The Wakefield News from Wakefield, Michigan • Page 4

PAGE FOUR THE WAKEFIELD NEWS, WAKEFIELD, MICHIGAN Saturday, June 17, 1933 MAY DAY MYSTERY" (Jctavas Rotj CoKero (Continued from CHAPTER XI SasYGy gazsd s.t the gray walls of the jail and nodded as though having reached a startling conclusion. "I believe our nest move, John, Is to have a talky-talk with Mister Maxwell Vernon. "Good Lord Has it taken you all this time to think of that?" "TJh-huh. -My brain was never strong on speed." Reagan was earnest. "Quit kiddin'.

Jim. Why did you leave this palooka for the last?" "Because I wanted to hear what everybody else bad to say. From what you tell me. Vernon is lying high, wide and handsome, arid 1 wanted to form sorue Idea about what was truth and what wasn't." "Sensible enough. Let's go." Back into the brilliance of the warden's office, and thence down the dimly lighted corridor on which were the rooms used for those prisoners who seemed entitled to something better than the ordinary cells.

The turnkey admitted them to a room Identical with the ones occupied by Tony Peyton and Larry Welch. They stood In the doorway and Hanvey regarded the occupant through sleepy, half- closed eyes. Vernon was seated on his cot. He had doffed coat and tie, and his shirt was open at the throat. His long black hair was somewhat tousled and his chubby face wore an expression of belligerence.

Ris whole manner -even before a word was spoken was combative. Jim seated himself and smiled lazily at the prisoner. He felt rather sorry for the boy, fat, good-natured, easygoing. and now suddenly enmeshed in a tragedy which he couldn't quite understand. Jim's voice came soothingly.

"Things been happening pretty fast, ain't they. Son?" Vernon looked up sharply. "What things?" "Oh. plenty." "I don't know what you mean." "Shun! Sure you do." Max rose and tried to look dignified. He succeeded only In appearing somewhat ludicrous and entirely pitiful.

"I haven't anything to say. Mr. Hanvey." "Well, what do you know about that? I haven't asked you anything, have "No, but "Listen to me, Son: answer me one question." "What is It?" "Did you kill Pat Thayer?" Vernon's eyes closed. He pulled pretty sore at Now ask "you this: Why?" "I had reason enough. I thought he my friend.

I've been buddies with him for two years. He's beeu 'Like H--I You Are I You're Trying to Me Up in Pat Thayer's Murder." winning all my money at cards. guess I woxild have been a dumbbell all my life if hadn't got sore at i him over something else." "Stealing your girl, for Instance?" Max looked up sharply, and became boyishly dignified. "I--I'd really rather not talk about that angle of it, Mr. Hanvey." he said gently.

"As you say, But when this other thing happened--you getting sore--what then?" thing want to" knowf Row did" It happen that there wasn't any floor rug In the car you traded when you got to Steel City?" 1 Again that hunted, haunted light In "1 don't know anything about any floor rug." "Wasn't there one In your old car?" i "I don't know." "Gee! You sure are a forgetful guy. i Now what about that knife Mr. Rea: gan showed you an hour or so ago? That Is yours, Isn't It?" i "Yes." "Where did you get if?" "In Sicily. I've traveled a lot anu I've always collected queer weapons." i "Did you have it in- your hand at all day before yesterday?" "No." "Do you know it Is the very knife I with which Thayer was killed?" i "I know that's what Mr. Reagan i said." i "You knew.it wasn't on your wall I where you always kept it.

didn't you?" "No! How was I to notice that one of the things was gone? Aria I didn't kill Pat Thayer, Mr. Hanvey. I swear I didn't" Hanvey spoke softly. "Admitting that, Vernpn: Why did you get mixed i up in the robbery of the Marland Naj tional bank?" I Mas stood rigid for a moment, then 1 sank down on the cot. He burled his face in his hands.

