New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1926-09-04
BEGIN HERE TODAY

Mrs. Prentiss, who suffers from,
insomnia, sees lights mysteriously
appear and disappear in the Heath
household next door one night, and
the next morning Harbor Gardens
Long Island, is agog with the MUIR
der of Myra Heath, and the disap-
pearance of Perry. her husband.
House guests of the Heaths are
Lawrence Inman and Bunny Moore.
Inman might have a motive because
he is heir to Myras considerable
fortune, she having cut off her hus-
band in her will. Suspicion also
points to golden haired, vivacious
Bunny Moore, because Of her re-
fusal to answer questions at the in
quest.
Myra Heath was a peculiar wom-
an. She never used cosmetics,
never wore colors. She had a mania
for collecting glass, and it was a
rare old whiskey bottle that was the
| instrument of her death. Candles
were burning at her head and feet
when maid discovered her body,
and nearby was a card marked THE
! Worth of Perry Heath" Strangest
of all, she was heavily made up and
| dressed with gay colors.
The strangest thing about Heath's
disappearance is the fact that all the
windows and doors had been locked
on the inside the night before and
were found that way in the morn
ing. Finger prints of Bunny and In
man are found on the bottle. A vani-
ty case has strangely disappeared
and physicians determine that the
rouge was applied to Myras face
after death.
At the Country Club. the murder
is discussed by Sam Anderson,
Heath's rival for the club presiden-
cy; AL Cunningham. who is trying to
solve the case, and others. Some be-
lieve Heath the murderer. Others,
including Anderson, disagree. Gun
ningham, believing Bunny Moore
is concealing something, calls on
Mrs. Prentiss.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER XVI
Now, Al Cunningham was not an
Adonis for looks, but he had an in
gratiating way with him, which,
added to discreetly flattering
tongue, sometimes made astonishing
inroads on the confidence of middle
aged or elderly ladies.
He passed the Heath house, and
beaming his most debonair smile, he
deliberately walked up the garden
path and up few steps of the
porch of Mrs. Prentiss.
Teddy Buck looked around in sur
prise, then rose, to greet a supposed
friend of his aunt.
But Mrs. Prentiss showed no
recognition of the caller, and Cum
bingham, taking all on one bold
move, held out his hand to her, as
he said, you'll forgive me, l know,
when you hear what I've called
about"
His smile faded and gave way to
a mysterious air, and his lowered
voice promised thrilling revelations.
Emily Prentiss couldn't resist this,
and she graciously bowed and point
ed to a nearby chair.
Cunningham, thus encouraged, |
tactily took Todhunter Buck also in
to his confidence, and began by say
ing:
I'm Al Cunningham, g. Gardens |
man, of course, and I saw you two
at the inquest this afternoon. Mrs. |
Prentiss, I felt sure that you knew |
something about the affair but as
didn't tell it."
"Well, I declare." cried the aston
ished woman. Now however did
you guess that? Here l was just
with my nephew whether
or not l ought to tell somebody, and
along you come? It's just providen-
tial, that's what it is, You a de-
,ective, Mr.. Cunningham ?"
well, I am. but not a profession
al one. AS a matted of fact, I'm a |
rank amateur, but I'm working in
he interests of the Country Club.
Mr.. Heath was member, you know,
and some of the men think they
ought to look into the matter of his
strange disappearance. And they've
put the work rather more or less
INTO my hands. So, as l said. have
l bunch you know something-oh,
I. beg your pardon, forgive the
slang."
mo harm at ALL" Mrs. Prentiss
oeamed on him. MY nephew here,
uses the most atrocious slang, so
I'm used to it. Well sir, your bunch
s a right one. do know something !
hough whether it's of any account
Or not. l can't say. But seeing you
ire what you are, and sent out by
he club and all, l don't see why l
shouldn't tell you. In fact, I'd have |,
old it before if I'd known who to
ell. / don't altogether cotton to the
police. They're so high and mighty
and they can take what you tell 'em,
and then twist it all out OF killer
until it's no use to them or anybody
else"
That's SO, Mrs. Prentiss," Cum
voice was deeply sympa-
.hetic. Now, if you care to tell me,
I'll promise you the information will
not be wasted
'All right. I'll tell"
Whereupon, Mrs. Prentiss detailed
NEW her watch of the night before.
She told accurately and just as she
lad told her nephew at breakfast of
he strange appearance, disappear
lnces and reappearances of lights in
he Heath studio.
TT is a most interesting story"
said. when she had fin
she'd And / am sure it is of the
Utmost importance. Were 1t only
the main lights Of the
DOM, it would not be so peculiar,
tut the appearance of the two small /.
parks which were doubtless the /.
,andles left there. makes it ell q