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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 18, 1937)
THE GARDEN MURDER CASE °</ S.S.yAN PINE COPYRIGHT S.S.VAN DINE W.N.U. SERVICE. CHAPTER X—Continued —12— A worried look came into Siefert’s eyes. “I’ll come at once, of course,” he said. He looked at the nurse and then lifted his gaze to Vance. “Will you excuse me?” Vance bowed. “Certainly, doc tor. But I think Miss Beeton had better remain here in the air for a while longer.” Siefert left the roof reluctantly, with tlarden following him. Vance watched them until they turned through the door of the pass ageway; then he spoke to the nurse. “Please sit here a few minutes, Miss Beeton. I want to have a talk with you. But first I’d like a minute or two with Mr. Hammle.” The nurse nodded her assent and sat down a little wearily on the set tee. Vance beckoned curtly to Hammle. “Suppose we go inside for a moment.” Hammle rose with alacrity. “I was wondering how much longer you gentlemen were going to keep me here.” Vance led the way into the study, and Markham and I followed be hind Hammle. “What were you doing on the roof, Mr. Hammle?” asked Vance. “I told you some time ago, after our brief interview, that you might «o.” Hammle fidgeted. He was pat ently apprehensive and wary. “There’s no crime in going out into the garden for a while— is there?” he asked with unimpres sive truculence. “None whatever,” Vance re turned casually. “I was wonderin’ why you preferred the gardens to going home. Devilish things have been happening in the garden this afternoon.” "As I told you, I wish I had gone. How did I know—?” “That’s hardly the point, Mr. Hammle.” Vance cut him short. “It doesn’t answer my question.” “Well now, look here,” Hammle explained fulsomely: “I had just missed a train to Long Island, and it was more than an hour until the next one. When I went out of here and started to go downstairs, I sud denly said to myself, ‘It’ll be pleas anter waiting in the garden than in the Pennsylvania station.’ So I went out on the roof and hung around. And here I am.” Vance regarded the man shrewd ly and nodded his head. “Yes, as you say. Here you are. More or less in evidence. By the by, Mr. Hammle, what did you see while you were waiting in the gar den for the next train?” “Not a thing — absolutely!” Hammle’s tone was aggressive. “I walked along the boxwood hedges, smoking, and was leaning over the parapet by the gate, looking out at the city, when I heard you come out carrying the nurse.” Vance narrowed his eyes: it was obvious he was not satisfied with Hammle’s explanation. “And you saw no one else either In the garden or on the terrace?” “Not a soul,” the man assured him. “And you heard nothing?” “Not until you gentlemen came out.” Vance stood regarding Hammle for several moments. Then he turned and walked toward the gar den window. "That will be all for the mo ment,” he said brusquely. "But we shall probably want to see you to morrow.” "I'll be at home all day. Glad to be of any service.” Hammle shot a covert look at Vance, made his adieux quickly, and went out down the passageway. Vance returned at once to the garden. Miss Beeton drew herself up a little as he approached her. “Do you feel equal to a few ques tions?” he asked her. “Oh, yes.” She smiled with more assurance now, and rose. As we crossed the garden to the balustrade, Miss Beeton took a deep breath and shuddered slightly. “You’d better have your coat, Vance suggested. He returned to the study and brought it out to her. When he had helped her into it she turned suddenly and looked at him inquiringly. “Why was my coat brought to the study?” she asked. Vance’s tone was reassuring. We really owe you an explanation. You see, two revolvers figured in Swift’s death. One of them we all saw on the roof here—that was the one with which the chap was killed. But no one downstairs heard the shot because the poor fellow met his end in Professor Garden’s storeroom vault—” “Ah! That was why you wanted to know if the key was in its place.” The girl nodded. “The shot we all heard,” Vance went on, “was fired from another revolver after Swift's body had been carried from the vault and placed in the chair out here. We were naturally anxious to find that other weapon, and Sergeant Heath made a search for it . . • “But—but—my coat?” Her hand went out and she clutched at Vance’s sleeve as a look of under standing came into her frightened eyes. “Yes,” Vance said, “the Sergeant found the revolver in the pocket of yout top-coat. Someone had put it there as a temporary hiding-place.” She recoiled with a sudden intake of breath. “How dreadful!” Her words were barely audible. Vance put his hand on her shoul der. “But it’s too terrible! . . . And then this—this attempt on my life. I can’t understand. I’m frightened.” “Come, come,” Vance exhorted the girl. “It’s over now, and we need your help.” She gazed directly into his eyes for several minutes. Then she gave him a faint smile of confidence. "I’m very