Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

r . f THtfePAY, JULY 11, 1935 -1' / f ^^MION PROPPEri< OHAAPEA* B(tOTHeAS**lM4. THIRD INSTALLMENT Synopsis: .Six persons ftre in an iP- ner office of Um law firm of Dawson, McQoire and Lodce ajt Philadelphia. A master hearii^ in 'tlie divorce case of Rowland vs Rowland is under way. Mrs. Rowland, represented by her law yer brother, Mrt Wiilard}. Mr. Row land, the defendant, and his attorney^ Mr. Tnuid>uU; the count clerk and Mr. Dawson, the master, are the six pcrsoiM. There is a new development , in tile case. After failinf to defend tiiwMjJf ftg«iiist the charge of adultery in earlier hearings, Mr. Rowland digs IQ) evidence and asks, the court's per^ mission" to produce witnesses and re sist the suit. Judge Dawson overrules the heated objections of Mr. Willard, and orders Mr. Trumbull to bring in the first witness. Mr. Tnunbull has just gone to an outer office to bring and orders the witness brought in. Rowland's lawyer goes to get the wit ness but finds her dead—chloroformed. She is Mrs. Baibara Keith, wife of a prominent Philadelphia business man. Judge Dawson phoned for the police. Detective Tommy Rankin is assigned to the case. He is now questioning all of the' parties involved in the case. 6 Rankin’s voice showed his disap pointment. “The door isn’t latched,’’ . he announced. “I was afraid of that. Somebody in these offices has unfast ened the catch, which means that the whole world could have entered from the outside.” It was coincident with this start ling discovery of the unlatched door that the telephone operator appeared at the door from the library to- an nounce Dr. Sackett. The black-goateed coroner’s physician entered behind her. He was folios^ by a photographer from headquarters, and then by John son, the fingerprint expert. ^ soon as inti^uctions hi^ been made. Dr. Sack- ett, assisted by Dr. Clark, began his examination of the t^ody. While John son was producing an insufflator and a magnifying glass from his kit for the detection of prints, Rankin cau- tioned him: “Pay particular attention to the knobs of both doors and to the win- . dows.” The expert acquiesced with a gnmt. - “While they’re busy in here, we’d best continue the investigation in the library,” Rankip suggested. “It’s too crowded.” Accompanied by the two men, he carried Mrs. Keith’s pocketbook with him into the next room. It had been ‘on the desk before her, a fine petit- point bag. In the library,^ Rankin went to the door into the mkin office, and beck oned Jenks.' “Here is your first job, Jenks,” he aaid. “I want you to quiz the entire force in there and learn what you can of their actions. I'm especially inter ested in finding out who came in here today—anyone at all, whether employ ees or cUente—and when they did so.” Mr. Dawson shook his head. “If it’s your object to leam'wbo opened that door to fifteen-o-five,” he observed, “I fear that won’t help you much. You really have no idea when it was un Idcked; it might have been done tome ■'other day, by any of a dozen callers, who recently used the library.” “Except, Mr Dawson,” the detec “live countered, “that the criminal couldn’t have foreseen until today-— possibly not until Mrs. Keith arrived —that she would be in there, waiting alone. Do you recall the last tin^ you noticed the latch oh?” “f haven’t had occasion to try it for weeks; in fact, I haven’t been using the office at aH for longer than that. I’m only certain it wasn’t opened by my key.” Rankin shrugged and spread* his arms in a brief/comprehensive ges ture. / He continued his instruction* to Jenks. “S^f any of the staff re- . members ^ding the door locked more recently’ than Mr. Dlwson does.” “OX” Tommy,” Jenks promised. “A^hlng^se’?” - /l^nkin drew out his watch and nOd- xded toward the libratT^ndow and the towering structure visible acyoM the street. “That’s another thing we mustn't overlook,” he said; “the chance that some ^employee in those .' pffioes ob served some suspicious act* over here. See to it the people on this side of the —building are qtiestioj^ early in the morning.” As soon as Jenks departed to carry out his orders, he opened Mra. Keith's pocketbook. Hr. Dawson and the court cleric watched him ea he placed on the library table a gold vanity eaee with the chased initials of B. W. K., lip stick, a key rii^ of five keys, a hand kerchief and a nail file. Another «om- partme|ht held tickets to a charity ball 'and archeckhook which Rankin put aside for future ecrutiny. Beneath what appeared another handkerchief, he found a small bottle of clear, color less liquid. 