The Wilmington morning star., 1940-05-15
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xt1IS1o A4AAo
L, Bill Strickland, am suspected
in the murder of my friend, Al
fred Markham, rich young jewel
err, at a party at the Rio Vista
club. I am kidnapped an hour later
but escape. Most Of my friends
believe the kidnapper to be the
murdered, but George Markham
is skeptical. Despite the kidnap,
per's threat to kell me if l tell
the police about him, l decide 1o
20 to the police station, George
and Louise accompanying me.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
To say that we created a SEN
sation when we arrived at the Pc.
lice station would be putting II
mildly. I was not so much inter
ested in the police reactlcN' now
ever. as I was in the fact that we
arrived safely. George and Louise
despite my protests, mao rloden ~
the car with me, which probably
discouraged any attack that mlgh'
have been planned against me.
Luckily Captain Mcdonald him
self was at the desk. His mouth
dropped open in surprise.
Strickland"
When he said that the desk SER
geant CAPPED. Several officers came
out of the back room. Everyone
knew that name now.
where have you been"
explained, as quickly as 1 could
snd Louise added, "It's true, Cap
tain, every word of it. Mr.. Bel
ger of The Morning Eagle and l
rescued him from the river. Mr..
Pelzer explained, I guess, when ne
brought that note"
Mote! What note?"
Louise flushed. I saw her eyes
darkening with anger. so! It's
still in his pocket, I suppose.
should have known better than to
trust him."
mo harm DONE" I told her. Il
really can't describe my kidnaper
well enough to identify him. My
story isn't of much help to the po-
lice" I decided to hold the threat
note a while longer.
That's what you Think" said
Mcdonald. How long since you
escaped?"
Sixteen hours"
Sixteen hours! My God!-par-
don me, ma'am-where have you
been?"
"Belzer called a doctor, who or
dered me to keep quiet. I've been
at the Markham house."
Sounds like one of Belzer's
trick, all right: Well, too late now
to stop his story. I suppose it's ir
type. The kidnaper will know
we're on his trail. Come back tc
the club with me- We'll look fol
footprints-and there may be other
clues-if he hasn't destroyed them
by this time!"
George held his sister back
We'll go home" he said, despite
her protests. That's no place fol
ycu."
Captain Mcdonald agreed
There are too many reminder:
in that clubhouse garden. Well re
port to you if we find anything
definite"
Thanks. We'll appreciate it."
The brother and sister withdrew
after l had thanked Louise again
Captain Mcdonald and / climbed
into his car, accompanied by two
detectives with cameras and othel
equipment. There was no neWspa
per photographer or reporter, how
ever I had seen no newspaper
men at the station in the few min
utes we'd been there, so I knew
that Belzer's "exclusive' stor,
was safe. No other paper woule
get it before press time. To b.
certain there'd be no new develop
ments before then, I'd say nothin,
about the threat note for anothe
hour.
AS we rolled toward the north
ern outskirts of the city, where tn
club was located, Captain McDon
aid told me, Il never have ha,
any serious suspicion of you
Strickland. That was why I trie,
to cover up that bad break 20
made about your pocket knife
There was no blood on tan
there must be some perfectly sim
pie explanation of how you cam
to drop it in the rose arbor, ism
there?"
II loaned it to Alfred MARKHAM
to cut a rose"