sorry,” she said sim ply. "But this house—this family— they’ve been doing queer things to my nerves for the past month. I can’t explain it, but there’s some thing frightfully wrong here ... I was in charge of an operating room in a Montreal hospital for six months, attending as many as six and eight operations a day; but that never affected me the way this household does. There, at least, I could see what was going on—I could help and know that I was helping. But here everything goes on in dark corners, and nothing I do seems to be of any use. . . . But please don’t think I am not ready to help—to do anything I can for you. You, too, always have to work in the dark, don’t you?” "Don’t we all have to work in the dark?” Vance murmured, without taking his eyes from her. "Tell me who you think could have been guilty of the terrible things that have happened here.” All fear and doubt seemed to have left the girl. CHAPTER XI “Woode Swift’s death wasn’t at all the sort of thing I would expect to happen here,” the nurse said. “I wouldn’t have been surprised at some act of impulsive violence, but this premeditated murder, so sub tle and so carefully planned, seems alien to the atmosphere here. Be sides, it isn’t a loving family, ex cept on the surface. Floyd Garden is saner than the others. His in terests are narrow, to be sure, but on his own mental level. He’s de pendable, too, I think. He has al ways taken the course of ignoring the existence of those qualities which have caused friction between the other members of the house hold.” She paused and frowned. “As for Mrs. Garden, I feel that by nature she is shallow and is deliberately creating for herself a deeper and more complex mode of life, which she doesn’t in the least understand. That, of course, makes her unreasonable and dangerous. I hae never had a more unreasonable patient. She has no consideration whatever for others. Her affection for her nephew has never seemed genuine to me.” "And Professor Garden? "He’s a researcher and scientist, of course, and, therefore, not alto gether human, in the conventional sense. I have thought sometimes that he isn’t wholly rational.” "What is your impression of the guests who were present today?” Vance said. "I don’t feel competent to pass judgment on them,” the girl re plied seriously. “I can’t entirely understand them. But each one strikes me as dangerous in his own way. They are all playing a game —and it seems to be a game with out rules. To them the outcome justifies the methods they use.” “Yes, quite. You have clear vi sion.” Vance scrutinized the girl beside him. “And you took up nursing because you are able to face the realities. You are not afraid of life—or of death.” The girl looked embarrassed. "You’re making too much of my profession. After all. I had to earn my living, and nursing appealed to me.” “Yes, of course. It would.” Vance nodded. “But tell me, wouldn’t you rather not have to work for your living?” She looked up. “Perhaps. But isn’t it natural for every woman to prefer luxury and security to drudgery and un certainty?” “No doubt,” said Vance. “And speakin’ of nursing, just what do you think of Mrs. Garden’s condi tion?” Miss Beeton hesitated before she answered: “Really, I don’t know what to say. I can’t understand it. And I rather suspect that Doctor Siefert himself is puzzled by it Mrs. Garden is obviously a sick woman. She shows many of the symptoms of that nerv ous, eriatic temperament exhibited by people suffering from cancer. Though she’s much better some days than others, I know that she suffers a great deal. Doctor Siefert tells me she is really a neurologi cal case; but I get the feeling, at times, that it goes much deeper— that an obscure physiological condi tion is producing the neurological symptoms she shows.” “That’s most interestin’. Doctor Siefert mentioned something of the kind to me only a few days ago.” Vance moved nearer to the girl. “Would you mind telling me some thing of your contacts with the members of the household?” “There’s very little to tell. Pro fessor Garden practically ignores me—half the time I doubt if he even knows I am here. Mrs. Gar den alternates between periods of irritable admonition and intimate confidence. Floyd Garden has al ways been pleasant and consider ate. I’ve rather liked him for his attitude.” “And what of Swift—did you see much of him?” The girl seemed reluctan to an swer. “The truth is, Mr. Swift asked me several times to go to dinner and the theater with him. I got the impression that he was one of those unhappy men who feel their inferi ority and seek to bolster themselves "Vance! Come Down From There!” up with the affections of women. I think that he was really concerned with Miss Graem, and merely turned to me through pique.” Vance smoked for a few moments in silence. Then he said: "What of the big race today? Had there been much discussion about it?” "Oh, yes. For over a week I’ve heard little else here. A curious tension has been growing in the house. I heard Mr. Swift remark