"I didn't have thing to do with that, either, Mr. Hanvey: honest I didn't" The two detectives faced each other 1 solemnly in the warden's office. "Will you tell me why," Reagan you had Vernon on the run, you didn't chase him? You knew i i he was lying, didn't you?" "Sure, John--sure. And the more questions I asked the more lies he was i gonna tell." "Well, I'll say this for you, Jim Hanvey: You seem to rock along with all the delicacy of an elephant-but d--d if you haven't learned a heap about this case." "What, for instance?" Inquired Hanvey interestedly. "In the first place, it's a cinch that Max Vernon killed Pat Thayer." "You think so?" "Sure.

Don't you?" "Durned if I know, John. I couldn't say for sure, anyway. There's still a lot of loose ends." "There always are on a case like this," snapped Reagan. "Whenever a big crime happens we run out and grab all the facts we can. They all look Important because we don't know Sank corner Just about two" o'clock.

dignitary and Dean BbyI They During the robbery the stick-up man la cussed the case gravely and told Larry shot. While Max Is driving him he i a great many things about Max Ver- bleeds all over the back of the car, non which he had not known. They so Vernon gets rid of his bloody suit themselves did not know many de- and the floor rug. Then he takes his tails, but the campus was overflowing share of the hundred thousand berries that they've copped from the bank. "He trades in his old car and Is with ruuior.

Larry doubtful. "It doesn't seem possible that Max would do a thing like that." "And it didn't seem possible that fool enough to think he's got a good you or Miss Peyton would, either. We alibi. But a couple of minutes after have been mighty worried." he sets foot In his room at the frater- "You've been darn white to me. I nlty house, the man on duty grabs Intend to resign--sn the college won't him and calls me.

Ain't that a good suffer." The two older men smiled. "We're sorry for the scandal, of course. Larry. But we can't accept case, Jim?" The big man nodded slow approval. "Dura near perfect" he applauded.

"Only, how come Thayer was alive your resignation for two reasons when Larry Welch got there at two i One ls tnat we believe you are fnno o'clock?" snapped Reagan. cent The second is that it wouldn't "He i help you particularly--if you ever wasn't Thayer was dead then. But came to trial--if we had acknowledged Larry knew Tony had been there and our lack of confidence by permitting he didn't know anything about Max you to i eave the faculty Vernon. So he thinks Tony Peyton Later that day Ijarry and met killed Thayer and shields her. Cinch, by Old Main and wa iked toward Pine ain't it?" "It seems so.

ivy had given Fat top a knoll which rose above And the ring surrounding country and from UpOG the "Larry Welch took It Didn't want Marland campus, and thence still far- I his sister mixed up In the mess. Don't th er to the spra wllng town of you see how clear everything is? I'm lanfl Half the student body saw them sorry for Max Vernon. of course, together and every young man and 1 There ain't anything bad about the woman ma( je a point of wavin kid. Just weak." dlally, but no one joined them. cor- The Hanvey was silent for a moment, students were more than a little em- then looked up brightly.

"What'd you barrassed. They wanted the pair to do with all the stuff Vernon had in his pockets when he was arrested?" "Right here. Want to see It?" "Yen. know that there was every belief In their innocence, every sympathy, every willingness to do whatever was necessary by way of help but there Five minutes later Reagan returned was a natural hesitancy In Intruding to the room. He spread out on the on thelr prlva cy.

The tragedy had table the contents or Vernon's pockets: cast a sort a handkerchief, a fountain pen, a note- them ghastly mantle about book, several visiting cards, a frater- They reacne a ine top and stood re- nlty pin, a bunch of keys, less than gar ding each other: the man tall and two dollars in silver, a packet of clga- blond very boyish-looking despite the tiny lines of worry about his eyes; the girl vlvldlv beautiful. Their "This all, John? wallet?" "Yeh." Reagan flushed. "It's in a-. tnei joy at being with each other special box In the warden's safe. aga i It was Tonv wno gp 0 Nothing in it but some money." You know how feelt Larry abont "How much?" what you "Two hundred and ten dollars.

