anaheim-gazette 1931-11-12

Anaheim, Calif., Nov. 12, 1931 SIGHT UNSEEN by MARY ROBERTS RINEHART COPYRIGHT 1931 BY MARY ROBERTS RINEHART FIFTH INSTALLMENT SYNOPSIS Six people, Horace Johnson (who tells the story), his wife, old Mrs. Dane, Herbert Robinson and his sister, Alice, and Dr. Sperry, friends and neighbors are in the habit of holding weekly meetings. At one of them, Mrs. Dane, who is hostess, varies the program by unexpectedly arranging a spiritualistic seance with Miss Jeremy, a friend of Dr. Sperry and not a professional, as the medium. At the first sitting the medium tells the details of a murder as it is occurring. Later that night Sperry learns that a neighbor, Arthur Wells, has been shot mysteriously. With Johnson he goes to the Wells residence and they find confirmation of the medium's account. Mrs. Wells tells them her husband shot himself in a fit of depression. The French maid admits she was out at the time Wells was shot, telephoning from a nearby drug store. Johnson goes to the drug store where the clerk tells him the maid phoned to the Ellingham house, telling somebody there not "to call that night." Johnson goes alone and investigates the deserted house. He is frightened by strange noises, as of an intruder in the house, but completes his investigation. Now Go On With The Story I know, as it happens, very little of firearms, but I did realize that a shot from a .45 Colt automatic would have considerable penetrative power. To be exact, that the bullet had probably either lodged itself in a joist, or had penetrated through the flooring and might be somewhere over my head. burglariously entered a closed house, commit some indiscretion—innocent, of course, such as going out without my overcoat on a cool day—and she intends to be on hand for every emergency. I dared not confess, therefore, that on the previous evening I had had there surprised another intruder at work, had fallen and bumped my head severely, and had, finally, had my overcoat taken. "Horace," she said coldly, where did you get those fire-tongs? "Fire-tongs?" I repeated. "Why that's so. They are fire-tongs." "I am not a curious woman," she put in inclusively, "but when my husband spends an evening out, and returns minus his overcoat, with his hat mashed, a lump the size of an egg over his ear, and puts a pair of fire-tongs in the umbrella stand under the impression that it is an umbrella. I have a right to ask at least if he intends to continue his life of dehauchery." I made a mistake. I should have told her. Instead I took my broken hat and jammed it on my head with a force that made the lump she had noticed jump like a toothache, and went out. When, at noon and luncheon, I tried to tell her the truth, she listened to the end: Then: "I should think you could have done better than that." she said. "You have had all morning to think it out." estle happings was at stake is a difficult person to argue. She is just as tenacious opinion once formed as itately for our investigation; for me, under the cliff Sperry was called to another afternoon and did not retreydays. It was, it will be recalled Thursday night following sitting that I had gone ally Wells house, and my into Sperry was on Friday. I Friday afternoon that I received me to take tea with her. "At what time?" I asked tary. "At four o'clock." I hesitated. I felt that my waiting at home for furtionation of the coal-tongs, as sooner we had it out the other hand, Mrs. vitations by reason of her took on something of the commands. "Please say that I will b four," I replied. I bought a new hat that and told the clerk to desist one. Then I went to Mrs. She was in the drawing-r excited. Never have I known who, confined to a wheel so hard. She did not allow her windows, if I may put Johnson goes alone and investigates the deserted house. He is frightened by strange noises, as of an intruder in the house, but completes his investigation. Now Go On With The Story I know, as it happens, very little of firearms, but I did realize that a shot from a 45 Colt automatic would have considerable penetrative power. To be exact, that the bullet had probably either lodged itself in a joist, or had penetrated through the flooring and might be somewhere over my head. But my candle was inadequate for more than the most superficial examination of the ceiling, which presented so far as I could see an unbroken surface. I turned my attention, therefore, to the floor. It was when I was turning the rug back that I recognized the origin of the sound which had so startled me. It had been the soft movement of the carpet across the floor boards. Some one, then, had been there before me—some one who knew what I knew, had reasoned as I reasoned. Some one who, in all probability, still