Indianapolis Times, Volume 38, Number 122, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 August 1926 — Page 18

PAGE 18

“The VANITY CASE”

A Tale of Mystery and Love By CAROLYN WELLS

BEGIN lIF.RE TODAY MRS. PRENTISS, who suffers from insomnia, seen lights mysteriously appear anrl disappear in the HEAiti household next door one, night, and the next morning HARBOR GARDENS. Long Island, is agog with th murder ot MIRA HEATH and the disappearance of PERRY, her husband. , . House guests of the Heaths are LAWRENCE INMAN and BUNNY MOORE. Inman might hare a motive because he is heir to Myra's considerable fortune, she having cut oft her husband in her will. Suspicion also points to goldenhatred. vivoctous Bunny Moore, became of her refusal to answer questions at the inqufst. Myra Heath was a peculiar woman. She never used cosmetics, never wore colors She had a mania for collecting glass, and It was a rare old whisky bottle that was the instrument of her death. Candles were burning at her liaed and feet when a maid discovered her body, and near by was a oaril marked. “The Work of Perry Heath." Strangest of all, she was heavily made up and dressed with gay colors. The strangest thing about Heath s disappearance is the tact that all the windows and doors had been locked on the inside the night before and were found that way in the morning. Finger prints of Bunny and Inman are found on the bottle. A vanity case has strangely disappeared and physicians determine that the rouge was applied to Myra's face after death. At the Country Club, the murder Is discussed by SAM ANDERSON. Heath s rival for the club presidency; AL CUNNINGHAM. who is trying to solve the case, and others. Some believe Heath the murderer. Others. Including Anderson, disagree. Cunningham, believing Bunny Moore is concealing something, calls on Mrs. Prentiss, who tells him about the mysterious lights. NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY CHAPTER XVII "Might have been some of the servants,” suggested Mrs. Prentiss. “Yes, it might easily have been. And the second trip, as we may call the time when the big light was again flashed on for a 6hort time, may have been other servants, come to confirm the news already told." “Now you’re romancing," Todhunter Buck broke in. “I say, Mr. Cunningham, I'm keen on this detective business myself. I wish you’d let. me help you, I’ll promise not to be a, nuisance.” “Glad to have you. I’ve no illusions regarding my own powers, but I have a capacity fdr work, and a bulldog tenacity for digging at a clew ’’ “Good. Well, then I think you've no right to asume the servants anymore than the guest of the household. Nor, to my mind, have you any more reason to suspect them, than that the murderer, himself returned to the scene of the crime twp or three times. There’s no argument that he shouldn't. He killed the lady, and in all probability he afterward made up her face In that strange fashion. But it is quite as likely that he was In and out of that room, and that he snapped on and off the big lights as that any one else did. Why, if the guests or servants had gone there inadvertently, and had seen that awful sight, they would have given an alarm at once." •That’s so. Toddy," said his aunt, looking admiringly at her nephew. "I wish I had looked more carefully for shadows on the blind. I did sometimes see one moving vaguely about, but it was so indistinct that recognition was Impossible.” "You didn’t see any one out of doors? Any one leaving the premises?" “Now, you speak/ of It, seems as ff I did see some mah sort of sneakin’ out. But It wasn’t Perry Heath. It was a short, thickset fellow, and I’m pretty .near sure It was that Katie’s young man. I've seen him before,—he always brings her home after her evening out. Katie's a nice girl, a respectable girl, and she’s engaged to her beau. But they do stay out awful late. My. if she was my maid, she’s be in the house and the back door locked by 10 o’clock. And no other maid a sneakin’ down to let her In, neither. But Mrs. Heath, now, she gave her orders, and then she just took for granted they was carried out! Yes, that's Myra Heath all over. She'd give implicit and explicit directions to that hunch of servants over there, and she’d assume they’re all abeyed to the letter. Band., they ain’t! She always held her head so highregular Johnny-Iyook-In-The-Alr, she was! Well, poor thing, she'll never hold her head high again!" "Her servants were not loyal, then?" 'Oh. loyal. In a way They liked her for all “her airs, hut of course her for all her airs, but of course, its human nature to scamp service if nobody’s looking." “Oh. sure. But do you think the servants were up and about at that hour of the night?" “You heard what the girls told at the Inquest." “Yes. And they seemed honest and straightforward. Emma let Katie In and then went back to her room. Katie visited the icebox, and then went to her room.” "Yes,” Mrs. Prentiss spoke dubiously. “That’s what they said. And like enough ’twas true. But what became of Perry Heath? How did he get out and where did he go?" “Was he a man to be friendly with the maids? Would Emma, say.

