Stratford Central Secondary School - Collegian Yearbook (Stratford, Ontario Canada)

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COLLEGIAN, l930 keley wrote the letter in Italian-H What letter? interrupted Billy. Oh, I may as well begin at the start of my finding clues. The library revealed nothing. The story of the butler's about an Italian fruit-man seemed improbable. He said that this man could have done the deed. I looked up the Italian and found that he had worn no gloves. He would have left fingerprints on the knife and besides the day was wet and there were no footmarks be- tween the kitchen and the library. This eliminated him and any other outsider. This left only Dunkeley and the staff. The maid was clean- ing a room on the third floor and it was the cook's day off. This left only the butler and Dunkeley as pro- bable suspects. The butler had plenty of opportunity as he was downstairs all day, but I could not find a motive for him. In searching Ritchie's strongbox I came across his will. His only relative was Dunkeley, who was named sole heir. This gave him a strong motive. I reconstruct the murder like this. While Carson was in the kit- chen Dunkeley crept downstairs, killed his uncle and returned. Of course he had spent some time in finding out about the Italian's visits which were weekly. Then he had to send his uncle the letter by which he tried to make us think that the Mafia was responsible. He naturally phoned the police to try to throw us off his track. Of course it took me some time to draw these conclus- ions. SECOND PRIZE JUNIOR STORY VVhere 'I'I1ere's a Will 'I'here's Always a Way By Margaret Evans May Emerson was walking home from school with her chum, Louise Minden. It was the first of June and to- morrow would be lVIay's birthday. Oh, dear, she said to her friend, I hope Aunt Mary Perkins gives me a nice present this time. Who wants hankies all the time, anyway? This was not a very good idea as to what a birthday should be. Her friend spoke. HI don't think you should talk about your Aunt Mary like that. I suppose your aunt wouldn't have given you those hankies, unless she really thought they were useful, and they are, you know, she said quietly. All the same, May thought her aunt should have given her more than a box of hanclkerchiefs, considering that she was an only niece. But Aunt Mary Perkins didn't think so. Her niece had' got so many things now, it was hardly pos- sible to give her anything she hadn't already, but she decided to give May a better present this year. But what could she give her? All of a sud- den an idea came-a tennis racket. May didn't own such a thing. But, alas, May did not play tennis, be- cause she saw no sense in it. Aunt Mary overlooked this important fact. She hurried uptown that afternoon to get lVIay's present--and it was a present, to be sure! It was one of the best rackets money could buy, for Aunt Mary Perkins was quite well- to-do. It was june the second, and May was looking forward to the time when her guests would arrive. A rap was heard at the door. It was a boy who had brought Aunt Mary's pre- sent. lVIay opened it, wondering what on earth it could be. When it was opened she didn't look a bit pleased. Instead, she sighed and murmured, That's just like Aunt Mary! She always gives me some- thing I don't want. -5 3-