to Floyd Garden one evening that the Rivermont Handicap was his one remaining hope, and that he thought Equanimity would win. They immediately went into a furi ous argument regarding Equanimi ty’s chances.” “Was it generally known to the other members of the afternoon gatherings how Swift felt about this race and Equanimity?” “Yes, the matter was freely dis cussed for days—You see,” the girl added in explanation, “it’s impos sible for me not to overhear some of these afternoon discussions.” “By the by,” asked Vance, “how did you come to bet on Azure Star?” “Frankly,” the girl confessed shy ly, “I’ve been mildly interested in the horse - betting parties here, though I’ve never had any desire to make a wager myself. But I overheard you tell Mr. Garden that you had picked Azure Star, and the name was so appealing that I asked Mr. Garden to place that bet for me. It was the first time I ever bet on a horse.” “And Azure Star came in.” Vance sighed. “Too bad. Actually you bet against Equanimity, you know— he was the favorite. A big gamble. Most unfortunate that you won. Be ginner’s luck, d’ ye see, is always fatal.” The girl's face became suddenly sombre, and she looked -teadily at Vance for several moments before she spoke again. “Do you really think it will prove fatal?” “Yes. Oh, yes. Inevitable. You won’t be able to resist making oth er wagers. One doesn’t stop with the first bet if one wins. And, in variably, one loses in the end.” Again the girl gave Vance a long and troubled look; then her gaze drifted to the darkening sky over head. “But Azure Star is a beautiful name, isn’t it?” She pointed up ward. “There’s one now.” We all looked up. High above we saw a single bright star shining with blue luminosity in the cloud less sky. After a moment Vance moved toward the parapet and looked out over the waters of the river to the purpling hills and the still glowing $unset colors in the west. , “No city in the world,” Vance said, “is as beautiful as New York seen from a vantage point like this in the early twilight.” (I wondered at his sudden change of mood.) He stepped up on the parapet and looked down into the great abyss of deep shadows and flickering lights far below. A curious chill of fear ran over me—the sort of fear I have always felt when I have seen acrobatic performers perilously bal anced high above a circus arena. Miss Beeton was standing close to Markham, and she, too, must have experienced something of the sensation I felt, for I saw her face go suddenly pale. Her eyes were fixed on Vance with a look of ap prehensive horror. “Vance!” It was Markham’s stern voice that broke the silence. “Come down from there!” Vance jumped down and turned to us. “Frightfully sorry,” he said. “Height does affect most people. I didn't realize.” He looked at the girl. “Will you forgive me? . . As he spoke Floyd Garden stepped out on the roof through the passageway door. “Sorry, Vance,” he apologized, “but Doc Siefert wants Miss Beeton downstairs—if she feels equal to it. The mater is putting on one of her acts.” The nurse hurried away immedi ately, and Garden strolled up to Vance. He was again fussing with his pipe. “A beastly mess,” he mumbled. "And you’ve certainly put the fear of God and destruction into the hearts of the pious boys and girls here this afternoon. They all got the jitters after you talked with them.” He looked up. "The fact is, Vance, if you should want to see Kroon or Zalia Graem or Madge Weatherby for any reason this eve ning, they'll be here. They’ve all asked to come. Must return to the scene of the crime, or something of that kind. Need mutual support.” “Perfectly natural. Quite.” Vance nodded. “I understand their feel ings . . . Beastly mess, as you say . . . And now suppose we go down.” Doctor Siefert met us at the foot of the stairs. ‘‘I was just coming up for you, Mr. Vance. Mrs. Garden insists on seeing you gentlemen.” Then he added in a low tone: “She’s in a tantrum. A bit hysterical. Don’t take anything she may say too se riously.” We entered the bedroom. Mrs. Garden, in a salmon-pink silk dress ing gown, was in bed, bolstered up by a collection of pillows. Her face was drawn and, in the slanting rays of the night-light, seemed flabby and unhealthy. Her eyes glared de moniacally as she looked at us, and her fingers clutched nervously at the quilt. Miss Beeton stood at the far side of the bed, looking down at her patient with calm concern; and Professor Garden leaned heavily against the window-sill opposite, his face a mask of troubled solicitude. “I have something to say, and I want you all to hear it.” Mrs. Gar den’s voice was shrill and strident. “My nephew has been killed to day—and I know who did it!” She glared venomously at Floyd Garden who stood near the foot of the bed, his pipe hanging limply from the corner of his mouth. “You did it!” She pointed an apeusing finger at her son. “You’ve always hated Woody. You’ve been jealous of him. No one else had any reason to do this despicable thing. I suppose I should lie