Fll He row ned. "What did 1 do?" get It--" rettes and a box of matches. Hanvey fumbled with the collection. Didn't he have a hands were clasped and they drank deep of the wine of freedom and of "Never mind." Jim was holding the bunch of keys In his hand. "Doesn't this look like a new key, John?" Reagan nodded.

"Sure does." "Telling those detectives that Pat was alive when you left his room. Of course I know he wasn't" Larry'e cheeks blanched. "How do you know? 11 "I know now, Larry. That's all I "Bank box, F1I bet," observed Han- wanted: To trick an admission from which from what. But after we look "I started thinking--for the first into it we see that some of the things time.

And began to suspect that we thought were important reaiiy It wasn't all just accident that Thayer don't mean anything--and so we for- had been nice to me so long as I had ge 'em. That's the way In this case: money; but the minute I went broke we've got Max Vernon dead to rights. he lost Interest In me and started go- i ing with that is, doing things i to make me sore. Ann it struck me that It was queer he had always won at cards. Oh! I was stupid enough, but I waked up ail at once." "And you got about as mad as you ever were in your life.

You went to Thayer's room in the fraternity house--" "I did not! I told you before I never went near his room." "So you did. I thought maybe you'd remembered that you were mistaken. Anyway, you were In the house at the same time he was. awhile you left there hurriedly with a bundle under your arm. didn't you? What was In that bundle, Vernon?" Max was nervous; his pudgy hands were twisted together and his eyes himself together with a visible effort.

roved helplessly -around the little room. "A--a suit of clothes. The one I "No." "Then I think you better talk to me plain and honest. Of course. If you did kill i the best thing you can do is keep your shut.

Now say you?" said I changed. 1 was taking It to the Marland Tailoring company for alteration and cleaning." "Good. Now we're clearing up parts of the mystery." Jim turned to Rea- "JNotftsiig. I'm not gftins to talk." gan. "Suppose you check up on that, "A 1 right I ain't gonna argue with John.

Just 'phone that company and you." He reached inevitably for the make sure ihey have the suit, will golden toothpick. "Swell new car you Vernon was stonily silent. I "Swell car." repented Hanvey. "Sure I conld own one like that But I wouldn't go buy one just after Td had a row with another man." i "I didn't row i anybody." "No? Not even Pat Thayer?" Mas was trembling. Boyishly, he was struggling to keep actual tears from his eyes.

"You're trying to trap me! I know! And I'm not going to say anything. Not anything at all!" "That's up to you. Son. But sup- pose you tell me this: What hap- i pened between you and Thayer In the fraternity house day before yesterday somewhere about one o'clock In the afternoon?" i "In the fraternity house? Nothing i happened," "You went to his room, didn't you?" "No." Son! You know dog-gone good and well you went to Pat Thayer's room. Now why don't you tell us what happened?" "I didn't go near his room," cried Vernon harshly.

"1 went to my own room and changed my clothes and then I left the house. I never saw Thayer for a moment all the tirno I was in there." Jim shook bis big head. "1 hate to i eee you lighting me. Son, when Pm trying to help--" "Like h--) you are! You're trying to mix me up in Pat Thayer's murder." i "Pm trying to get the truth. Does that mix you up?" "No, but--" I 'JiiSt before you went to the fra- ternity house, you and Thayer had i a big row on the campus, didn't you?" "Who says so?" "Several people.

And mucii i suit, you?" "Sure." Reagan started to rise, but Max Vernon stopped him. The boy's eyes were round with fear and beads of perspiration stood out on his forehead. "Never mind," he said, hoarsely. "The clothes are not there." "You didn't take them?" "Where are they?" "I--I don't know. guess I--I-lost them." "You sure are an unfortunate young man." murmured Jim.