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COLLEGIAN, I9 30 of the room and began his search. After an hour's examination by a trained man, a room is pretty well searched. Sloane found nothing un- usual. I-Ie left the room and re- turned with Dunkeley. I-Iow has your uncle been acting lately? asked Sloane. Since his return from Italy he has seemed worried. I never mentioned the matter to him. By the way, Uncle John received a letter the oth- er day from Sicily. Carson, the but- ler, brought the letters to me, as I was secretary to uncle. I noticed one letter, which was written in a Europ- ean hand. When uncle saw this let- ter he ordered we out of the room. Since then I have seen very little of him and when I did see him he was always very worn-looking. You have not seen the letter? asked Sloane. No, said Dunkeley, but I imagine it will be in his strong-box, as he never destroyed a letter of any importance, and I feel sure this one was important. I-Iis strong-box is in a wall safe behind those book- cases. Sloane walked over to the book- cases. Dunkeley came over and swung open one row of books, re- vealing a small safe. This was un- locked. Sloane took out a small iron box. I-Ie opened it and every- thing seemed in order. The second letter was written in Italian. Apparently the murderer was not after this, he remarked. Sloane had a slight knowledge of Italian. The letter was brief, but concise: You say you do not re- pent, then I will kill you. The detective folded the letter, put it in his pocket, and replaced the strong-box. All through? asked Dunkeley. HI have ordered a room to be made ready for you. Then I believe I will have head- quarters send a couple of policemen and then I'll be able to retire to my room and think this over. The following morning Sloane interviewed Carson. You say only the tradesmen were here? asked the detective. I Yes, sir, replied the butler. Were any of them out of your sight at any time? No, began Carson, then: Oh, yes, the Italian fruit man came and I did not have the change. I had to go upstairs to get the money from IVIr. Dunkeleyf' HDuring this time he could have slipped into the library, committed the murder, and returned to the kitchenfi Yes, I suppose he could have. Did the man seem uneasy when you returned. Yes, sir. 'iwhere do you spend most of the day? In the kitchen, sir. Was IVIr. Dunkeley upstairs all day? Yes, sir. fSIoane left the house., That afternoon two policemen came to the Ritchie house with war- rants to arrest Dunkeley. I-Ie was brought to SIoane's office. Are you willing to confess? Sloane asked him. Uconfess what? asked Dun- keley, blandly. To the murder of your uncle, of course. At first the man denied having anything to do with the crime but after a grilling third degree, he broke down. I-Iow in the world did you ever think to arrest Dunkeley in the Ritchie case? asked Billy Blake, a friend and admirer of Sloane, some days after the trial of Dunkeley who was found guilty. Well, in the first place, that let- ter, as was shown at the trial was written by Dunkeleyf' began Sloane, but suddenly he broke off, but you heard all I can tell at the trial. I missed the trial, worse luck, said Blake gloomily. That's why I want you to tell me all about it. Well, then, as I said before Dun- 15 7...

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COLLELGIAN, 1930 When Louise arrived, she was de- lighted, and exclaimed, No excuse for not coming to play tennis now, May. Oh yes, but you know very well I can't play tennis, replied May. Yes, but you might try. Where there's a will, there's always a way. You are not lacking the way, for you have your racket, and l am will- ing -to teach you as much as l know, May. We'll go and start tomorrow. Will you? May agreed to do this. As much as Louise knew was really a good deal. She was quite an expert and could play a game with anyone. Day after day the two chums went to the court and practised hard, and at last May could play quite well and seemed to be enjoying herself at the game. ln the daily paper one night, it was announced that there would be a Tennis Tournament again this year. Louise hurried to lVlay's home to tell her the news. 'il-low about it, May? she asked, Let's enter. Oh, you silly, as if I would, answered May. Aw, some on! Be a sport, May. Well, then, I guess l will, if it's only to be a good sport. So the two girls sent in their en- tries. When May and Louise went to school next day, everyone was ex- cited, talking about the Tennis Tour- nament. Ml expect Louise will enter, ex- claimed one girl. She's likely to win, too, added another. The chums overheard this remark and May smiled, and said, Sure she will! The day of the Tournament ar- rived. The games were to be played on the school courts and there was already a crowd of people waiting for them to begin. Louise's turn came at last. No one was much sur- prised at her winning, for she was recognized quite generally as iihe school's tennis champion. All the same, May was glad Louise had won her game. After what seemed ages to her, lVlay's turn came. Although she was excited she played very well and scored over her opponent. Every- one was shocked when lVlay walked into the court. No one thought she could play. But more shocked were they when they saw how skillfully she played, and won the game. There were still a few games to be played. May and Louise stood amongst a batch of school-girls. Who do you think will win the first place. May? asked one. Well, dearie me, l don't think- l know! Vlfhy Louise will, of course, surely you all knew that! And then, who will get the se- cond? asked another. Well, I will, answered May. And, just to prove that many a true word is spoken in jest, she did. May is now a changed girl. She is very enthusiastic over 'tennis and does not say unkind things of her aunt. TO--- ? Oh, would I could play tennis! With graceful measures move And you to toss the ball back And when you ask me for the score To whisper, Forty-love. I Azh, would I were a mighty cook In that I'd find sweet bliss The sweetest taffy balls I'd make And wrap them up like this I'd bring a box and offer them And say, My dear, a kiss ? Aih would I were a gardener For you I'd grow sweet slifps For you I'd grow the fairest f1ow'rs The reddest of tulips I'd pluck you some, and give you them And say, I love two-lips. J. W. ....59...