7^ distinguishing marks of any druggist. Mi\ Simpkins made the first suy- i>rised comftient. “Why, that must be the . . . stuff the criminal smothered her with, Mr. Rankin!’’ he exclaijaMd excitedly. “Why do you suppose he hid H in her purse? Surely that’s a dangerous thing to do.” The detective shrugged. “Why not? He couldn't carry H around and this is as safe a way to get rid of it as any.” Pocketing the cheokhook, he return ed the othOT articles casually to the handbag and addressed Mr. Dawson. “I think I’m rqady now to inquire what the others, besides your force, can tail me of the tragedy,” he an nounced. “I’ll question your partners first.” Neither of them is here, Mr. Ran kin,” the lawyer informed him. “Mr. Locke is in New York on an important case—gone since Monday. Mr. Mac- Quire is playing in a golf tournament this afternoon.” “Then I’ll questfon the Immediate parties to the hearing, an<jr their law yers. One at a time; if you’ll be good enough to have Mr. Trumbull oome in. I’ll start with him,” When summoned, Allen Rowland’s attorney entered the library from Mr. Dawson’s office. Although still under thirty|ftv€, he looked at least five years folder. . After Mr. Dawson introduced him, the detective "began without further preliminaries. “Perhaps I can best make progress with this case, Mr. Trumbull”—he mo tioned him to’ a chair—^“by clearing up what happened here this afternoon before the meeting. But first 4 need information about -Mrs. Keiths You stated at the hearing, I believe, that she is connected with a leading fam ily in the’city?” So she is, Mr. Rankin,” Mr. Trum bull returned. “Mrs. Barbra Keith is the wife of Mortimer Keith and lives in Chestnut Hill at the Aldwich apart- menta.” Obviously impressed, the detective raised his eyebrows and vented a low whistle. Mortimer Keith,” he repeated, “the silk manufacturer?” ‘ , ' Once more, he could plead an off hand familiarity with d name involved in the tragedy. Few indeed, in Phila delphia, had not heard of tfijs Keith family, distinguished historkally and politically since the American Revo lution. Mortimer Keith was the last of his line, molded in the family tra dition, wustere, upright and reserved. When his ancestors’ estate was threat ened by .depletion, his dominating per sonality and enterprise rebuilt both. He wail well into middle age, Rankin vaguelj^ recalled, when he married a beautilul woman much his junior, about four years earlier./ Whi^ver..the previous importance of the^^crime, because of the jaomi- nence .of the divorce action, it paled into insigntficanee before this new revelation. Murder wgk hlways mur der; but the identity of the dead wit ness—no plebian citizen or mere men ial—^gave it additional promise of be ing a genuine “cause celebre.” “Yes^ that’s who she is,” the law yer replied to his query, “Mrs. Morti mer Keith.” ;’v . “Then her husband will have to be tiotified of what’s happened at once. I’ll want to question him about Mrs. Keith as promptly as possible.” He summoned the remaining police- mah froiji the outer room and impart ed directions for coinmunicating with the manufacturer. “Now, Mr. Trumbull,” Rankin con tinued, after the offrcer had gone, ’ “how long before the meeting began today did you arrive with Mrs. Keith?’’ Mr. Trumbull shook his bead. “I didn’t bring her at all, Mr. Rankin; I came here alone and Mr. Rowland im- companied her into town. It was ar ranged that he go for her to her resi dence in Chestnut "Hill, and join me here. I reached here about two-twenty- five;..lhey. ^rove in with Mrs. Keith^i chauffeur in five minutes afterward.” “At half past two, eh ? And at what time did 3rou leave her in that office to wait until you were ready for her testimony?” "About ten minutes later, I should judge,” the other replied. 