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have let him out as readily as she let Katie In?” "I wouldn’t put It past her, as far as Emma's concerned. But I don't think Mr. Heath \*as like that. Not that you can tell a single thing about any man. But Perry Heath is so up and coming, so sort of straightforward, that it seems to me, if he wanted to get out of his own house unbeknownst, he'd manage it himself without the aid of any servant." I “les," A1 Cunningham agreed, "that’s the way I size up Perry Heath. Now, here’s another thing. If Heath killed his wife, and vamoosed afterward, as many’ suppose, why would lie want to make it appear that there was no way for him to get out? Why not do his killing and walk off leaving front door open behind him? -f can’t get the reason for his secrecy. For his trying to make it look as if he escaped by supernatural means.” "That’s a point,” cried Todhunter Buck, eagerly. "That’s a point that’t been puzzling me, and I've got my answer!" “You have!” said Cunningham, "what is it?" “Well, you see," Toddy was a lit tie excited at being made a principal in the discussion, "you see, I’m not at all sure that Heath was the mur derer.” H ell, Teddy went on, "suppose, just suppose, that the murderer was that Inman man." "But why should he kill his cousin? They say he was in love with her?" This from Mrs. Prentiss. "I know they say that. But suppose he wasn't. Suppose he pretended to be, but he wasn’t. And he wanted her money, which was to come to him by her will. Well, suppose he killed her, and fixed up the cosmestic stunt and the candles and all, with the idea of implicating her husband, who, they say, always wanted her to rouge up and all that. 'Veil, then, suppose, he shut off the lights, all but th® candles, and just lay doggo and waited. And suppose Friend Husband comes creeping down to find out what’s up. And suppose the cousin kills him, too And,—conceals hi* body—say, In the cellar, —or garden." "Why, Todhunter Buck, what a terrible idea!" cried his aunt, gasplng for breath. "But it's all terrible. Aunt Emily. And that would account for the disappearance of Perry Heath without leaving any door or window unlocked." “Ingenious in theory." Cunningham said, deeply Interested in Toddy’s notion. "But does it hold water?" "As how?" asked young Buck. VVell, it isn’t so easy to conceal a body in the cellar " "All right,” Toddy cried, "then he takes It out and throws it in the sea. Weighted and all that, you know. And comes back, and turns on the big light for that last time, —and then, locks the doors and goes off to bed.” "Maybe,” Cunningham said, shaking his head thoughtfully, "maybe."

