PAGE EIGHT '
MEDFORD MATT TRIBUNE, MEDFORD, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER, 6. 1939.
by Frances Shelley Wees-
ESTERDAY; Michael catches
Miti Ltitev furtively searching
' the iroodi with a masniting
jlass. She angrily denounce! him
for "spying" on her, and telle him
to find out about a gray hat left
at McBnlni the night Murchlion
went away.
Chapter 23
Talk With McCain
IT IS possible that Michael would
never have acted on that
strange hint of Mix Lissey had
he not determined in any event to
take Dr. McBain into his confi
dence. Here was the man who
must have in his possession knowl
edge to clear up a great deal of
the mystery surrounding Edgar
Murchison if only he were so ln
' ciined: a man who had already
shown that he was kindly toward
Murchison. level-headed and fair
minded. At dusk that evening Michael
lifted the knocker on the McBain
door.
McBain himself answered the
door, in slippers and smoking
jacket, the inevitable pipe in his
hand.
"Come In, com In," he said
heartily, holding out a welcoming
hand. "It's good of you to come.'
"Thanks," Michael replied. "I
hope you're not busy. I want to
have a talk with you.
McBain led him into a small
comfortable room on the right; a
man's room, with deep chairs and
an air of untidiness. The news
paper was spread open on the ta
ble, and part of it lay on thefloor.
"You'll see how busy I am," his
host said with a smile. "I wag Just
having a smoke and finishing the
paper."
Ho indicated a chair with a wave
of his hand, and Michael sat down.
"I'll come right to the point,"
aid Michael, and looked across
at McBain, who put his pipe in his
mouth, crossed his knees, and
glanced up inquiringly. "You'll re
member I asked you several ques
tions about Professor Murchison
the night of the Dcanes' party?"
"Yes." He smoothed down the
fringe of hair on each side of the
high white forehead. His eyes were
deeply attentive.
Michael hesitated. "I'm afraid I
was doing something not quite po
lite," he said. "I was . . . well, I was
pumping you."
"Pumping me?"
Michael leaned forward and
clasped his hands between his
knees. "That business about the
women," he explained. "I hadn't
heard anything. I was looking for
Information."
McBrain frowned. The wrinkles
at the side of his strong face deep
ened. "You had some purpose, I
suppose?'
''Yes." He paused again. "Did It
ever occur to you, Dr. McBain,
that it was rather queer of Pro
fessor Murchison, whom you knew
so well, to leave as he did without
a word of farewell to you, or an
explanation?"
McBnin raised his eyebrows.
"It did," he said quietly.
"Did you ever ask his wife, or
his brother, where and why he had
lone?"
A Bit Offended'
IT WAS McBain's turn to hesi
tate. 'To tell you the truth, For
rester," he said, after a moment,
"I was a bit offended. I considered
that some explanation was due
me, particularly as Murchison and
I had planned to do a bit of re
search together. I didn't ask for
several days, because I was huffed,
and then I spoke to Duncan. I don't
care much for Mrs. Murchison."
"And what did Duncan say. may
1 ask"'
McBain looked at him directly.
Before I answer that I should
like to know Just what you are
getting at, Forrester."
"I'm sorry, I should have told
you . . . well, plainly, It's this.
The Professor did not go away on a
business trip. He disappeared, and
no one knew where he went."
"Surely, that isn't possible!"
"Well, it's the truth."
McBain was thoughtful. "Then
that may explain what Duncan
meant," he said half to himself. "1
was a bit puzzled."
"What did he say?"
"He said . . . 'You'll have to ask
his wife for thr answer to that
question . . . and I don't suppose
she'll toll you.' "
"Did he seem content, or what?"
"He was angry. But ... I sup-
fmse there's no harm In mention
ng it to vou ... he and his sister-
in-law have never gotten along
any too well. They re both hot
tempered. I put it down to a fit of
pique. You say she doesn't know
where her husband Is either?"
"No."
"You had something of that In
mind, then, when you spoke about
his interest in women"
"Yes. The only explanation that
seemed to fit the facts would be
that of his having gone off with
some other woman."
McBain shook his head. "No. I
shall never believe that possible.
He wasn't that sort."
"You are still sure of that?"
"Positive. Do vou mind telling
me . . . have you any definite rea
son for thinking of such an ex
plantation?" "Do you mind if we come to that
Inter? There are a lot of things I'd
like to ask vou first."
