. you see—" "Yes, beastly work! And with an old whisky bottle! Must have bean a tram thug—” * “Well, the bottle is no elew to the intruder, For that’s one of Mrs, Heath’s own bottles.” “Her bottle! This old boose holder?’* “Yes, she collected them, See the row of them in that cabinet?” “My stars!” Osborn looked in amazement at the neat row of old liquor bottles on the shelf, “Whatever did she want of them?” "They have a certain value to collectors. Anyway, I’m confident this was one of hers. I’ve seen her collection before, and I’ve heard her ex ult over certain specimens. Wasn’t this bottle the property of Mrs. Heath?” he added, turning suddenly to Inman “Y—yes,” Harry stammered, not so much ill at ease as startled by the abrupt' question, “Have you any idea who used It to brain her?” put in the coroner. It was a pet device of Osborn’s to fire an unexpected question at a witness, and watch its effect. “I? No, indeed,’ How could I have?" Larry had regained his composure, and was ready for any ordeal. Mott, the detective sergeant, took up the matter then, and in a quiet, almost gentle tone, began to ask definite questions, “Who discovered Mrs, Heath’s body here?” he said, “Katie, the parlor maid," Herrick answered. “Where is she? Tell her to come here." , Herrick noddsrt to the girl, who came slowly Into the room and stood before Mott.

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“Tell the story of what happened,” said Mott, gravely but not top sternly. “Well, sir, I come downstairs and went to my work —” “At what time?" Katie flushed a little, and said, “I was a bit late, sir. I’m to be down at and it was -0 or fifteen after.” "Not more than that?” “No, sir. And I tidied up the lounge, and dusted about a bit, then I came in here to do the same, and as soon as I got through 4he door I saw—that —’’ she pointed to Myra's body. “What did you do?” “I let out a yell that they must have heard over at the park! I couldn’t help it—l was that scared, sir.” “Yes, you must have been startled. What next?” , “Then I just ran to the pantry to find Herrick, and I told him." "You didn’t stop to look at Mrs. Heath more closely, and you didn’t —didn't touch her?” "Goodness, no! Topch her? I should say not! I just rushed out of this room as quick as I could.” “Is this the gown Mrs. fleath was wearing last evening?” “Yes, sir, the very same, only of course, she didn’t have that scarf on. nor those beads. That's Miss Bunny’s scarf.” “Make no remarks, except in answer to questions. When did you • last see Mrs. Heath alive?” “Last night, about half-past eight, sir. It was my evening out, and after I fixed the bridge table in here, I went out.” "Where did you go?” “I went to the movies. Over in Garden Park.” “What time did you come home?” Katie turned red. “I don’t just know —I didn’t notice.” "Ah, you were later than you should have been?” “A —a little.” “Katies a good girl,” Herrick > spoke up for her. “She might have been a minute or two late, but nothing to do any harm.” “Never mind that now,” Mott said. “When you came in, Katie, did you notice anything unusual about?” “Well—no, sir.” • Clearly she had been about to make a different answer and suddenly changed her mind. Again Mott said, ” “Never mind that, now,” and proceeded with his queries. "Do you recognize this bottle, Katie?” He pointed to the pieces without touching them. “Oh, yes. sir.” “Whose is it?” “Why, it was Mrs. Heath's. The newest one she had. She set a deal by it, sir.” “Proud of it, was she?” “Yes, sir. Said it was the finest of the whole bunch. Terrible lookin’ things, I call ’em!” “Who do you euftpose used this bottle to kill your mistress?” "Who but some horrid burglar? Cornin’, of course, to steal some of her precious old glass. She often said It was very valuable, sir,” “Yes, It Is. And you assume ft rebber was after It and was discovered by Mrs. Heath, and he killed her?” “How else?” “Did you see any trace of the robber when you came In last nlgfht late! or this morning, either?” “No, sir, I didn’t notice anything.” “You wouldn’t! Herrick, did you?” “Did I what, sir?” “Did you see any traces of an Intruder when you opened up the house this morning?” “That I did not, for why there weren't any such.” “You seem positive.” “Well, what I mean is, that there was no door or window opened or unlocked. I fastened them all myself, last night, and T found them just so this morning.” “Proving to your mind, that no Intruder could have gotten In or out?” ’’Proving that to anybody's mind, sir. I always lock up everything after the last one of the family goes unstairs. Sometimes that’s pretty late,/ but last night It was fairly early.” “What time?” “Not much more than 11:30, sir Mr. Heath, he was the last one to go upstairs. Then I went my epunds and every window and every door was fastened by me, I do assure you.” “Some other time, Herrick, I want more detailed account of those fastenings. But now, you declare that the house was so thoroughly locked up that no one could get In or out?” “I do, sir.” “Then, how did Mr. Heath get out?”