CHAPTER XVIIT That evening Larry Inman and Bunny dined alone. It was an ordeal, but they had agreed that It was wise for them to keep up the ordinary routine of the house as far as possible, and be ready at any moment for the return of Perry Heath. Asa matter of course and also be cans there was need for a master. Inman assumed the head of the house, while Bunny naturally filled Myra’s place In the affairs of do mestic detail. Bunny’s eyes filled as she remembered the gay party at the table the night before, but she conquered her emotions, and contrived to manage a little light conversation with Inman. " e have to face the situation." he said gravely, "and we may as well do the best we can to keep—” "Keep the home fires burning,' Bunny said, with an effort to speak lightly. "Yes,’* he responded, "against Perry's return." "Where is he. Larry?" Bunny said, for Herrick was momentarily out of the room. There was a note of intense anguish in her voice, a hint of tragedy that was breaking her young heart. "I don’t know, Bunny,” Inman said, but he did not look at her. "It is very hard to know what to do. Unless he comes home soon I shall have to look after some of his business matters for him. A note of his falls due tomorrow and such things should not be neglected." “Oh, no, of course not. Do at tend to it, Larry—if—if he doesn't come tonight. Where could he have gone?” “Bunny, you know Perry Is a law unto himself. He may have gone away last night, before befor? Myra died. She may have known all going, and said good-by to him ahd all—after you and I went upstairs. It wouldn’t be an unheard of thing.” "N—no, I suppose not. But in that case, he’ll see about the—the crime, in tonight’s papers, and he’ll come right home, of course.” "Yes, of course.” But again, Inman did not look at her. He seemed to avoid her eyes, and turned his glance aside when he spoke to her. "What about Myra's will?" the girl said, suddenly—so suddenly that Inman gave a start. “Why, the lawyer. Hart, is away. He's expected home in a day or two. He will doubtless come as Boon as he hears the news.” "Are you Myra’s heir?” "I don’t know. Bunny. You heard what she said to Heath last night. If I am, I shall be glad, for the money belongs in our family, and Perry can always make his own living.” "Yes; is this house Myra’s, too?” “Her money was used to build it, but I’m not sure who holds the title. Don’t talk about such details—things ace bad enough without dragging in money matters!” The death of Myra was a tragedy that sank the whole household in gloom. But Heath’s absence was

OUT OUR WAY—By WILLIAMS

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treated as merely part of the usual routine, and whatever these two might think about it, they must as sume his impending reappearance. They were not confidential, this pair, but they were as one in pre serving a calm exterior and a courteous attitude. Dinner over, they went into the lounge for coffee. By a common, though unspoken impulse they avoided the studio. All that remained qf beautiful Myra Heath had been taken away by the funeral director’s men. but plans for the obsequies were in abeyance pending Perry's return. But though the studio had been restored to its usual condition of orderly informality, it was and would ever be a room of horror to any inmate of the Heath household. So Bunny, a crumpled and pathetic little figure, sat in the corner of the big davenport, and Inman stalked about the great room, cigaret in one hand, and coffee cup in the other. They were full of unrest, both of them, but could not bring themselves to talk of Myra. "I wish I could go home,” Bunny said, plaintively. "Won’t they let me go, Larry?” "I don’t think so. It seems a coroner’s verdict is far from final in the minds of the police. They don’t seem inclined to make a move, though, or let anybody else make one, until Perry comes home.” "Are they doing anything to find him?” “Yos, —in a stuPid, bat-blind way.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

They telephoned to the dealer who often sells his Pictures, and the man said he hadn’t seen Perry for two or three weeks. A fat lot of good such hunting does!” “What do you think they ought to do?” The little flower face looked up at him wistfully, as if he were the only hope or reliance. As indeed he was. Poor little Bunny had never before known a trouble or care greater than the misfit of a new gown, or the tragedy of an unbecoming hat. And now, plunged suddenly into a sorrow so grave and terrible, and with no hope of rescue or relief, her dazed brain and stunned heart could scarcely meet the issues. Yet she was learning. Already she was beginning to see that she must rely on herself for decisions and actions. Her thoughts flew to the rather nice woman who had that morning offered to help her. Who had even offered her a temporary home l —and, who seemed to consider one necessary. "Larry,” she said, suddenly, "I ought not to be here alone with you.” He set down his cup and came and seated himself by her side. "No, Bunny,” he said, seriously, “you ought not. To be sure, a situation like this, a terrible crisis of this sort, gives one liberty to break all laws of convention—indeed, it makes convention seem a trivial and futile thing. But, conventions remain, pass. I wish I knew what is best for you to do*