Jurked on the upper floor. Obeying an impulse, I stood erect and called out sharply, "Sperry!" I said. "Sperry!" There was no answer. I tried again, calling Herbert. But only my own voice came back to me, and the whistling of the wind through the windows I had opened. My fears, never long in abeyance that night, roused again. I had instantly a conviction that some human figure, simister and dangerous, was urking in the shadows of the empty floor, and I remember backing away from the door and standing in the center of the room, prepared for some stealthy, murederous assault. When none came I looked about for a weapon, and finally took the only thing in sight, coal-tongs from the fireplace. Armed with that, I made a cursory round of the near-by rooms but there was no one hiding in them. I went back to the rug and examined the floor beneath it. I was right. Some one had been there before me. Bits of splintered wood lay about. The second bullet had been fired, had buried itself in the floor, and had, some five minutes before been dug out. The extraordinary thing about the Arthur Wells story was not his killing. For killing it was. It was the way it was solved. The solution, when it came, was amazing, but remarkably simple. Like most mysteries. I have in my own house, for instance, an example of a great mystery, founded on mere absentmindedness. This is what my wife terms the mystery of the fire-tongs. I had left the Wells house as soon as I had made the discovery in the night nursery. I carried the candle and the fire-tongs downstairs. I was apparently, calm but watchful. I would However, if things were in a state of armed neutrality at home, I had a certain compensation for them when I told my story to Sperry that afternoon. "You see how it is," I finished. "You can stay out of this, or come in. Sperry, but I cannot stop now. He was murdered beyond a doubt, and there is an intelligent effort being made to eliminate every particle of evidence." He nodded. "It looks like it. And this man who was there last night——" "Why a man?" "He took your overcoat, instead of his own, didn't he? It may have been—it's curious, isn't it, that we've had no suggestion of Eillingham in all the rest of the material." Like the other members of the Neighborhood Club, he had a copy of the proceedings at the two seances, and now he brought them out and fell to studying them. "She was right about the bullet in the ceiling," he reflected. "I suppose you didn't look for the box of shells for the revolver?" "I meant to, but it slipped my mind." He shuffled the loose pages of the record. "Cane—washed away by the water—a knee that is hurt—the curtain would have been safe—Hawkins—the drawing-room furniture is all over the house. That last, Horace, isn't pertinent. It refers clearly to the room we were in. Of course, the point is, how much of the rest is also extraneous matter?" He re-read one She called it in, and set it up her chair; herself the nut which were enacted all eighteen neighborhood dramas and her secretaries did not married them. It is curious to look back member how Herbert and myself had ignored this question in the Wells case. She was ignored, as I discovered that "Sit down," she said. "Sick, Horace." Nothing escapes her careful to place myself within my head turned away from her fancy she saw it, for twinkled. "Horace, Horace!" she I have detested you all vow? "I? You detested me?" "Loathed you," she said. "You are cruel and ugly bert has influenza, and do And Sperry is in love—oh it. I know a great man you!" I could only stare at her. "The strange thing is," that I have known you never suspected your sense. You'll forgive me. I know that your lack of humor mind the only flaw in an effect character." For killing it was. It was the way it was solved. The solution, when it came, was amazing, but remarkably simple. Like most mysteries, I have in my own house, for instance, an example of a great mystery, founded on mere absentmindedness. This is what my wife terms the mystery of the fire-tongs. I had left the Wells house as soon as I had made the discovery in the night nursery. I carried the candle and the fire-tongs downstairs. I was apparently, calm but watchful. I would have said that I had never been more calm in my life. I knew quite well that I had the fire-tongs in my hand. Just when I ceased to be cognizant of them was probably when, on entering the library, I found that my overcoat had disappeared, and that my stiff hat, badly broken, lay on the floor. However, as I say, I was still extraordinarily composed. I picked up my hat, and moving to the rear door, went out and closed it. When I reached the street, however, I had only gone a few yards when I discovered that I was still carrying the lighted