South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-09
SYNOPSIS.

SYNOPSIS.
Bobby Blackburn is suspected by How
ellis, county detective. Of the murder
OF Silas Blackburn. the grandfather, who
was found dead In an old abandoned
room in the Cedars. the old mans estate,
near New York City. \ handkerchief
with the initials "R. b." was found in
the room. and a footprint outside the
house, OF which Howells has taken a
plaster cast proves 10 be that Of the
young man.
1t is shown that silas Blackburn had
intended 10 make a new will the FOL
lowing morning, which would disinherit
Bobby, which fact is assigned by How
ellis as the motive for the crime
The old man had been fearing violence
for several days and had gone TO the old
room so that anyone who had designs
upon him would be unable TO find him.
He had locked both doors. and the only
windows were two stories up. so that
entrance through them is impossible.
Katherine his other grandchild, who
had been staying at the Cedars with
him, while Bobby was following a gay
life in New York, says that on the night
OF the murder she heard the sound OF
long, drawn-Out sigh, and II was this
hich led her to investigate, with Jen-
kins, the butler. who was forced to break
the lock in order TO get into the room.
Carlos Parades of Panama, and
Spanish woman called Marie, had been
with Bobby at a New York cafe until
about midnight on the night Of the muir
der. Hartley Graham. a friend of the
family, had endeavOred 70 get Bobby
away from them, but had failed. Bobby
had left the party about midnight In
semi conscious state, due to heavy
drinking and he believes due 10 q drug
put in his wine by the woman. He Is
unable 10 recall anything about his ac-
tiCns from midnight until about noon the
next day, when he awOke In an old de-
serted farm house about two miles from
the Cedars.
The coroner being out OF the county,
IL was necessary TO leave the body or the
older Blackburn where IL was found, flat
on it's back on the bed in the old room
! That afternoon the strange signing
sound is heard again, and a pSompt in
vestigatiOn shows that the body, which
was locked in the room, has turned on
its side. revealing a smai hole at the
base OF the brain, showing how the muir
der was committed.
The coroner comes. examines the body.
and signs the necessary papers. Dr.
Groom. the Blackburn's family physi-
clan. and Parades, the Panamanian, are
inclined somewhat 70 believe that there
is something, supernatural about the ar ar,
fair. Generations Of BlGckburns had died
in the old room, all suffering from in
juries to the head.
Bobby hastens TO the Cedars that he
may learn as much as possible concern
ing the events Of the previous night On
the Way ne CONTINUALLY tAptllcuNto AAN
sensation Of being followed, and sup
poses that Howell is on his trail. he Is
met at the door OF the Cedars by kath-
I crime and Graham, who had been sum-
moned 10 the house after Katherine was
unable 10 reach Bobby. They urge
/ Bobby 70 tell all he knows but he is
\ pOwerless 70 aid in solving the mystery
Sorry" Graham said You
must understand we can't let any
| lead slip. This stranger Sfaria
/ brought up?"
81 didn't catch his name. -
/ Paroles answered. I'D never seen
him before. l gathered he was a
friend of hers-connected with the
profession. Now 1 shall telephone
with your permission. Miss Rather
inc; and don't you worry, Bobby.
will see YOU through; but we can't
do much until the coroner comes,
until the detective can be made 70
talk"
Katherine hesitated for a mo-
ment, then she surrendered.
Please go with him, Hartley.
and-and make him as comfortable
as you can in this unhappy house. .
Katherine detained Bobby With a
nod He saw the others go. He
/ shrank, in his mental and physical
discomfort, from this isolation with
her. AS soon as the door was closed
she touched his hand. She burst
out passionately.
IT don't believe IL. BObby. I'll
never believe II no matter what