"Losing a good suit of clothes that way. Well, anyway, after losing that suit. you.drove on up to Steel City, didn't you?" Vernon hesitated. Then he nodded. "Yes." "Alone?" Max's cheeks were pasty.

"Yes. Alone." "And when you got there you traded in your ear on a new one, didn't you? And paid the difference of twelve hundred dollars In cash. Where did yon get the money?" "I have plenty of money." "But you just said a minute ago that Thayer laid off you because you were broke. How could you he broke and also have plenty of money?" "I had St. I got It from Thayer.

He owed It to me," "I see." Jim beamed approval. "That clears up another mystery. You and Thayer were really friends, after all. He loaned you the twelve hundred dollars Just like It was nothing eh?" "He gave It to me. He owed It" "When did he give It to yon, Vernon? When you went to his room?" told you I didn't go to his room." "I see.

I guess he sent It to you by also there special messenger or something. Never JLPU vms that, though, Bui tkere Is. one Any jury would convict him." Jim nodded heavily. "They certainly would. That's what makes It so tough on the kid--provided he's inno-.

cent," Reagan changed his tactics. He pointed an accusing finger at Hanvey. "Anyway, Jim--you think he was mixed up In that bank robbery, don't you?" The fat man reflected for a moment, then nodded. "Yeh--I do." "And that," exulted Reagan, "Is the first definite admission I've gotten out of you yet." Jim smiled. "I am dumb, ain't John? Suppose you tell me just how you think this murder happened.

Just sketch things over, will you, so they'll take their proper places In my mind." "Good enough." Reagan whipped out his notebook and consulted It. "May first; eleven-thirty: Tony Peyton runs across her husband making love to the kid sister of the man she's crazy about. Big row. Thayer sore and Tony desperate. Fifteen minutes later, after she's gone.

Ivy Welch and Pat Thayer meet Max Vernon. Thayer has been trimming Vernon for two years and the kid has just got good and wise because Thayer went too far when he copped Max's girl. Another quarrel. While that Is happening, Tony Peyton is warning Larry Welch that his sister Is In trouble, and telling him why. "At half-past twelve Pat Thayer gets to the fraternity house and goes to his room.

Five minutes later Max Vernon comes In. He's sore as a goat and when the two kids on the veranda tell him Thayer's In his room, he says he don't give a d--n. And maybe he didn't then, Jim--but don't forget that be had found out where Thayer was. and he had just quarreled with the man over a girl. "Vernon goes to his room.

He has been broke and worried. Some way-Lord knows how--he's entered into a deal with somebody to rob the Marland National bank. He's nervous and desperate. He decides to go and have It out with Thayer right there. Thayer a bigger man and stronger, and so Vernon grabs that stiletto off the wall to have it handy in case trouble comes.

"Meanwhile Tony Peyton has come In to warn Pat he must lay off Ivy Welch. I believe every word of her story of the visit She beats it, and right after she does, Vernon goes Into Thayer's room and talks cold turkey to Thayer. Thayer probably starts the fight. Vernon takes a wild swipe at him and the knife cuts his jugular vein. Vernon's cock-eyed scared.

He beats It back to his room and pitches the knife Into the corner of his clothes closet Then he changes his clothes because the suit he had on when he killed Thayer was all covered with blood--which is why he never went to that tailor at all, "Then he beats It to take part In that bank fifc gets 'to, the vey, as though talking to himself. "Uh-huh, new bank box key, When's the next train "for Steel City?" Reagan consulted his watch. "Midnight" "I wonder If you'd run up there tomorrow alone?" you. It was fine of you, dear. But we must go to Mr, Hanvey and tell him the truth.

That Pat was already dead when you reached his room." "But i didn't say--" "Oh, yes you did. Larry. Just a second ago. Now listen to me: I don't "Sure I will. I can be back tomor- i know what you think about him but row evening.