SALESMAN SAM—By SWAN

BOOTS AND HER BUDDIES—By MARTIN

FRECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS—By BLOSSER

I’m sorry to tell you, that I know you will not be allowed to go home just yet. Mott is very busy with his inquiries, and he’s only waiting a little longer for Perry’s reappearance before he breaks loose with some terrible developments." "What do you mean, Larry, you scare me to death!” "Don't be frightened till the time comes—l’ll keep you advised and all that, but —be prepared, Bunny, for stormy times ahead.” "What do you mean?” the girl cried. She was ashy white now and her blue eyes were big and dark with apprehension. "Larry,” she whispered, "you know that awful man said that—our —our finger prints were on that bottle!" “Yes, I know he did.” “What does that mean, Larry?” “Well,* Bunny, what does it mean?” But a sudden change came over the queer, elfin child. She sprang up from the cpuch, and almost dancing across the room, she seated herself bolt upright in a small, straight chair. She folded her arms, and her lovely mouth pursed itself into a pout of mutinous rebellion. "I'm not afraid of them,” she said, defiantly. "They can say what they choose, and do what they choose! I’m not afraid! Are you, Larry?” "No," he replied, puzzled at her belligerent attitude. “Why should I be?” "Ah, why should you be?" she repeated, "why should I be? , Why should anybody be?”

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“Bunny, hush! You’re talking nonsense,” Inman exclaimed, a vague fear coming to him, that the matter had affected her mind. "No—no, I’m not. I say, Larry, have you looked over Perry's papers?” "No, of course not! What right have I to do that?” “Oh, he’ll never come back. I thought at first he would, —now, I know he won’t. And I miss him so 1 miss him so—” her voice trailed away like a diminishing echo. Inman sighed. She was such a child. Yet the next morning she spoke seriously. “Larry, t,he lady next door, —that Mrs. Prentiss, you know, has asked me to go to stay with her for a while, —until I can go home.” "Has she? Why, Bunny, that’s the very thing! I do hope you'll go-’’ "Are you so anxicu , to be rid of me?” “Yes—for your own good. For your own good name. You see, people would talk if you and I stayed here alone. Nor would it make it any better for you if Perry turned up. You must see that! But for you to go to Mrs. Prentiss’, would be an ideal plan! Do go. Bunny, do. You can run over here every day, you know, to look over Myra’s things and all that. Please, Bunny, let me urge you to go.” "Don’t attempt to boss me! You know it always makes pie obstinate!"

OUR BOARDING HOUSE—By AHERN

“Well, I’ll coax you, then. Go, dear, there’s a good girl. You will, won’t you?” "I—l don’t know —" Now, Bunny had immediately and fully made up her mind to go, but she couldn’t resist the chance to tease Larry. He was so ridiculously insistent. Then just at that crisis, the doorknocker sounded, and Herrick admitted three callers. (To Be Continued.) OIL COMPANY EXPANDS Seeks Wider powers Than Those Available in Texas. Bu United Prc* NEW YORK, Aug. 27.—Articles of incorporation have been filed in Delaware for the Texas corporation with an authorized capital of $250,000,000 to function as a holding

$2.75 EXCURSION LOUISVILLE AND RETURN Sunday, Aug. 29, 1926 Leave Station 7:00 A. M. Interstate Public Service Company

AUG. 27, 1926

company to take over stock of the present Texas company, one of the largest oil companies It was an nounced here today. Reasons for incorporation of the new company were set forth by Chairman Amos L. Beaty, outstand ing of which was to give the com pany wider powers than could be exercised under the laws of Texas inasmuch as the company does business in many States.

EXCURSION —TO—CINCINNATI $0 7C ROUND Z./D TRIP Shelbyville $ .65 Greensburg 1.10 Batesville 1.50 SUNDAY, August 29 Special train of all-steel equipment will leave Indianapolis 7 a. m.; returning leave Cincinnati 7 p. m., Central Time (8 p. m. City Time), same date. For tickets and full particulars call at City Ticket Office, 112 Monument Circle, Phone MA In 6330, or Union Station. BIG FOUR ROUTE