candle, and that a man, passing by, had stopped and was staring after me. My composure is shown by the fact that I dropped the candle down the next sewer opening, but the fact remains that I carried the fire-tongs home. I do not recall doing so. In fact, I knew nothing of the matter until morning. On the way to my house I was elaborating a story to the effect that my overcoat had been stolen from a restaurant where I and my client had dined. The hat offered more serious difficulties. I fancied that, by kissing my wife good-by at the breakfast table, I might be able to get out without her following me to the front door, which is her custom. But, as a matter of fact, I need not have concerned myself about the hat. When I descended to breakfast the next morning I found her surveying the umbrella-stand in the hall. The fire-tongs were standing there, gleaming, among my sticks and umberillas. I lied. I lied shamelessly. She is a nervous woman, and, as we have no children, her attitude toward me is one of watchful waiting. Through long years she has expected me to "She was right about the dance at the ceiling," he reflected. "I suppose you didn't look for the box of shells for the revolver?" "I meant to, but it slipped my mind." He shuffled the loose pages of the record. "Cane—washed away by the water—a knee that is hurt—the curtain would have been safe—Hawkins—the drawing-room furniture is all over the house. That last, Horace, isn't pertinent. It refers clearly to the room we were in. Of course, the point is, how much of the rest is also extraneous matter?" He re-read one of the sheets. "Of course that belongs about Hawkins. And probably this: 'It will be terrible if the letters are found.' They were in the pocket book, presumably." He folded up the papers and replaced them in a drawer. "We'd better go back to the house," he said. "Whoever took your overcoat by mistake probably left one. The difficulty is, of course, that he probably discovered his error and went back again last night. Confound it, man, if you had thought of that at the time, we would have something to go on today." "If I had thought of a number of things, I'd have stayed out of the place altogether." I retorted tartly. "I wish you could help me about the fire-tongs. Sperry. I don't seem able to think of any explanation that Mrs. Johnson would be willing to accept." "Tell her the truth." "I don't think you understand," I explained. "She simply wouldn't believe it. And if she did I should have to agree to drop the investigation. As a matter of fact, Sperry, I had resorted to subterfuge, in order to remain out last evening, and I am bitterly regretting my mendacity." But Sperry has, I am afraid, rather loose ideas. "Every man," he said, "would rather tell the truth, but every woman makes it necessary to lie to her. Forget the fire-tongs. Horace, and forget Mrs. Johnson to-night. He may not have dared to go back in daylight for his overcoat." "Very well," I agreed. But it was not very well, and I knew it. I felt that, in a way my whole dom- TODAY TOMORROW FRANK PARKER STOCKBRIDGE HISTORY— "Does democracy lead to Communism?" was the subject of a college debate. The students decided in the negative. Another night they debated the question: "Do morals tend to decline as civilization advances?" and they decided that in the affirmative. What interested me was to discover the reports of these debates in the old folio minute-book of the Jefferson Society at the University of Virginia, in the handwriting of Woodrow Wilson when he was a student there in 1879. The very same questions that are held as important today were important fifty-two years ago. The decline of morals with the progress of civilization, has been a live topic since the days of King Solomon, and every generation has decided that its own morals are worse than those of its ancestors. Of course, that isn't true. The "good old times" were pretty bad old times if one takes the pains to dig up the evidence. Most young people, however, don't anything about the morals of their ancestors, and are keenly aware that they themselves are not always models of propriety, so they conclude that the world is steadily becoming more immoral. LIGHT— Perhaps the most marvelous achievement of applied science is the discovery of a method of taking photographs in the dark. When all visible light has been shut off it is still possible for infra-red rays to be present, though the eye cannot Affairs of Week at Nation's Capital (Correspondence to The Gazette) Washington, D.C.