'Then Mr. Rowland went dosm to the street to dismiss the ehanffeur, who was parked outside the building. She had ordered him to stay. Rowlaiid soggeeted we let him go and use my car to get home.” “Are you certain,” the detective probed, “he really went downstairs to speak to the chauffeur?” The lawyer replied vigorously,^'in tones tliat brooluMi no doubt. “Posi tive, Mr. Raiddn; in fact, I walked intch the hall witii him and saw him take the elevatOT. He was gone only a few minutes, 1^ than five; I was phoning in the outer office wbra be returned.” “Then two-forty was the last time Mr. Rowland and I went into Mr. Daw son’s private office for., the next ten minutes, where we could discuss to day’s . . . strategy without being dis turbed. I can vouch that he never left me the entire time, nor I him.-Then Mr. Dawson arrived and we assembled for the hearing.” ^ _ ThiT detective bent forward, toying with a pencil he took from the tabled “Why was it arranged, Mr. Trum bull, that Mrs. Keith wait apart in there, instead of outside in fifteen-o- seven? Had you. some special reason for thatV* “It was done for privacy and to spare her all possible distress," the lawyer explain^. “She was doing us a service in offering her evidence, but naturally, in her position, she desired no publicity. She even dressed incon spicuously. In the main office, under the eyes of employees and casual vis itors, she would have felt uncomfort able. And she couldn't stay/n the IL brary with Mrs. Rowland and Mr. Wil lard; that would have been even more embarrassing.” “Then they had already arrived be fore you?” I “Yes, r suppose so since they came earlier than I and waited for Mr. Daw son here. In fact, they were here when Mr. Rowland entered fifteen-o-five with Mrs. Keith; he cahie out at once and closed this door between the rooms. So they saW us leave here at two-forty.” Rankin nodded. “Had they any idea “I noticed him in the outsidi^ office, after Allen and I^both arrived,” Mr. Trumbull st«ed. “But I’ve had.no reason to sp^ak/with him. If he didn’t leave'before 1/ . . before the tragedy was discovered, he should still ybe there.^’,. ^ ^ The detective absent-nlindedly drew lines on a sheet of paper. “And who is he. Dir. Trumbull?” “I know little more about him than that his name is Hugh Campbell. He isn’t a Philadelphian; he comes from New ybrk and has some sort of con- nectioh with night clubs. I believe he supplies talent and produced enter tainment for them.” ~ H>d he been watching Rankin care fully, he might have observed that he gave'an abrupt start. “Hugh Campbell?” Abruptly he changed the subject. “With regard to Mr. Willard and his sister^” he queried, “as far as you’re aware, did either of them enter fifteen-o-five before the meeting, if only for a minute?” Mr. 'IVumbujj pondered. “Not while Mr. Rowland and I remained with Mrs. Keith, I’m certain. Of course, I can’t say what happened after we left the library and Allen went below. As I recall, Mrs. Rowland preceded us into the main office and talked briefly to Mr. Campbell. Then she returned to this room for about two minutes, 1 suppose to rejoin her brother. And while I was phoning my own office out there^ she came out again and rather hurriendly left the suit altogether, by the center d^r.” “She went into the corridor? Have you ,any idea how long" she stayed awky?” I “More than five minutes, certainly —closer, |)erhaps, to eight,” the law yer replied slowly. “Mr. Rowland had rejoined me over thrw minutes before she came back. Then she spoke tq Mr. Campbell again and re-entered the li- ^•ary. Mr. Willard etayed in here throughout and-dld not come, out.” Rankjn pushed back his seat as a •signal to conclude the interview. “Thank you, Mr. Trumbull, that will “Yes, I called for her at the Al^- wich a^Hirtments at two e’clock,” len Rowland answered. “We drove to town in her car, with Mr. Keith's chauffeur;' the,trip took us about half an hour.” / “Did Mrs. Keith ever say anything, either then or before, to suggest ’ she anticipated any dang^ to her^f ? Or that she had reason to«‘fear "kome one?”