"Anything I know is at your dis
posal.'1 he said grimly.
"Well then, can you remember
when vou saw Edgar Murchison
last?"
"I walked home with him from
the University on the afternoon of
the day the University closed. He
must have gone that night or early
the next morning."
"Did he seem disturbed about
anything?"
''Not at all. He was a bit pre
occupied, but nothing more."
"About what?"
"I do not know unless it might
be money matters."
"Money matters?"
"His wife's extravagance was
a continual source of worry to him.
He mentioned then, I remember,
that he would need to work all
vacation to keep ahead of the
game."
"He had a considerable bank
balance?"
"Possibly, but she planned an
extensive holiday, I believe. This
was not said in so many words,
you know. I knew him pretty well
it was merely from a word here
and there that I gather this."
"You never heard him mention
any jjroperty, valuable property?"
'That he owned? No. Although
let me see No."
"Why did you hesitate?"
"I realized that I was mistaken
as soon as I spoke. His wife cor
rected me unconsciously the other
night."
"How, Dr. McBain?"
'Happy At First'
"VOU wouldn't have noticed,
I perhaps. It was in regard to a
diamond necklace Mrs. Deane
questioned her about one. I was
rather under the impression that
those were diamonds, and if that
is so, they must have been Murchi
son's property. His wife was pen
niless when he married her. He
told me that once. But she said
quite frankly that her necklace
was not diamonds, so I was
wrong."
"Had he' told you of owning any
diamonds?"
"No. But I saw the necklace In
question on Christmas Eve, and
once or twice previously. I certain
ly took the stones to be diamonds.
My wife and I spoke of them to
each other, and wondered private
ly how he managed diamonds on
his income. However, I was
wrong."
"You say his wife was penni
less. How long had they been mar
ried?" "Five or six years, I believe."
"They were happy?"
"Thev . . . thev seemed happy
when they first came."
But not later. What caused the
break, Dr. McBain?"
He ran his long sensitive hand
nervously over his head. "I dislike
this personal material," he said.
"it may oe very important.
"Well, then it seems to me I
noticed a rift after the Devoes
came. He did not like them, and as
they were her relatives, it made
matters rather unpleasant."
"Mow does it happen that her
cousin came to this University?
It looks like a coincidence."
'I believe that Murchison was
Instrumental in getting him the
place."
"He hart known Uevoe previous
ly, then?"
No. 1 think not. His credentials
were good, and Mrs. Murchison
spoke so highly of him that when
the opening was made known.
Murchison recommended Devoe."
Michael considered for a mo
ment, then looked up with an air
of decision. "I'll tell you the whole
story," he said frankly, "and per
haps you'll be good enough to tell
ma urVtnt unn thinU nt ." An1
with that he told McBain of the
letter which had come to the police
regarding the Professor's dia
monds; or the Commissioners
idea that he, Michael, by living on
the campus might get some clue
to the strange mystery; of, finally,
the discovery of the diamonds, and
of the sheaf of letters which had
been in the box with them. Mc
Bain listened in absolute silence,
looking up once or twice, but
never interrupting, never speak
ing until Michael came to the end
of his recital. Then "You actually
found these diamonds?" he asked
incredulously.
"We did. Had them tested by an
exnert tnrlnv. nnri llipv're thp rinl
thing. He values them at fifty thou
sand dollars, so they ve swred
them away in a safety deposit
vault at Headquarters until we
find out to whom they belong."
He leaned back in his chair. "Who
would be your choice for the writ
er of that letter, sir?" he asked, his
eyes on the other man's face. "The
letter about the diamonds." .
McBain frowned. "1 don't un
derstand it," he said in bewilder
ment. "Diamonds love lettersl
Edgar Murchison! Actually, For
rester, it all sounds perfectly pre
posterous and most unbelievable,
why, the man's a friend of mine
... an intimate friend! This can't
be true, this rigmarole of romance
you're telling me."
"Nevertheless, It Is," said Mi
chael dryly. "And it's just as inex
plicable to us, I can assure you."
McBain got up and paced the
floor. "Who wrote the letter, you
sayr ne muttered to himself af
ter a moment. "God knows. II
they're Murchison's diamonds . . .
how about his wife for a guess?"
"Why should she write it? II
she wanted to know, why didn't
she ask it. ask help in finding them.
Site denies that he possessed anyl
No. she didn't write it."