—More activity has been displayed by the White House in the past few weeks than in many months. Congress will meet a month from now and the spotlight will shift to Capitol Hill, especially over the choice of successor to Speaker Nicholas Longworth of the House of Representatives. Meanwhile the President has been grappling with the immediate problems that are facing the country. Premier Laval's visit here is generally conceded to have been of first importance, not because of anything that was actually accomplished, but because it resulted in a thorough understanding between the two countries regarding their individual aims and purposes. Before even the leaders of the governments of France and the United States clapped hands a definite statement was issued that nothing might be done or said was to be taken as having a binding effect on either country. That statement disposed of any possible criticism that Mr. Hoover was about to engage in any of the "entangling foreign alliances" that political spellbinders use so effectively in campaigns. The greatest good accomplished, diplomats here believe, was the clear enunciation on the part of the United States that it would not follow England's example and forsake the gold standard. That was France's greatest anxiety and to prevent such action was understood to be Premier Laval's main object in coming here. It was agreed at the conference that the aim of both countries was identical in desire to keep international finance on an even keel and that they would work in harmony to prevent any major disturbances. While statements were issued that politics was not discussed at the conference, nobody believes that either Mr. Hoover or Mr. Laval could keep off the subject entirely. They are both of them too deeply interested in the subject to avoid some remarks, but was staring at me. he called it in, and set it moving about her chair, herself the nucleus around which were enacted all sorts of small neighborhood dramas and romances. Her secretaries did not marry. She married them. It is curious to look back and remember how Herbert and Sperry and myself had ignored this quality in her, in the Wells case. She was not to be ignored, as I discovered that afternoon. "Sit down," she said. "You look half,ck, Horace." Nothing escapes her eyes, so I was careful to place myself with the lump in my head turned away from her. But fancy she saw it, for her eyes winkled. "Horace, Horace!" she said. "How have detested you all week!" "I? You detested me?" "Lonathed you," she said with unction. You are cruel and ungrateful. Herert has influenza, and does not count. And Sperry is in love—oh yes, I know it. I know a great many things. But out!" I could only stare at her. "The strange thing is," she went on, that I have known you for years, and never suspected your sense of humor. You'll forgive me, I know, if I tell you that your lack of humor was to my mind the only flaw in an otherwise perfect character." (To Be Continued) PROCESSED EGGS Perhaps the most marvelous achievement of applied science is the discovery of a method of taking photographs in the dark. When all visible light has been shut off it is still possible for infra-red rays to be present, though the eye cannot detect them. But a photographic plate which is sensitive only to infra-red rays has been produced and by its aid perfect portraits have been made of people who seemed to be in absolute darkness. This suggests many things. It has long been suspected that the eyes of night birds and animals were sensitive to the infra-red rays, enabling them to see in what appears to human beings to be total darkness. And the possibilities of getting photographs of people who believe themselves to be entirely concealed by the darkness are interesting. One of the first practical applications of this discovery that has been proposed is an automatic burglar trap which will photograph anybody prowling in the dark where he ought not to be. APPLES— Every autumn some part of the world has a bumper crop of apples and other parts have none. This year the New England crop has been small, but the other day in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia I found apple growers wondering whether they were going to be able to get the cost back out of the biggest crop in history. Ex-Governor Harry Byrd of Virginia is reported to have 200,000 barrels of apples in his orchard, said to be the largest in the world. In Germany this year the apple crop has been so large that signs along the roadside near the orchards invite the people to help themselves to apples, taking care not to break the trees. The old fashioned dried apple has almost disappeared as an item of commerce but modern canning methods take care of surplus apple crops and make substantially fresh apples available to everybody all the year around. INSURANCE— The most heavily insured man in the world is Pierre S. Dupont, of Wilmington, Delaware, who carries seven million dollars of life