- ^ “No, I had no warning anything so terrible might happen. Naturally, she was a bit anxious about the hearing; but otherwise she seemed perfectly normal.” , ‘ a “And after you arrived,” Rankin queried casually, “ did you remain woman drew hersalf to hsr full hsiglX “That is none of your affkir, Ran kin,” she replied scornfully, her mootli curled. “I don’t care ttS discuss my TOnnection with Mr. Campbell whi^ is , wholly privfiie and has nothing to ith M with her the e ing started j|i Mr. Rowla: that of the Ir bull and I bot: office next d utesT She wam ferred not to ire time until the hear- three o’clock?” ’h answer accorded with er. “Oh, no. Mr. Trum- left hCr in that empty r,yafter,about ten min- to be alone and pfe- wait outside. Then I went below to dismiss her chauffeur, since Mr. Trumbull had consented to escort her home in his car; I didn't return to her again.” Rankin wps satisfied at this check, through Rowland, Of Mr. Trumbull’s account and movements. “I think that covers the points I’m interested in at present,” he said. He turned to Mr. Simpkins: “Be good enough to request Mrs. Rowland to come in.” '' . With 'a-nod, .the court clerk ro^e to do/his biddii^ lAdele Rowland fol lowed him from Mr. Dawson’s cham ber. She was a’ large woman, in both body and features, yet perfectly pro portioned; and, without being beauti ful, was extremely handsome and striking. Willful and dominating, Ran kin clearly perceived she was accus tomed to command. I only wished to ask:, Mrs. Rowland, in advance that it Was she who would be Mr. Rowland’s leading witness against them? That is, before she ar rived today? Was her-name mention ed, for instance, in your written de fense?” Mr. Trumbull’s forehead wrinkled in a frown of uncertainty and reflec tion. “No, the answer I filed was purely formill and withheld all the essential details. And considering the^ nature of Mr*. Keith’s evidence, I pbn’t believe his wife was a position to learn her identity/’ / / / “If you don’t minp; Mr. Trumbdll,” said the detective/“I’d first like to straighten out u^t occurred this af ternoon..! understand you also sum moned Mrs. Rowland’s . , . companion be all, now,” he dismissed him. “Will dth whom you claim she —the man is involv! “Chiefip because the law requires he rec^ve due'notice of the libel, to he nM^y be represented if he desires to defend Jiimself. I don’t need his evi- d^ce and hardly intended to call on him. Naturally, he’d be a hostile, dif ficult wittieee; he’d never wiNingly confirm Mra. Keith’s story and admit an illicit affair with my client’s wife.” “Is she here? Did he answer the summons or disregard it?” Rankin asked. you please ask Mr. Rowland to come; in next?” _ A brief .space after Mr. Trumbull departed, his client dropped into the chair he had vacated. A bronzed giant, still under thirty, Allen Rowland had the broad shoulders and stalwart phy sique of an athlete. He had silky and blond curly hair, a broad nose and full lips, which with a twist might easily relapse into sullenness. Attractive though his virility was, thick hands and a heavy neck betrayed a natural crudeness and uncouthness. He was fully cognizant of his pleasant appeur- ance. He carried himself with perfect ease, yet Rankin sensed that his poise was acquired. He-was not “to the man ner born.” Mr. Daw.4bn introduced then!; and appreciating the gravity of the^^ituation, he acknowledged the de tective’s greeting somberly. Then, his face pale and anxious, hife lighted a if you entered the office where Mrs. do witb Mra. Keith’s unhappy deirth.** Rankin nodded, unabashed. “A# you wish, of course,” he agreed, unpleaa- antly amiable. “Then I may as well have Mr. Campbell in next and ques tion; perhaps he will be jess reticent.’' He observed a sudden flash of alarm and fury illumine her eye*. ITiey hard ened and she had to bite her lip to re strain a resentful retort, as Rankia stepped to the office entrance, still smiling provocatively. ' “Jenks!” he called,^ and i^hen tha detective approached, he saidi/’I think there is a Mr. Hukh Campbell waiting out there; ask him to join us, please^’* For a moment, his assistant’s fsa- ture’s puckered in a puzzled rsfleetiTa frown. I “Hugh Campb^l?” he repeated, “There’s no one ...” Abruptly, hi* eyes lighted. “Oh, yes, the jriione cleric "did say a Mr. Campbefl lurived for the hearing just around two-forty. But he isn’t here any more. A few minutes before three he got a phone call; ha left the jbint right away and hasn’t come back.” Tommy Rankin was more than or dinarily interested in Hugh CampbelL For he was a power to be reckoned with in the bootlegging business, com manding 'an organization to import liquor from Canada .to a chain of road houses and “joints” in Conhecticut and Long Island. Though he had never met him, Rankin knew he was no gangster; on the contrary, urbane, shrewd and well-bred, he traveled in good society, a picturesque and somewhat mysteri ous individual. He had influence in political circles and never, personally perticlpated in the