Indianapolis Times, Volume 38, Number 121, Indianapolis, Marion County, 26 August 1926 — Page 8

PAGE 8

“The VANITY CASE” A Talc of Mystery and Love By CAROLYN WELLS

BEGIN HERE TODAY MRS PRENTISS, who suffers from Insomnia, sees lights mysteriously appear and disappear in the HEATH household next dour one night, and the next morning Harbor Gardens. Long Isa *° with the murder of MYRA HEATH and the disappearance of her husband PERRY, an artist. _ House guests of the Heaths are LAWRENCE INMAN and RUNNY MOORE. Inman might have a motive because he is heir to 1 Myra's considerable fortune, she having made her will in his favor and cut her husband off Suspicion also points toward Bunny, a vivacious, gold-en-haired beauty, because of her refusal to answer questions at the inquest and the fact she had apparently known of the murder before tne maid, who went to her room to inform her. Myra Heath was a peculiar woman, beautiful but cold She did not love her husband: she never used cosmetics, never wore colors; she had a mania for collecting rare bits of glass, and It was a whisky bottle that was the instrument of her death—a bottle from her own collection Candlee were burning at her head and feet when a maid discovered her body, and near by was a card marked. '‘The Work of Perry Heath Strange*! of all. she was made up heavily with rouge and dressed in gay colors The strangest thing .about Heaths disappearance is the fact that all the doors and windows had been locked on the inside the night before and were found thta. way in the morning Ktnger prints of Inman and Bunny Moore arp found on the bottle, and the coroner declares his belief that the murderer will be found in the household A vanity case has strangely disappeared and doctors declare the rouge was applied to Myras face after death. At the Country Club the murder is discussed by SAM ANDERSON. AL CUNNINGHAM, who is trying to solve the mystery, and others, some believing Perry Heath the murderer, others dis agreeing Cunningham suspects Bunny Moore. NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY CHAPTER XV "Well, you're philosophical, to say the least," Anderson told him. "But go ahead, old chap. Quiz the pretty little girl—!'d like to see that charmer—and put the he-cousin through a course of sprouts. My choice is for him. He's the only one I can see who has motive, which, I've been told, is the first thing to look for." "I suppose Inman may be said to have had motive,” Cunningham said slowly, "but I know him, and though I'm not an Intimate friend, I can’t seem to see him brutally murdering his beautiful cousin to inherit her property.” "Why not?” said Anderson. "I mean, granting the brutal murder, somebody must have done it. And presumably somebody in the house, if the stories of the careful locking up are all true. I don't eliminate the possibility of Heath's guilt, but I can t see how he could get away afterward. He could, of course, have gone away before the crime, if the cousin did it.” “Well, I'll go there this evening, if they'll let me in; if not, I’ll insist on an interview tomorrow. I shall say I represent the Country Club, which feels it has a right to use every effort to locate one of its members ' who is mysteriously absent. '' "Yes, that’s a ’good way to put it,” commended Black. "You must get something, C'unny. As you say, that doddering coroner got nowhere." "It's outrageous the way such cases are handled by incompetent and ignorant officials!” Anderson declared. "By the time a clever or experienced detective can get busy on them, the important clews have been obliterated. And not only that, but the bungling operatives are so cock-sure and self-sufficient that they persuade the public of their own efficiency when they have none at all." "That's right, Sam,” Black agreed. “Well, get busy, Cunny. Hunt down Heath, if you can. Get all the information you can from the people at the bungalow and let's cover the Country Club with glory by solving the mystery of the murder of Myra Heath!” "Heath will come back of his own accord,’’ Anderson said, insistently. “And you'll find clews or evidences pointing to Larry Inman as the perpetrator of the crime. Os course, this is pure surmise on my part, but all the evidence seems to lie in that direction." "Maybe,’’ Cunningham said, thoughtfully. “I'm not sure you’re not right. But innocent or guilty, it ought not to be hard to find Heath. Men can't drop out of sight so easily. I've heard the department has, already put detectives on his track, but I’ve heard of no response as yet. Though, of course, it's too soon to expect it. I don't know Heath awfully well, after all. Do any of you fellows know anything —er —unsatisfaetbry about him?” "Shady, you mean?” asked Black. "Yes—pr queer—peculiar. Eccentric. Anything, in fact, out of the ordinary. The sort of thing a chap wouldn't tell of an acquaintance, except in such circumstances as these we’re now facing. If any one knows anything detrimental to Perry Heath, I hold It is his duty to tell It.”