insurance. There are fifteen men in America who carry more than five million dollars. There are 391 who have a million dollars or more of insurance. Life insurance, on the whole, is increasing steadily. There is no other way in which the average man can leave his family an income sufficient for their needs. And in times of stress, a life insurance policy on which the premiums I could only stare at her. "The strange thing is," she went on, that I have known you for years, and never suspected your sense of humor. You'll forgive me, I know, if I tell you that your lack of humor was to my mind the only flaw in an otherwise perfect character." (To Be Continued) PROCESSED EGGS There is no reason why consumers should discriminate against "processed" eggs, says the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Processing—treating the shells to preserve the eggs—is no more objectionable than the pasteurizing of milk. It preserves the flavor and keeps the eggs from deteriorating. Housekeepers have for some time packed eggs in water glass or in salt or brine. The newest method, which is now used commercially, is to dip them in a special mineral oil, which seals the pores of the shell but does not penetrate the contents at all. Eggs treated in this way when fresh may be held in cold storage for several months without material deterioration, says the department. BUSINESS THESE DAYS IS LIKE MARRIAGE—them THAT'S IN WANT TO GET OUT AND THEM THAT'S OUT WANT TO GET IN. INSURANCE The most heavily insured man in the world is Pierre S. Dupont, of Wilmington, Delaware, who carries seven million dollars of life insurance. There are fifteen men in America who carry more than five million dollars. There are 391 who have a million dollars or more of insurance. Life insurance, on the whole, is increasing steadily. There is no other way in which the average man can leave his family an income sufficient for their needs. And in times of stress, a life insurance policy on which the premiums have been paid to date is the best possible basis for a loan. With all of the business depression and the failure of hundreds of banks, I have not heard of a single life insurance company that has failed to meet its obligations. MONROE— In Virginia the other day I saw the homes of the third, fourth- and fifth Presidents of the United States, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe. Each stands on a mountain top looking out over broad, beautiful valleys. Madison inherited great wealth and built himself a veritable palace. Jefferson was an architect and his splendid mansion, Monticello, is one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen. But a couple of miles from Monticello is a modest little one story cottage which cost Mr. Monroe just a thousand dollars to build. Somehow this affected me more than did the palaces of Jefferson and Madison. It seemed to fit in better with our scheme of democracy. Other presidents were born and reared in even humbler circumstances than Monroe, whose father was a carpenter, and who made with his own hands some of the crude furniture that still remains in the Monroe cottage. But even Lincoln had acquired a competence before he became president, while Monroe was always a poor man. Seemingly the new hats of the 1870 period are giving new life to the long depressed ostrich plume business. Can't the ladies do something to revive steel, lumber and concrete?—Louisville Courier-Journal. Aches and PAINS! When you take Bayer Aspirin you are sure of two things. It's sure relief, and it's harmless. Those tablets with the Bayer cross do not hurt the heart. Take them whenever you suffer from: Headaches Neuritis Colds Neuralgia Sore Throat Lumbago Rheumatism Toothache When your head aches—from any cause—when a cold has settled in your joints, or you feel those deep-down pains of rheumatism, sciatica, or lumbago, take Bayer Aspirin and get real relief. If the package says Bayer, it's genuine. And genuine Bayer Aspirin is safe. Aspirin is the trade-mark of Bayer manufacture of monoaceticacidester of salicylicacid. BEWARE OF IMITATIONS ek's Capital The Gazette) Before activity has White House in than in many meet a month light will shift over the speaker Nicholas of Representadent has been immediate problems country. Premier generally conceded importance, not that was actually because it resulted standing betweenarding their imposes. Makers of the gov- and the United definite state-that nothing that was to be taken affect on eithernt disposed of that Mr. Hoover in any of the alliances" thatase so effectively accomplished, was the clear act of the United not follow Eng-sake the gold France's greatest such action was Premier Laval'sing here. It was place that the aim identical in de-ional finance