Quincy High School - Goldenrod Yearbook (Quincy, MA)

Page 11 text:

 THE CASE OF THE MISSING SON HONORABLE MENTION By Harry Elstob Detective-Inspector John Mulvey rubbed himself vigorously as he stood under the steaming shower. There, going down the drain, was dirt accumulated over a period of several hours. If he could but wash his troubles away in a like manner, how much happier he would be. But, he sighed, that sort of thing just can’t be done. As he stepped from the heavy downpour, he reached out a thick hand and turned the water off. This last motion accomplished, he proceeded to rub himself still more briskly with a thick Turkish towel provided for that purpose. When he was thoroughly dried, he wended his way through the maze of lockers to the spot where his own stood open. Here he started the task of getting dressed again and, his troubles forgotten for an instant, he visioned the hot dinner he knew awaited him at home. Unaware of their superior’s presence in the adjoining shower, four patrol- men sat talking and playing cards in the recreation room provided for the-t members of the Bedford Police Department. Ralph Coneghan, his chair tilted at a precarious angle, surveyed each of his comrades in turn. Good friends were these four, Patterson, Graves, O’Hara, and himself. None of them was married and consequently they roomed to- gether, ate together, and went around with each other. At the station house they had acquired the nickname The Four Musketeers.’’ Therefore their con- versation was their own and no matter how intimate it became or how public it may have been, it travelled no further than the table at which they sat. Your deal, Jack,’’ spoke up Graves, speaking to O’Hara who was seated across from him. O. K.,” replied the other laconically. He rolled up his shirt sleeves. That’s to show you that I don’t cheat,’’ he said mockingly. Heard anything about our so-called 'boy bandit’?” It was Coneghan that spoke. I haven’t heard anything,” said Patterson in a rather disappointed tone. Nor me,” spoke up O’Hara, who had just finished dealing the cards.

Page 10 text:

'The Cjolden ing out of his secret room and locking the door behind him, he appeared before Mr. MacDonald. As these two individuals had never met, the landlord was obliged to introduce himself. I feel highly honored. I am thankful for this indication of kindness,” said Mr. White with emotion. ' I understand,” said Mr. MacDonald, that you have been to work on an important mechanical invention.” Yes, sir, and I am happy to inform you it is completed; the model has gone to Washington. I have used all the money 1 could scrape together to pay the expenses of the patent right, but, sir, a manufacturing company is ready to negotiate with me for my machine and in a very short time I shall be able to pay all my debts.” I have concluded that I might as well permit you to remain here a short time longer—although I am myself pressed for money,” he said with a thought- ful air. My dear sir,” exclaimed Mr. White, this is a favor I had no right to expect, but I am sincerely grateful for what you have done for us. If we can remain here you shall be no loser. Your debt I consider sacred; those many benefits shall never be forgotten.” Benefits! I am not aware that you are much indebted to me.” You are pleased to say so, but for two quarters’ rent you gave me receipts in full, relying upon my honor for payment at some future time. I have also received sums to aid me in prosecuting my invention. I have no time doubted that the money came from you.” Mr. MacDonald pressed his forehead with his hand. After a pause he said: And why, may I ask—why did you give me the credit?” Excuse me for mentioning the subject,” said Mr. White, but although you parted in anger from your sister—” Sir! exclaimed Mr. MacDonald, starting and changing color. Hers was a pardonable offence,” said Mr. White. She didn't want to marry the man whom you chose for her husband. You disowned her, you have never met her since. But this wvas years ago, and I knew you could not cherish resentment so long.” My God,” cried Mr. MacDonald, what do you mean? I have heard nothing of her for twenty years. I know not what has become of her.” Mr. White fixed his eyes upon his landlord in speechless astonishment. Is it possible?” he murmured. Arc you serious?” Upon my soul, I have made inquiries for Mary, without success. I have supposed her dead.” Then these benefits have not been bestowed, because—” (continued on page 2 f)

Page 12 text:

7Ite Cjolden Roc) I guess he's dropped out of sight,” finished Graves. I wonder why they don’t get some real detectives on this force. Here a youngster has been robbing stores, banks, and houses for five weeks and they haven’t got a single clue. A twenty year old boy has got the police department of a big city like Bedford stumped.” The speaker snickered. You’re right about the detectives this city has. I’m the man they should have on this case,” boasted Coneghan. And what, my dear fellow, gave you the great idea that you, a mere patrol- man, could compete with the master minds of our detective bureau?” asked Graves jokingly. 'My dear fellow,” replied Coneghan imitating Graves and yet using a more serious tone, has it not yet dawned upon you that our beloved detective-inspec- tor’s son disappeared just two, let me spell it for you t-w-o, two days before the first robbery and that the descriptions of the boy bandit’ tally identically with his?” The three men jumped up as one. In the same breath it was with almost the same words that they said it was preposterous. And at the same instant they sat down and commenced arguing, the card game forgotten. It was with a heavy heart that the detective overheard the conversation pre- viously recorded. He sat down on a bench that happened to be near and wiped his brow with a silk handkerchief. True, the detective staff was slow to rec- ognize the fact that this patrolman had realized from the start. He had lab- ored so hard to keep his subordinates from linking up the two incidents and now this. His head was beaded with drops of perspiration despite the fact that he continued to wipe them away. How long he sat there he did not know, but when he finally finished dress- ing, the patrolmen had vacated the next room and Mulvey slunk out much as a child does that has been found out in a lie. He gave a sigh of relief when he found himself outside the building. He could think more clearly in the open air. Outside, the comparatively warm afternoon had turned into a cold Decem- ber night. Large flakes of snow fell from the sky and blanketed the ground to a depth of several inches. On each telephone pole a Christmas tree lifted its branches proudly to the starlit sky. At every corner figures in red and white, accompanied by a bell and crimson bucket, collected money for some charitable organization. Everywhere a gay Christmas spirit prevailed. Was this not the eve of the most looked-forward-to holiday of the entire year? Mulvey saw none of the holiday spirit nor dressings as he pushed his way through the jolly crowd. Many times a friend tapped him on the back or said some cheery word, but they were rewarded only with an icy stare or perhaps nothing at all. Tonight he had eyes for no one. The policeman picked his way through the mile and a half shopping center and approached an intersection not as busy as the other streets on that night.