Evening star., 1937-06-05

Continued From First Page)
appointment to discuss such a deal
with Keene.
Starkey said he was impressed with
the reticent and preoccupied manner
of Keene There wasn't in his man
ner the cordiality with which he had
usually treated me-" Starkey declared.
Did Not See Other Passenger.
Starkey said he did not see Keene
conversing with any other passenger
on the steamer and had no idea whom
the real estate man might have con-
ferred with in his cabin.
The appearance OF Starkey, who was
found at his home, IL East Irving
street, Chevy Chase, Md, at police
headquarters with Maryland Detectives
Brubaker and ]. J. Cassidy, and Wash
ington Homicide Squad Detectives
jeremiah F7aherty and William Car
yer created sensation.
Starkey explained he had consulted
Charles F. Keene, jr., son Of the dead
man, and Charles Osborne, a jeweler
whose Office Keene shared, a week
after he returned from an official bust
ness trip to Norfolk.
At that time, the investigators were
straining every effort to find the mys-
terious "red-faced man who had
bought a beer for Keene shortly be-
fore midnight on the night he dis.
appeared.
Starkey told police that at the con-
ference in Osborne's Office it appeared
to be the consensus that Keene had
committed suicide He said he ex-
planned to Keene's son and Osborne
that he was ready to be of any assist
ance he could, but he did not want to
be dragged into the case unless it was
necessary.
Informed Of Death by Wife.
He left the boat at Old Point Com.
fort, Starkey said, and did not learr
keene had vanished until he tele.
phoned his wife that night and she
told him what she had read In the
newspapers.
Starkey said he had an affectionate
regard for Keene and that at variou.
times he had lent him small amount.
OF money. which did not total more
than $25.
Osborne participated in the con.
ference with Starkey and the detec.
tives at headquarters and later sale
that what had occurred, STRENGTHENED
his belief that his business associat,
committed suicide.
Sergt. Brubaker refused to expires.
an official opinion, but under ques-
tioning said he does not attach much
Importance to the murder verdict re.
turned by coroner's jury Of fisher.
men on Smith Island. Brubaker sale
he will submit report to States At
torney Krke Maddrix OF Somerset
County, Md, within the next severa
days. 1t will be up to Maddrix tc
decide whether the evidence gathered
by Brubaker warrants q grand jury
investigation.
Starkey without Theory.
Starkey said he had formed no the
ory as to whether Keene's death wa.
murder or suicide.
When he parted from Keene in th<
salon shortly before midnight, Star.
key said, he went to his stateroom
which was on the gallery deck toware
the middle Of the ship. He said h.
did not hear the report of a sho
or any disorder during the earl,
morning. His stateroom was 50 fal
removed from Keene's, which was tn.
last cabin aft on the salon deck, thai
he could not have heard anythins
unusual that might have happened
Starkey said.
To the best OF his recollection
Starkey said, Keene was still sitting
in the salon when they parted. He
suggested they might see each other
again the next morning, Starkey said
but could not recall whether Keene
answered him.
When he suggested that they dine
together, Starkey told police, Keene
replied that he was conserving his
resources. Starkey suggested that
keene be his guest, but the real estate
man said he had eaten before he
boarded the boat.
Although they chatted in the salon
about is minutes or half hour, Starkey
said, Keene did not mention whom
he intended to see in Norfolk.
Starkey recalled that Keene was
wearing brown beret when he met
him. keene's hat was found in his