What's the big idea?" believe that terrible-looking Mr. Han- Jim detached the key from the ring, ls one of the most wonderful men "Take this with you. John. Tve got a nave ever met He can tel1 when hunch that Max Vernon rented a box i we re telUn trutn and he at some big Steel City bank. Take i when we re I told him the truth, some samples of his handwriting wltn dear--even when It looked like I was you, because he'd use an assumed ntenin a noose around your neck, name, of course.

You can check up waa scared--and yet I wasn't scared, on all boxes rented In the last couple Evfi rything I said seemed to Increase of days--then compare the handwrit- your dan er Mr Hanvey looked like i ne he had gone to sleep. Then the next thing we knew we were released on bond. Mr. Hanvey knows a lot. And her close, staring hungrily" Into her eyes.

Then, suddenly, he burled his face in her hair and so they stood for an age of rime. Ail that afternoon the campus bummed with crazy rumor and wild conjecture. It was one thing to read in the newspapers of a murder H.UU quite another to come In contact with one. The students were Impressed by their own Importance In having known intimately the dead man and the three suspects. Then there was a feeling of depression, as though the college had been sullied.

And the Pal Tau Theta boys went around with chips on their shoulders although nobody dared utter a word of criticism. The tragedy had cast a pall over the campus; yet it had brought a new and strange excitement. Even commencement which at this season of the year usually loomed up as being all-Important, seemed a matter of little moment Examinations held terrors for very few of the students. It was as though they had b.een confronted by some of the starkness of life a month ahead of time. Human life, human iove eraisinatlciis and bachelors' degrees seemed of smail moment by comparison.

The afternoon dragged away. Larry worked over his class books, trying to rid himself of the effects of the experience and wondering what the future had In store for Tony, for himself, and for Max Vernon. Aad In his room at the hotel, Jim Hanvey sprawled on the bed and devoured a detective story. It was there that John Reagan found him. Jim put the book aside reluctantly.

"Gosh." he commented, "it's great-that story. Just as soon as I got Interested In something like this, you have to come butting In. What Is It?" Reagan spoke crisply. "On the morning of May second a man answering Mas Vernon's description--and there ain't any doubt, Jim, that It was Vernon--entered the American National bank of Steel City and rented a box. He gave the name of William T.

Aragon. He took the box with him into a little booth. Then he left the bank. The box Is number two thirty- five, and unless Fm all wrong you'll find a lot of Brother Flake's lost money right there." "Good work, John. You didn't look In the box?" "No.

You said not to. But I left word that no one was to be allowed. In there, even with a written order from Aragon. That's fixed good and tight And so--" The telephone buzzed and answered. "This Is the warden at the JalL" announced the voice at the other cud.

"Miss Peyton and Mr. Welch are dowa here. They want to see you as soon as possible." "Send 'cm over to the hotel, will you?" Then he turned away from the telephone and grinned boyishly at hla friend. "Welch and Miss Peyton are on their way over, John. Stick around you want I have a hunch we're go- Ing to hear some Interesting dope.

1 I "And If I find the box shall I take a look Inside?" "Nb-o. We'll Just take It for granted that If he rented a box there the Marland bank money Is in It--or, anyway, Vernon's share. What say?" Reagan rose. "I'm on my way. Chief." At the door he turned.

"And If we do find that Jim--and it turns out to be Vernon whn had It-will yon admit then that I was right?" Jim smiled broadly. "Maybe." he said. Til sure think you were pretty i near right, anyway." CHAPTER XII Warm brilliant sunshine bathed the courtyard when Tony Peyton and Larry Welch walked out on bond to temporary freedom. There was Ivy Welch, seeming a great deal older than she had four days previously, yet Irrepressibly youthful withal: and a score of Larry's undergraduate friends, young men and women who had come on what every one considered the end of their jeopardy. Ivy was particularly happy.