for you and shield you. But to what end? So you could kill somebody else? You Killed Woody, and I know you killed him. And I know why you did it . . Floyd Garden stood through this! tirade without moving and without? perceptible emotion. “And why did I do it, mater?” “Because you were jealous of him. Because you knew that I had divided my estate equally between you two—and you want it all for yourself. You always resented the fact that I loved Woody as well as you. And now you think that by having got Woody out of the way, you’ll get everything when I die. But you’re mistaken. You’ll get nothing! Do you hear me? Nothing! j Tomorrow I’m going to change my will. Woody’s share will go to your father, with the stipulation that you will never get or inherit a dollar of | it. And your share will go to chari-1 ty.” She laughed hystericslly andvj beat the bed with her clenched fists, j Doctor Siefert had been watching the woman closely. He now moved j a little nearer the bed. “An ice-pack, immediately,” he said to the nurse; and she went quickly from the room. Then he busied himself with his medicine case and deftly prepared a hypo- j dermic injection. The woman relaxed under his pa tient dictatorial scrutiny and per mitted him to give her the injec tion. She lay back on the pillows, staring blankly at her son. The nurse returned to the room and ar ranged the ice-bag for her patient. Doctor Siefert then quickly made out a prescription and turned to Miss Beeton. (TO HE CONTINUED) Dutch East Indies Costumes In the Dutch East Indies the sim ple, but none the less colorful, cos tume of both the men and women consists of the sarong, which is a batik wrap-around skirt, and the kebaya, a jacket in a color which harmonizes or contrasts with that of the batik skirt. The men wear a "kain kepala” which is a batik tur ban headgear, and the women have a slendang.a long shawl-like piece of batik cloth which is used for pur poses varying from carrying infants on one hip to ornamental decoration very much in the manner of th» American girl's kerchief. HOj^RE t/ouj&m / DR. JAMES W. BARTON Talks About ® Sudden Loss of Weight. A WOMAN consulted her family physician complaining of great weakness and indigestion. Her phy sician noted that she had become quite thin and as she was past forty years of age suggested that an X ray examination of the stomach and intestines be made. The report from the X-ray physl Dr. Barton cian stated, I find a condition of ex treme ptosis (fall ing or dropping) of the abdominal or gans and also of both kidneys. In the standing posi tion the stomach fell about 6 inches below the crest of the ilium (the hip bone).” It should really be two or three inches above the navel or umbilicus. “At the end of five hours the stomach was only about half emp ty.” (It should have been com pletely empty.) “I consider this de lay due wholly to the position of the stomach rather than any other path ology (disease). The shape of the stomach and intestines were nor mal.” Now what had caused the stom ach to drop all the way down to nearly the bottom of the abdomen, and so be so slow in emptying, and what had caused the kidneys to fall forward out of their regular posi tion? This condition was due entirely to a great loss of fat that was hold ing up the abdominal organs, and the loss of fat was due to taking a drug or combination of drugs to reduce weight without the patient being examined by a physician and under his supervision. The Fat Was Needed. The unfortunate part about it was that this individual was not fat, had about the right amount of fat to give a firm appearance to the skin, and enough fat also to help sup port the abdominal organs properly. By losing this support the abdom inal organs were left in the wrong mechanical position, and so weak ness, indigestion, and constipation resulted. And the effect upon the nervous system was such that the individual became depressed as she believed that her health was per manently ruined. The treatment prescribed for this ptosis—falling or dropping of the abdominal organs—was (a) an ab dominal belt or corset which would temporarily hold the organs up in their proper position, (b) as much rest as possible, particularly lying down, not standing or sitting, (c) eating as much fat foods—cream, butter, nuts, egg yolks, and starch foods—bread, potatoes, sugar — as possible in order to increase the amount of fat on the body and in between the organs, so that with in creased fat, there would be some fat to help hold these organs. The point I wish to make is that as overweight — excessive over weight — is really an ailment it should not be treated by the pa tient himself or herself, any more than any other ailment is treated. There should first be the examina tion by the physician who will pre scribe for overweight from the diet, exercise, or, if necessary, from the drug standpoint also. Further, just as a patient under treatment for any ailment reports to the physician at stated intervals, so must one afflicted with