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"I agree with that,” Anderson spoke decidedly. "Personally, I know nothing. I'm not very well asqnainted with him, but when I learned he was to be a rival candidate for the club presidency, I naturally looked up his record.” “Where'd you find it?” asked Cunningham, eagerly. "Oh, I don't mean in official files. I Just askett a few club members. I found out nothing definitely against him, and not much definitely for him. He seemed to he rather colorless. I thought." "Yes. that's Perry,” said Wally Forbes. "Good enough all-round sort, but nothing startling about him. If he committed this murder, it's the first exciting incident of his life. I'm sure. He loved a good time, he Is out-doorsy, and he’s a genial chap. I think it was his general placidity and good nature that made the Gardens people choose him for their candidate. Most of them are so tempermental, they are unfitted for such a post as president of a club.” “He’s welcome to the election. If he'll come back for it,” Ram Ander sond said, speaking -with obvious sincerity. "T don’t care a rap for it. dunno whatever made me consent to run." "There are others.” vouchsafed Black. "Garrison's favorite.” "Hope he'll get It, then,” Anderson said, but his tone was not quite so genuine now. Cunningham departed, with a cheery word as to his own success, and from the clubhouse, he wandered back, over the bridge to The Gardens. As he went, he mused on the difference of atmosphere In the two sides of Gaybrook Harbor. And It occurred to him, that, though on the Park side, the householders were rather formal and a bit stiff, on the Gardens side, there was far more camaraderie and what might be called neighborly sociability. This led him to wonder If anything might be learned from the neighbors of the Heaths. As he neared the bungalow, he noted as he passed, the house Just before It, and he saw no signs of occupancy. Clearly, the house was at present untenanted. So nothing could be gained from that side. But on the other side, the side toward the sea. he saw a pleasant bungalow, and on its small, but cheery veranda, a middle aged woman and a young man sat chatting. • • • CHAPTER XVT Now. A1 Cunningham was not an Adonis for looks, hilt he had an ingratiating way with him, which, added to a discreetly flattering tongue, sometimes made inroads on the confidence of middle aged or elderly ladles. He passed the Heath house, and beaming his most debonair smile, he deliberately walked up the garden path and up a of the porch of Mrs. Prentiss. , Toddy Buck looked round in surprise, then rose, to greet a supposed friend of his aunt. But Mrs. Prentiss showed no recognition of the caller, and Cunningbarn, taking all on one bold move, held out his hand to her, as he said, ‘‘You'll forgive me. I know, when you hear what I’ve called about." His smile faded and gave way to a mysterious air, and his lowered voice promised thrilling revelations. Emily Prentiss couldn't resist this, and she graciously bowed and point'ed to nearby chair. Cunningham, thus encouraged, tacitly took Todhunter Buck also into his confidence, and began by saying: “I'm A1 Cunningham, a Gardens man, of course, and I you two at the inquest this afternoon. Mrs. Prentiss, I felt sure that you knew something about the affair but as you were not called upon, you couldn't—or didn’t tell it.” “Well, I declare!” cried the astonished woman. "Now, however, did you guess that? Here I was Just discussing with my nephew whether or no I ought to tell somebody, and along you come! It’s Just providential, that's what it is! You a detective, Mr. Cunningham?” “Well, I am, but not a professional one. Asa matter of fact, I'm a rank amateur,' but I’m working in the Interests of the Country Club. Mr. Heath was a member, you know, and some of the men think they ought to look Into the matter of his strange disappearance. And they've put the work rather more or less into my hands. So. as I said, I have a hunch you know something—oh, I beg your pardon, forgive the slang!” “No harm at all," Mrs. Prentiss beame% on him. "My nephew here, uses the most atflicious slang, so I’m

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OUT OUR WAY—By WILLIAMS

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used to it. Well sir. your hunch is a right one. I do know something, though whether it's of any account or not, I can't say. But seeing you are what you are. and sent out by the club and all, I don't see why I shouldn't tell you. In fact, I'd have told it before if I'd known who to tell. I don't altogether cotton to the police. They’re so high and mighty, and they can take what you tell ’em, and twist it all out of kilter until It s no use to them or anybody else.” "That’s so, Mrs. Prentiss.” Cunningham's voice’ was deeply sympathetic. "Now. if you are to tell me, I'll promise you the information will not be wasted." f "All right. I’ll tell.” Whereupon, Mrs. Prentiss detailed anew her watcTTof the night before She told accurately and just as she had told her nephew at breakfast of the strange appearances, disap pearances and reappearances of lights in the Heath studio. "It is a. most 'lnteresting story," Cunningham said, when she had finished. “And lam sure it is of the utmost Importance. Were it only concerning the main lights of the room, it would not be so peculiar, but the appearance of the two small sparks which were doubtless the candles left there, makes it all a strong piece of evidence, which, however, needs straightening out and unraveling to get its meaning. Let us try. Mrs. Prentiss, to reconstruct the happenings. Keep check on me and tell me if T gc wrong. Now, say the complete darkness at