on they would work any major disere issued that passed at the cones that either caval could keep. They are both interested in the same remarks, but, far the only thing learned is that all are agreed this country must raise more revenue in addition to the present means of raising money by income taxes, the customs, inheritance and other forms. Coupled with this is the known fact that sales taxes bear lightest upon the voter, if properly laid. Right after the war taxes were placed on all theatre tickets, automobiles and other articles which could not be classed as necessities. Most of these have been abolished. Those still surviving are cigarettes, tobacco, patent medicines, playing cards and a few similar articles. The loss from excess duties on beer, wines and liquors, has been heaviest and, of course, there is no talk of altering that condition by any modification of the Volstead Act by the present government. The new taxes may be applied on matches, radio sets, planes, silk wearing apparel and other articles which can be placed outside of the necessity line. This is the only country in the world which does not tax matches, and an enormous revenue can be obtained from them without imposing a burden on the public. It is more than likely early problems to be acted upon when that the sales tax will be among the Congress meets early next month. Another question occupying the President's attention is his plan to aid home builders. A conference of several hundred leaders in building and allied lines, along with the men who finance such operations, will be held here on December 2. The President is adding those working on the problem as far as it lies in his power. His aim is to make borrowing easier for those who want to build homes for themselves by cutting the charges, both for interest and commission and making more money available for builders. A quick revival of building operations, it is said, will follow a satisfactory solution of this financial problem. WHEN BABIES FRET THERE are times when a baby is too fretful or feverish to be sung to sleep. There are some pains a mother cannot pat away. But there's quick comfort in Castorial For diarrhea, and other infantile ills, give this pure vegetable preparation. Whenever coated tongues tell of constipation; whenever there's any sign of sluggishness. Castoria has a good taste; children love to take it. Buy the genuine—with Chas. H. Fletcher's signature on wrapper. Atwater Kent Golden Voice Compact $72.50 FEARN— Easy Parking 273 E. Center St., Anaheim A. B. C. BUSINESS DIRECTORY Atwater Kent Golden Voice Compact $72.50 FEARN— Easy Parking 273 E. Center St., Anaheim A. B. C. BUSINESS DIRECTORY For Quick Reference Look Under Alphabetical Classification of the Business or Profession You Are Seeking. You'll Find This Anaheim Gazette Business Directory Reliable, Convenient and Profitable. USE IT. BIG AUCTION Every Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., at Jack Martin's Auction House, 137 S. Lemon, Phone 3228. Private sales all the time. For Cash or Easy Terms. Buy Anything—Sell Anything. "The Bargain Spot of Orange Co." Jack Martin, Prop. IRISH AUCTIONEER Automobile Wrecking Curran Auto Wrecking Co. L. A. at Palm, Anaheim 3101 Battery Business H. D. Hushman, Willard Batteries, 419 W. Center St., Anaheim 3503 Chiropractors The Pintlers, Chiropractors, 108 E. Broadway, Anaheim, Ph. 3413 Funeral Directors Ambulance Service—Day or Night Phone 8209 Backs, Terry & Campbell FUNERAL DIRECTORS H. P. CAMPBELL, Resident Director 251 No. Lemon St., Anaheim, Calif. DeLuxe Ambulance Service Telephone 4105 HILGENFELD'S FUNERAL HOME Optometrists Dr. Loerch Jr. 222 N. Broadway, Santa Ana 2686 Paint Business Fullerton Paint & Paper Co. 212 N. Spadra, Fullerton 477 Photographers Bettsold Studio 119 E. Center, Phone Anaheim 2530 Physicians & Surgeons Phone 3212 Open Evenings Sunday by Appointment DR. OSHER PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Dentist—Painless Extraction. Occlusal—Glasses Fitted. 107½ E. Center St., Anaheim, Calif. Office Phone 3213 Residence 887 S. Los Angeles St. Residence Phone 2610 Hours: 11-12; 2-4; 7-8 J. W. Truxaw, M.D. Physician and Surgeon Golden State Bank Bldg. Cor. Center and Los Angeles St. Anaheim, California Sash and Doors Nagel-Gohres & Co. 418 S. Lemon St., Anaheim 2403 DeLuxe Ambulance Service Telephone 4105 HILGENFELD'S FUNERAL HOME South Lemon at Broadway Anaheim, California Funiture—Used J. P. Glenn 124 W. Wilshire, Fullerton 51 Hospitals Johnston-Wickett Clinic ANAHEIM, CALIF. Hours: 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. ANAHEIM FEED AND FUEL CO. Dealers in GRAIN FLOUR SEEDS WOOD COAL HAY Phone 3210 W. D. GRAFTON, Prop. Public Weighing Scales It Pays To Advertise In The Gazette