OUT OUR WAY—By WILLIAMS

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“That's what's puzzling me. I ask you, sir, how did he get out? For get out he did. since he ain't now In the house. But how did ho do It— And why?” / “Those are questions for wiser heads than yours. Herrick. You saw him go upstairs?” “Yes, sir. After Mrs. Heath had gone up and likewise, Miss Moore and Mr. Inman. Master was the last one up, and now where Is he?” The blank despairing look on the man's face would have been amusing had the matter been of less grave Import. “Could Mr. Heath have had a telegram or any sort of message that called him away late last night, or In the early morning hours?” “He could have had messages, of course, but he couldn’t get out of any door, and leave it locked behind him, on the inside. Nor out any window, for they all have patent catches and they were all locked.” “None left open for air?” “There’s patent ventilators to take care of that. Ever since the burglary scares two years or so ago, Mr;s. Heath has been most particular about the locks everywhere." “We’ll go into all that later. Where, then, do you think Mr. Heath is at the present moment?” “Laws, sir, if 1 only knew! But I can’t think of any place he could be, or any way he could get there!" Detective Mott transferred his attention to Inman, who had seated himself, turning hip chair so that the body of Myra was Wot In his line of vision. Mott looked at Larry a moment

THE INDIANAPOLIS TfcVIES

before he spoke to him, and his keen eye noted that Inman's hands clenched themselves involuntarily, and his whole body tensed a trifle, as if preparing himself for an ordeal. • • • ' CHAPTER VIII And ordeal it was, for Mott had g way of making his most casual remarks seem accusatory, and his lightest question often hinted at vital Import. “Being the nearest relative of Mrs. Heath present, I assume, Mr. Inman. that you are deeply anxious to learn who committed this shocking crime.” “Yes,” said Larry, and no more. “Then, will you tpll me, In your own words, of the evqnts of last evening, up to the time you last saw Mrs. Heath alive?" “We spent the evening quietly at home," Larry replied, with cold politeness. “Miss Moore and myself are staying here, and there were no other guests at dinner. After dinner we four had a game of bridge here In this room, and when that .vas over, we chatted a bit, and then Miss Moore left us and went to her room. A few moments later I went up to bed. leaving Mr. and Mrs. Heath here. That is all I can tell you, Mr. Mott.” “At what' time did you go upstairs. Mr. Inman?" “Something (after 11, I think. I don't know more accurately than that.” “Did you hear Mr. and Mrs. Heath (Come upstairs, later?” \ j “That 1 can’t say. It 1 did I

SALESMAN $ AM—By SWAN

BOOTS AND HER BUDDIES—By MARTIN

FRECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS—By BLOSSER

didn't notice it.” “Were Mr. and Mrs. Heath in their usual good health and spirits last evening?" ”1 noticed nothing at all unusual.” “Was Mrs. Heath high-tempered? Or is Mr. Heath of an impulsive or fiery nature?" “I have always known them to be cultured, high-bred people. Far removed from quarrels that might lead to physical violence.” "Then we must look elsewhere for the murderer. Now another mystery is the disappearance of Mr. Heath. Can you shed any light on that, either by fact or theory?” “I’m afraid I can’t, Mr. Mott. Perry Heath has been a friend of mine for years and while I can’t think he killed his wife, I am still more at a loss to imagine a cause for his disappearance just now.” "What significance do you attach to this card, ‘The Work of Perry Heath’?” “Personally, I think that card was dropped by accident. It Is a card that we have joked about often. It has been kicking around this studio for months.” “I see. Then you don't think it indicates that Mr. Heath killed hu> wife, and placed the card there in a spirit of bravado?” “No, indeed. I think it far more likely that someone else killed Mrs. Heath and placed the card where it was found, in order to seem to incriminate Mr. Heath. That Is. unless my other impression Is the

truth, that the card fell there accidentally.” “These things will be gone into more thoroughly at the inquest,” Mott said. “That will take place this afternoon, at 2 o'clock. Please be in attendance, Mr. Inman. ’ He turned to Bunny with an, apologetic glance, as if he hated to annoy her, but his duty was imperative. “Miss Moore,” he said, gently, friend, Mrs. Heath, was not in the hab.t of using what is known as the make-up box, was she?” "No,” said Bunny, frightened at this opening. She had expected' questions as to her friendship with Myra and her position in the house. “Knowing her well, do you think she herself applied the powder and rouge which is now so conspicuously on her face?” "Oh, no,” Bunny said, excitedly; “she never would do that! Never! Why, we often cc- - ; her to try It, but she never would.” “Did she possess a vanity box of her own?” “Why—yes—she had two or three that were given her as presents by people who didn’t know her distaste for such things.” ‘‘/Where are these gifts?” “‘'l don’t know, I’m sure. Up in her boudoir. I suppose.” “Not likely she used one of them then for the cosmetics now on her /ace?” “No—no— I shouldn’t think so.’ Buny had turned pale and was shaking with nervousness. But she forced herself to speak cAmly and

OUR BOARDING HOUSE—By AHERN

managed to control her quivering lips. “Is the red scarf that is so artistically draped around Mrs. Heath’s figure her own property?" “No,” the girl replied; “it is mine.” “YoUrs? How did it get where it now is?” “I don’t know, I'm sure.’ Bunny had conquered her nerves somewhat, and was beginning to try her natural wiles on her Inquisitor. “I

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AUG. 20, 1926

was wearing it last evening when I stepped out on the porch, and when I went upstairs to bed, I left it down here. Why Mrs. Heath put it around her, I don’t know, I’m sure. It was not like her at all. All her scarfs are white or silver gray.” “You were the first to leave the group last night to go up to bed?" “Yes. We were all about to go. but I chanced to go up first. Why?” (To He Continued.)