"They wouldn't have let you out If they thought you were guilty, would they, Larry?" He shook his head. "I don't believe so. Sis." "Goodl" She clasped her hands. "All the time you were In there, Bud. I eoulun't think of anything except-except--" He squeezed her hand.

"Don't you worry, Kid. I didn't have anything to do with It" Tony was with a group of her par- I Ocular friends and Larry nodded toward her. "Why don't you and she make up, Sis?" Ivy's face grew stern. "I don't like her. Larry." "Because she started all this.

If I she butted In on Pat and me; If she hadn't run to you; If she hadnt been such a fool as to go to Pat's room at the fraternity house. Oh! can't you see, Larry, that I can't help believing Pat never would luave been I killed If she had minded her own i business?" "I'm sorry you feel that way, Sis. i You know Tm crazy about her." i Ivy sighed. "I guess I'm Just a i crab. Bud.

But If ,1 feel that way-i well, I can't help it. can Then 1 she reached out impulsively and pressed his fingers. "Maybe I'll get i over It" Several automobiles were waiting, and at the request of the president, Larrj: rode to the college with that If he'a going to help us, we must helo Mm." i I He nodded slowly, "1 guess you're right" His face was very serious. "It's kind of tough on Max Vernon, Isn't It?" "I'm sorry for that boy. Terribly sorry.

And yet if killing is ever justified. It was then. We have no right, Larry, to keep the truth from a man like Mr. Hanvey. who is struggling to help us." "We'll tell him." They stood in silence for several minutes.

Overhead a mocking bird trilled gayly; the pine trees swayed softly In the warm breeze which swept In from the countryside. The air was freighted with the fragrance of flowers and on Pine top there was no suggestion of anything but Ineffable peace and happiness. It was so different from the solitary confinement at the Marland jail; so gloriously a relief from the staring at four blank walls and a tiny square of barred window. They were very young and very much "When AH It Over, Tony, You i Marry Me?" In love with each other, and Larry moved so close to her that their bodies touched. "When all this Is over, Tony, you will marry me?" She looked straight Into his eyes.

"Yes, Larry." like to put Into words to be able to tell you how much I love you. "You dont need to. I understand. 1 His arms closed, about her and fc (Continued next week) Columnist Requires No Special Place for "Hia" Where a few more or less well- known Pittsburghers carry the bankroll (names withheld for the sake of their dependents): A pronilnentrmusi- eian carries his in an old-fashioned snap purse, which he always opens at arms' length to let the moths escape I The town's most colorful gambler packs his, which Is big enough to require a rubber band, loose In a trousers pocket. Another has built-in pockets along the belt band of his jeans and In his vest, which hold a "last stake" in case of emergency.

A political figure of the Hill district is said to start the day with $10 in quarters loose In a coat pocket. By evening he has dispensed them all to impecunious followers who park on his trail. An ex-pugilist carries hla "paper" In a shoe. The greenbacks of a movie organist may be found Inside his right sock, just below the garter. that's all right.

Don't mention It.) And a certain columnist carries his roll loose In a pants pocket. He likes to hear It and his keys Post Gazette. Fatness a Requisite for Business Success? I have heard of many secrets of success and have tried quite a share of them to no avail, but until recently I remained innocent of the fact that an inability to get fat may keep a good' man down. Then a handsome young man of lithe and supple figure confessed to me his great desire to add 50 or 100 pounds to his weight as a stepping stone to commercial advancement. "In my business." he complained, "all of the bosses are fat fellows.

They look at me and I can see them saying to themselves: 'He's too thin to be much I am, as a matter of fact, very good indeed, far better than my bosses realize, but I'll never have an even chance nntll. I acquire more Sun. Grocer--Now that you have got hold of some money, I expect you will pay my bill? Customer--Let me see! Your name is Zimmerman. Sorry, but I'm paying all my creditors in alphabetical order. I shall reach your name in uue time.

Wise is the man who doesn't take a chance on a chance acquaintance..