aggressive activi- Keith met her death, after Mr. Trum bull and your husband left her there?” a.sked Rankin. ^ Taken unawares, at the abrupt query, as though to gain time to re cover her poise, she repeated it slowly. “Did I enter that room? No, I never went near Mrs. Keith; they had closed this jioor between, and I stayed in here with my brother, waiting for Mr. Daw son.” I “How about the outside door in the corridor, when you quit the suite alto gether? That was unlocked;^why did you go out?” ~ Mrs. Rowland caught her breath nervously. “I went below to the stand in the lobby to purcha^ ... a newspa per,” he answered. ' “That was the only place you went?” the detective asked incredu lously. “That little errand took you the eight minutes or more you were gone?” “No ... on the way back, I stopped in the lady’s retiring room on this floor.” ' /. Though the reply came too glibly to be convincing, Rankin appreciated her ties of his agents. But it was his au- cigarette, and waited for the first .self-po.ssession in producing an ex question. Icuse he could neither investigate nor Ranl|lin opened sympathetically. “I disprove. realize this is a most regrettable af fair to you, Mr. Rowland. But I must ask you to bear with a few inquiries, mainly" about Mrs. Keith’s movements this afternoon. You accompanied her to the meeting, didn’t you?” ■ “I believe you are acquainted with Mr. Hugh Cam]>l)ell. Before you left these offices you s^ke to him and then returned'to tlw-dibrary. Could you toll me what yoi| talked about?” Haughtily and disdainfully, the dacity and ambitious management that developed an effective and prof itable smuggling ring, controlled the racketeers in his employ, arranged for the acceptance of his wares and paid the necessary protection. Then this was the man Adele Row land had chbsen; her hu.sband claimed, to be her lover. If she. contemplated * fresji .marital venture, lier new choice, the detective reflected in grim amuse ment, was certainly more romantic and exciting than either the late Tom Mar shall or her present incubus. He received quietly enough Jenk’s announcement of Campbell's depart ure. 1‘^id he leave any message to ex plain,” he inquired, “or indicate whera he was going?” “No, he didn’t,” Jenks replied. ‘^All I learned is that some chap rang tha office and inquired for him; and the phone clerk summoned him to her desk, where there was a connected in strument, to take a call.” * Rankin’s interest quickened. “At her desk? Then she might have caught some of the conversation.” “Yes, .she could hardly help hearinjr several things this Campbell said, he sjioke so loudly and . , . well, violent ly. FTrst he shouted, ‘What?’ and then, very much alarmed, “Oh, my God!' Next he cried, 'You fool!' and said he'd join him; he hung up, greatly up set, and hurried out without a word.” (Continued Next Week). ^ IN PSRFOBMXNCE’ ... THE BOTTOM iNraicE inti, pungent* odor rerealad ita con tents be chlorofonn* The cloth wuf nctually a thick cottm pad, still damp from its aatnratioii with the dn^. The Ix^e, larve enough for 4 oune^ was half empty. It lacked a label and the Even before he uncorked it, a-tredc^elther of you saw her alive?” Rankin Adnr revealed its con- ev«d him searchingly. “You didn’t en- eyed him searchingly, ter fifteen-o-five again, through eith er this library or the door from the hall, whikL_^u were out them?” “Not until I found her dead,” he re turned. “We left her completely alone. m. end we’ve forgotten whet repeir Mh look likol** When TOO look it Terrtpboe'f pmgrt, fwoepiiil linei—ooofidor the extra, size aod roomhictt of •\- e — ' TerrapUne bodiea->iet the thrilling imoothneaa of • 'it is bard to belieTe that T^rraplaiie perionnaBce—it diis car witA tk$ lowest, 'ou can qiuckly prove that Terrapkne ^vea yoo " pertohnuice. At any green light! On any Over any stretch of roKlI And 36 official DilOY A RIDI TODAY . . . AND ASK THI MARIST DIALER TO EXPLAIN THI CONVENIENT HUDSON PMANCINO PLANI You •‘tJp” hMC A.A. A. reoorddlor speed* aoceleratioo, hill dimbing give you edded proof. There are many odier a^^yantaget you won’t find in uay odier lowMt prioe car. Bodies all of st^ell Polic^tested Hudson brskest Amazing economy^ proved in nation-wide tests. The cool comfort of all-year ventilatkMi, lor summer driving. J. K. HATTON CLINTON, 9. €. LAURENS COUNTY’S OLDEST DEALER i' ■ ( : ..1 \ 'X f -