"Then it must be someone who
knew of them, yet who was afraid
to show a hand in the business. . . .
By Jove!" he said suddenly, and
stopped short.
"Yes?"
McUrain's brow was dark. 'That
woman," he said angrily "It
sounds like one of her tricks. Try
ing to cause trouble as usual.
Knows something and doesn't
quite understand, and rocs spying
about until she satisfies herself
Alix Lissey, I'd be willing to
swear, is vour letter writer."
Continued tomorrow
On the
RADIO CHAINS
STATIONS
trhere to Find Them on the Dial:
Kes, Portland. 1180; KFI, U10,
Los Anzelei; KUA, 1470, Spokane:
KGO, 7110. San Francisco; KUW
620, Portland; KJR, 870. Seattle;
KNX, I0S0, Los Angeles; KOA, 30.
Denver; KOIN, 810. Portland:
KOMO. 026. Seattle: KI'O, 630, Nan
Franrlnco; KSI 1 180, Salt Lake.
Wednesday,
t .OO Prank and Archie, KEX, KJR;
Sunset Shadows, KGO: Fred Waring.
KPO. KOW, KfT.
6 :30 Kelaey's Orch., KPO, KOW,
KPI: We Present, KCIO, KJR.
6:00 Beyond Reasonable Doubt,
KOO. KEX, KJR; Theater, KSL,
KOIN, KNX; Drama, KOMO: Mu
sical Soiree, KPT, KOW; Safety First,
KPO.
8:18 Tlpo the Clown, KOO; Mu
sical Soiree, KPO.
6:30 Horse and Buggy Days, KGO,
KEX; Playhouse, KPO, KFT, KOW;
News, KJR.
7:00 Sketch, KNX, KSL. KOIN;
Kyser'a Orch., KPO. KGW. KFT;
Football Award, KGO, KJR, KEX.
7:30 Burns and Allen. KNX,
KOIN, KSL: Adventures in Photog
raphy, KGO. KJR.
8:00 Warlng'a Orch., KPO: Breez
ing Along. KGO, KJR, KEX; Amos
and Andy, KNX, KOIN, KSL.
8:161 Love a Mystery, KPO, KGW,
KPT; Lum and Abner, KSL, KNX,
KOIN.
8 :30 Whlteman's Orch.. KNX.
KSL, KOIN; Quia Prgm.. KGO, KJR,
KEX; Avalon Time, KPO. KFT, KOW.
0:00 Pearce's Oang. KNX. KSL.
KOIN: Fred Allen, KPO, KGW; KPT;
Marriage Club, KGO.
0:30 Noble's Orch., KOO, KEX,
News. KJR.
10:00 Martin's Orch., KGO, KJR,
KEX: Sullivan, KNX, KSL: News Re
porter, KPO, KFT. KGW; News.
KOIN.
10:30 Madrlguera's Orch.,
KJR, KEX; Ravazza's Orcn.,
KPI, KOW.
11:00 Oray's Orch., KOIN;
ttngham'a Orch., KPO. KPI;
Movln World, KEX. KJR;
KGO, KGW.
KGO,
KPO,
Not
ThU News,
TIltirMlay
8:00 Rhythm Factory. KPO. KGW;
Prank and Archie, KEX, KJR; Sun
set Shadows, KGO.
6:30 Drama. KOMO; Kelsey's
Orch., KGO, KEX, KJR: Army Band,
KPO, KOW.
6:00 Major Bowes. KNX. KOIN,
KSL: Good News of 1040. KPO, KPI.
KGW; Beyond Reasonable Doubt,
KGO. KEX. KJR.
7:00 Workshop, KOIN; Music Hall,
KPO, KFT.
7:30 Pop-Off s, KNX, KOIN; News,
KSL.
8:00 Fred Waring, KPO, KGW.
KFI: Cutler's Orch, KEX; Aloha
Land. KOO; Amos ar.d Andy, KNX,
KSL, KOIN.
8:16 Sam Hays, KNX; Cutler's
Orch, KOO; Mystery, KPO. KGW,
KPI.
8 :30 Symphony Hour, KPO, KGW,
KFT; Ask-It-Basket, KNX, KSL,
KOIN; Lyman's Orch, KGO.
0:00 Strange As It Seems, KNX,
KSL, KOIN; Sketch, KOO, KJR,
KEX.