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

half-past eleven meant the family and servants had all retired.” "Yes, that’s probably right.” “Well, then, sav, that when a dim light appeared perhaps half an hour later, someone came downstairs on a trifling errand —for a hook, or cigarets or some such thing.” “Yes—though that isn’t very definite.” ' \ "Ah, you thought I would be on° of those detectives who could deduce a man with a hooked nose and Van dyke beard, with a slight limp and a cast in his left eye." Mrs. Prentiss laughed, appreciating the banter. “Well, go on." she said. "Well, the indefinite prew’ler came downstairs, snapped on a small light, mavhe ft, desk light that wasn’t the candle, was^it?" “No. I recollect the effect clearly. It was doubtless, as you suggest, a small desk light or reading lamp." "Then, in a few moments comes another person, who flashes on the full lights of the room.” "Os course, though, it need not. have been another person It may well have been the first, the Indefinite person, still hunting what came after.” “Right! You are a born detective. Mrs. Prentiss! Well, anyhow, that big light stayed on till about 1 o'clock. That right?” "Yes. as near as I remember the hours. Then the candles showed.” “Yes, and it was during the time of that big light,—between 12 and 1 o’clock, that Mrs. Heath was killed. Or, at least, that's the way T see it. For the candles were, in ail prob-

SALESMAN SAM—By SWAN

BOOTS AND HER BUDDIES—By MARTIN

FRECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS—By BLOSSER

ability, put in place to represent funeral candles. Now that must have bene done after the lady was dead. Then, having arranged things to his satisfaction, the murderer snapped off the big light, and left the room, whether he left the house or not." “But there were more lights on and off after that.” “That is the most Important of all. If my belief is the truth, that the crime was committed just before the candles were lighted, then whoever came into that room afterward saw the candles, saw the dead worn an, and has. so far, kept quiet about It.” (To Be Continued.) RECORD FAIR ENTRIES Secretary Barker Says 1926 Greatest of AR-Time. Exceeding by thirty the total entries last year, this year’s State Fair promises a greater variety of exhibits than ever, according to E. .1. Barker, secretary treasurer of the State board of agriculture. Check of the entries for the 1926 Fair, completed today, showed 1.136 exhibits, as against 1,112 last year. This does not include club work exhibits, which also show a considerable increase. Barker said this year’s entries have established a record for all-time. Swine from seven States, besides Indiana, will be on exhibition. Seventy more art and culinary! exhibitors than last year have entered

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'jj>^ "l:

MR. FIXIT Trees Subject of Neighborhood Quarrel,

Let Mr. Fixit present your case to city officials. He is The Times representative at the city hail. Write him at The Times. Shall a quarrel between neighbors imperil the existence of three large shade trees, rare in modern days? City Forester Elbert Moore says so. DEAR MR. FIXIT: I have three large shade trees which are growing along the fence. But, all the same, they are on my side of' the fence. Would the next dohr neighbor be allowed to drill holes in one of them to kill it? They grow along the line and he says they belong to him as much as to me. It is the only one which has limbs large enough to hold the children's swing. A READER. Here’s Moore’s reply: The park department does not have jurisdiction over trees on private property. We only control on public lawns and thoroughfares outside of property lines. We believe there is a state law affording relief to adjoining property owners where branches of trees extend across property lines, giving the annoyed party the right to cut even with the line. Trespassers are always amenable to the law. If the trees are ready on his

OUR BOARDING HOUSE—By AHERN

or her private property, there is recourse in law. However, we advise neighbors to settle their difficulties peaceably and avoid courts of justice and lawyers, for the former Is uncertain and the latter very expensive. DEAR MR. FIXIT: Would it he possible to have a light at Bates St. • and State Ave.? It certainly is a dark place. When you are in a machine and want to make the turn there it is almost impossible to see where to turn. TIMES READER. Your request will he referred to the proper city authorities. The streets department has placed the following complaints on record for early action: A. 8., Muskingum St., between Michigan and North FOR ITCHING TORTURE Use Antiseptic Liquid Zemo There is one remedy that seldom fails to stop itching torture and relieve skin irritation, and that makes the skin soft, clear and healthy. Any druggist can supply yon with Zemo, which generaiy overcomes skin diseases, Kczcma, Itch, Pimples. Rashes, Blackheads, in most cases quickly give way to Zemo. Frequently minor blemishes disappear overnight. Itching usually stops instantly. Zemo la a safe, antiseptic liquid that may be applied any time, for it does not show. Ask your druggist for a small size OOf or large bottle $1 00. — Advertisement, i

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