over weight also report so that the weight, the heart, the blood pres sure, the blood and the urine may all be checked. And finally it should not be law ful for anyone to go into a drug store and purchase an anti-fat drug without a physician’s prescription. • • + Coil Liver Oil. It is not hard to understand that before other religions were brought to them, natives of various islands worshiped the sun. The sun brought light, and gave heat for growth of foodstuffs to maintain life. As it gave them life then it was only natural that they gave it thanks in the form of worship. Today we are able to know some thing about the sun as we realize that it has its effects upon human beings, giving strength to bones and blood. We know also that when the sun does not shine much or when its rays have less heat and power, what is called “bottled sunshine,” cod liver oil, is available. Thus for a great many years it has been the rule in some households to give the children cod liver oil during the days when there is little or no sunshine. Recently it has been learned that in addition to building bones and blood cod liver oil has the power to kill off harmful organisms in the body. The killing off of these or ganisms enables the body to exert its strength in building up tissue, and so fight oil the organisms which cause various ailments. Another use in building bone and getting rid of harmful organisms is the filling of old diseased bones with cod liver oil. This has done away with much of the scraping and draining formerly necessary. @ Ball Syndicate.—WNU Service. HOUSEHOLD QUESTIONS pQ Items of Interest to the Housewife ^ To remove brown stains from light colored ranges, dip a cloth in turpentine and apply to stains. With a little pressure the stains will come off. * • * Bluing spots on white clothing can be removeo by boiling in clear water. • • * A solution of ammonia or soda and water will • remove grease stains from unvarnished wood. * • • When serving pickled onions use sugar tongs instead of a fork. It is easier to get them out of the jar. * * * A little sweet oil applied t o bronzes after they are dusted, fol lowed by a brisk rubbing with a chamois skin will bring out their rich tones. * a a Sliced almonds make a pleasant addition to chicken salad. • * * When broiling a steak, cut off excess fat around edge to prevent it from catching fire when placed below glowing fire. * • • Put a small bowl of water in the oven and your cakes will not burn. Light the oven a good ten minutes before putting in your cake. When the cake has risen and begun to set, lower the heat a little and move to a cooler shelf. To test whether your cake is cooked, touch lightly with one finger; if cooked, the surface of Foreign Words ^ and Phrases Mirabile dictu. (L.) Wonderful to relate. Qu’importe? (F.) What does it matter? Parvenu. (F.) A person of low origin; an upstart. Qui vivra, verra. (F.) Who lives will see. Regnant populi. (L.) The people reign. (Motto of Arkansas.) Sanctum sanctorum. (L.) The holy of holies. Usque ad aras. (L.) To the very altars; to the last extremity. Ventre-a-terre. (F.) At full gal lop; at breakneck speed. Dr. Pierce’s Pleasant Pellets are an effective laxative. Sugar coated. Children like them. Buy now!—Adv. The Protesting Martyr It is the protesting martyr that leaves a mark on the world. trader mark Nothing better for that rasp or cough than the famous, soothing Smith Brothers Cough Drops. (Black or Menthol— 5*f.) Smith Bros. Couuh Drops are the only drops containing VITAMIN A This is the vitamin that raises the resistance of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat to cold and cough infections^ "Mary, darling! Hop in —we’ll grow old together!”! go F/iRmeK BEFORE YOU NEED A QUART These crisp, cold days are fine for driving if you have the right oil in your crankcase. Use Quaker State Winter Oil which meets the three requirements for care-free driving... easy starting ... constant lubrication ...long life. Its stamina is assured by the "extra quart of lubrication in every gallon. ” That’s why you go much farther before you need to add , a quart. Quaker State Oil Refin- fj ing Corporation, Oil City, Pa. /L f'llM 4=r« Retailprict .35i per Quart 4 the cake will spring back when the finger is removed. • * • A little starch added to the water used in washing windows, mirrors and other glassware will not only help remove dirt but will give a lasting polish. * • • Pour a cup of cold water over cooked cereal before leaving it for the night. This prevents a hard crust forming on cereal. Pour off water in the morning and reheat cereal. © Associated Newspapers.—WNU Servlca. Light Upon Duty ¥ IGHT of any kind invariably L' throws light upon duty, and if we know anything we are sure to have thereby a clearer notion of right from wrong. The mere awakening of the under standing must awaken the con science in some degree. You cannot gain more intellectual power without also gaining moral light. 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