0:30 Those We Love. KPO, KFT,
KOW; Roger'! Orch., KGW; Owens'
Orch, KSL; Madrlguera's Orch,
KGO, KEX; Operetta Series, KNX,
KOIN-; News. KJR.
10:00 News Reporter, KPO, KGW,
KFT; News. KOIN, KNX: Foster's
Orch, KGO, KJR, KEX; News,
KOIN.
10:15 Noble's Orch, KGW; Con
cert Hal), KPO; Clark Roes and Yeo.
KOIN. KNX.
10:30 Ravazza's Orch, KPO, KGW,
KFI; Roland's Orch, KOIN. KNX;
Nottingham's Orch, KGO, KJR. KEX.
11:00 Martina Orch, KPO, KFI;
This Moving World. KEX, KJR;
Grays Orch, KSL, KOIN; News. KGO,
KNX. KOW.
reliable unofficial sources said
the attacker was the 10,000-ton
Admiral Scheer.
Pocket Battleship
Gets Food Carrier
By the Associated Press,
The second of Germany's trio
of pocket battleships apparently
has returned to action, but the
whereabouts of the third re
mains unknown.
Sinking in the South Atlantic
yesterday of the food-laden Brit
ish steamer Doric Star was at
tributed to "a German raider"
by the British admiralty, but
IS UPHELD BY COURT
Salem, Dec. 6. ()) The lar
ceny conviction of Fred W. Ger
man, president of a Portland
real estate company bearing his
name, was nt.lirld Tuesday by
the state supreme court.
German, who was sentenced
June 30, 11138. to serve two
years In the state penitentiary.
was charged with lnrconv by
embezzlement. The Indictment
accused him of taking J300 be
longing to a client.
The opinion, by Justice Kelly,
upheld Circuit Judge Earl C.
Latourette.
SUBURBAN HEIGHTS
By GLUYAS WILLIAMS
fa B0WIER5 At frit: CDMMUNrtV CLUB -fHOU&Rf If WAS VERV
COMSlDERfitE OF The LADIES fo SEf OUf REFRE5HMEN15 IN friE PANTRy.
AND If WASN'T LWiL-THE LRST CRUMB HAD THAT If IVAS DIS
COVERED That the ladies had prepared the refreshments for.
intlK OWN BKiuSt CLUb WHICH WAS MEETING UKSTAtiR.6
(Bcltwd br Thn tlfll Synrtlratc. I nr. ;
r16
HEDLUND CHAIRMAN OF
STATE BIRTHDAY BALLS
Portland, Dec. 6. (P) Dr. E.
T. Hedlund, Portland postmas
ter, became Oregon chairman
of the seventh annual Presi
dent's birthday ball today. Re
ceipts from the January 30
event will be used
infantile paralysis.
to combat
Cut Cotton Subsidy.
Washington, Dec. 8. VP)--Secretary
Wallace announced to
day that the rate of the govern
ment subsidy payment on cot
ton exports would be reduced
by half, effective at midnight
tonight.
Ose Mall Trtbun want ads.
To Fight Inspection.
Salem. Dec. 6. M The un
employment compensation com
mission served notice today it
would ask the state supreme
court next Thursday for a writ
of mandamus to prevent carry
ing out of Circuit Judge L. G.
Lewelling's order giving Emmet
T. Rogers of Portland the right
to inspect the commission's
books.
STRANGE AS IT SEEMS By JOHN HIX
For further proof address the author, lnclostnf stamped envelop tor reply. Reg. TJ. S. Pat. Off.
zSHrr
,
unusual
nauralrock
profile
of a
manK.
BROTHERS, offfinlsjetes.
IN1H6 SAME ROOM AMD SLEEP
VV J'.V-A ili tm Jf-TUhtlB KlnT
'EEN EACH OTHER IN 2 YEARS
friey ARE NoTBUNP,,,
CWASfaoPHe
' A CATefoFF A .
pUttARAlARfANA, r
KAHsfv5 crry WAREHOUSE
gy WN-KIN6 Pft9TAN
'ELECTRIC EVi'm LH
TAIL ERECT
PAN PATCH
famous harness horse,
WtlV THE WORLD'S PACIN6 RECORD
FoR 33 YEARS
IZ-6
BROTHER STRANGERS
Although they have lived in the same room and slept in the same bed for two years, J.
E. O'Leary and D. L. O'Leary, of Ennis, Texas, have not seen each other the whole timet
Strange as it seems, the explanation is simple. J. E. O'Leary is a railroad engineer. He leaves
for Houston Mondays and rem ns to Ennis Thursdays. D. L. O'Leary is a railroad conduc
tor. He starts for Houston Wednesdays after 24 hours in Ennis, where they both share a
room and bed. The brothers maintain separate homes in Houston.
33-YEAR-OLD RECORD.
When famous old Dan Patch in 1905 paced the mile in 1.55 1-4 he set a world's record
destined to stand for 33 years years until Billy Direct's remarkable mile of last year.
TOMORROW: The Coconut Worldl
TAILSPIN TOMMY An Aerial Student ObjectsI
By HAL FORRES"
CtoMlvi time for Too e to Ctaa
!fy Ads Is I 10 p. m
(Jm Maii Tribune want ads.
TWHEE POINT HAS OPENED AN AlR. COLLEGE .'
IN "THE CLASS ROOM, TOMMY, AT THE BLACK
BOARD, IS INSTRUCTING A CLAS....
OM,TEACH6a..AM f PIPE IVOU'VE GOT "SX JWi VOU?.. I AftN6rrSYT
I SUPPOSED TO BWN&M DOWN, TO LEARN -rv TRICK IN TH' I
YUH A NICE RSP M VOU THE GROUND J 1 MARINES
-I I APPLE: TO GIT YUH V LUG' COURSE J Vii--A ONCE'T. I
'NOW THIS REPRESENTS THeWv1 TO TAK6 MB UP BEFORE YDU ) VVVAN'...
OH, YEAH', WELL I WAS A
JAILOR.! ATLANTIC FLEET
MIDDLE-WEIGHT CHAMP..
LET J. Ore r
v: -rxryA
k ACQUAINTED, Jgs.
s
fw. ittlb, fnJlrt retort HrvMnU. Ih. ff-4v J V,-n-fi"P
Tt Krt. f B- r.L Off AU rtihU tntnti . 1 C'iOij lOPPv C
BEN WEBSTER'S CAREER Happy Dayl
By EDWIN ALGER
ITS ELECTION PAV AT HAPPy VALLEV ANP
A LONG LINE OF CITI2rTN& IS AT
BOTH VOTING PLACES..-. BUT THERE
h NO POUBT OF THE OUTCOME
IT'S A TIPAL WAVE OF VOTE4 FOB.
WILLIS 8AUINGER
I THEM , V T n Vr7J7 rlw
- Lmm, : I
( .M' I JEST TREMBLE MA ( HEjS 5KIPPEP Vf 'MEMBER WHAT I S-AltA
WHEN I THINK HOW TOWN, 7 PEEPK. -I ALL AL0N6 'BOUT )
CLOSE VJE COME TO Tfflfo. AIN'T HE ? IT HE . Wffll J THI$ ELECTION!? f
GETTlN' THAT SCAMP KWy V HAS "'m' A PUSHOVFA FOR Yj , 'i .
THE NEBBS There's a Limit to Everything
By SOL HESP
IZ NOW I UNDERSTAND "XV"' '"wELL , Yt- SITSO VOU'RE fllFwEU. , ITS NOT OMLV TOSELL, IP SUDtR THINKS TN bw,SO KNIT A N
MNOU'RG PUTTINo MONEY- GETTING WIM OUTW SPENDING A LOTser UIM OUT.ME'S GOT Wso P J WMV DOT VoUlLT ORCROCHET
1 N THAT OLD - - J op : HERE, Atsfr IM OP MONEY OUST ) .SOMETHING IN THIS fl NOU LET WIM PUT WIS MONEV SOME LACE OR
IV REMODELING IT FOR j f ? M TO GET WIM OUT OF CONCENTRATED POWER pk T ?.. ILL BET WE WOULDNTj SOMETHING AND
I THAT NUT ' ' ; - HERE - V COULD VV ptu EVEN SLIDER. A D,ME IMTO Tw's NUTS STOP ROOTING IN A
I 7 Kii pi rr , . . J. THROW HIM OUT 5A.ID SO y-f y 'SCHEME 1 DON'T COnSIDERAnOUR HUSBANDS
I i JL I'l r '" ) '? FOR HALF THE 7 v-T-i SLIDER SMART BUT WE -ffJJt
I i! fl - . PRICE!- ( CTSV ' I D0ESMTHAVETO s : WfVI