Westdale Secondary School - Le Raconteur Yearbook (Hamilton, Ontario Canada)

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LE llACONTEUB The Accidental Suicide of a Murderer By john Burbidge HE Chief Commissioner of the C.I.D. ' sat at his desk in his office in New Scotland Yard regarding some reports. The frown on his broad forehead deepened as he turned over the pages, but after a while, with a grunt of satisfaction, he drew forth two closely written sheets. XYhen he had read them through twice, he pressed a bell at his elbow and his secretary entered. You rang, sir? Yes I want this Gordon case transferred to Gregory. You might give him these reports. The Chief nodded. That will be all, Malling. 1 Pl' 'F llugh Gregory was reading the reports when I entered his ofiice. XYe will be leaving for a place called Tavistock. in Devon, to-day, said Hugh. That is if you will go with me. l had been with Hugh on many of his cases, both great and small, so I was not surprised when he took it for granted that I would go with him. I nodded, l'm with you, Hugh. Very well. XYe will leave from XVaterloo on the 9.15 in the morning. That will give us plenty of time to find an hotel and get settled before lunch. From there it is only a matter of twelve miles to the house where this murder was committed. Next day, on the train, I asked Hugh what sort of case we were on. Murder, he replied. lt appears that this man Henry Cordon has been shot. I can't tell you any more at present. XYe arrived at the house at about three in the afternoon. It was more like a palace than a house. lt was an extensive three-storeyed building, with beautiful gardens, beyond which could be seen the moors. The ring was answered by a butler, who took us without delay to the drawing room, where we found a sergeant of police, two constables, and a small dark man of about forty-tive, who was introduced to us as Major Handbury, who owned a half share in the house. If you will come into the library, sir, said the sergeant, I will show you the body and tell you the case as I know it. XYe went into the hall and through a door across from the room we had just left. This was oak- panelled, with a large grate, topped by a heavy mantel, about half-way down the room. Qpposite it stood a comfortable chesterheld. At the opposite end of the room was a massive desk. On the ches- 5'tCriminal Investigation Department. 12 terheld lay a man, a bullet-hole through the centre of his forehead. Hugh examined the body and turned to the sergeant. XYhat do you know about this? Not very much, sir, I am sorry to say. I was called by the Major, who said that Mr. Gordon had been shot about two o'clock yesterday afternoon. The doctor said he thought it was a .32 revolver bullet, but that he couldn't be certain. I searched the house and found a revolver, which the Major said was his. I arrested him, because he was the only person besides the deceased who was in the house at the time of the murder, the servants hav- ing taken the afternoon off, and I knew that it wasn't suicide, because there was no weapon, and the man couldn't dispose of the weapon when he was dead. The Major insisted that I call the C.l.D., because he swore he was innocent and wanted it proved. All right, sergeant: I'll look around this room, said Hugh. Hugh examined the floor around the dead man, and suddenly asked the sergeant in what position the body was when found. He was sitting at that end of the Chesterfield, near that standard lamp, sir. Hugh stood for a minute staring round the roomy then he walked over to the fireplace. Here he examined for a long time a fault in the cement about the centre of the mantelg then, glancing up at the ceiling, he walked over to the standard lamp and pulled the chain switch a couple of times. Can you get me a hammer? he asked. Yes, I'll get you one, said the sergeant. In a minute or two he returned with the hammer, and Hugh proceeded: Before I finish this case I should like a word with Major Handburyf' The sergeant' went out and returned with the Major. Major, said Hugh, 'fwhat connection did you have with Henry Gordon PM He was junior partner in a firm of wholesale importers of which I was the head. NVe also owned this house between us and appeared to be the best of friends-although I think he has been trying to dispose of me for some time that he might own the business himself. Wl1at sort of man was he ? asked Hugh. He was a very mild old fellow, but quite absent- minded, replied the Major. CContinued on Page 621

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Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! All ye within the juris- diction of the lfVestdale Secondary School, City of Hamilton, County of XVentworth, draw near and give your attention. Know ye that tlj The above gentleman is named B. S. Lillie. Q21 He is responsible for the successful business management of this and of previous XVest- dale Magazines. The iinancial success of this magazine depends mainly on advertisers. The fact that he has been able to secure suf- ficient advertisers, and to arrange suitable terms with the printer and engraver reflects great credit on his Applied Salesmanship. C35 Vtfe appreciate his work. .: Il? 'G r. , I . SALES SUPERVISORS BIII Walsh, Jeanette Gray, Mary Bilton, Bill Szedor Business Editorial The unsung heroes and heroines ul a niatjaziiit- staff are the members of its Business tfoniiiiittee, without whose carefully-1irgaiiized and long-con- tinued efforts, no school magazine could ever be published. XYc wish therefore, in this, our lllust successful issue of l.e liaconteur, lu pay special tribute to the pupils and teachers whose work was carried on in the business and technical depart- ments of the magazine. The members of the .Xdvertising Committee are: Irene Davis, Marjorie Statou. lireda Cooley, Margaret Carrington, Douglas Mclienzie. Russell Dickie. Many advertisements were also sold by nienibers of the Coniniercial Sales Classesfplioto- graph and names appear on another page. .X great deal of credit is due to the personnel of this group that undertook to raise between S-ltttllltl and S-l5tl.tltt in advertising fees. Theirs is a diflicult and thankless task. The stcnographic work involved in the soliciting of advertisements was efficiently handled by NYilhelmina Koster and members of the Commercial Fourth Year. We are proud to announce that the sale of the 19303 edition of Le liaconteur far exceeds that of any previous publication in the history of XYest- dale. ,leanette Gray and her committee tif Mary llilton, llill XYalsh and Bill Szedor, had complete supervision of magazine sales and distribution. The actual sale of magazine tickets was handled by the Room Representatives and to them we express our thanks for tliorotigli co-operation. Much of the work connected with the publica- tion of a school magazine depends on the facilities of the .Xrt Department and of the l'rint Shop. XYe count ourselves lucky in having secured not only the whole-hearted support of these departments. but the skilful advice of the instructors in charge. XYe are particularly indebted this year, as in previous years, to Mr. Gillan for his untiring ef- the many fine photographs that adorn the pages of forts with his camera. lie is responsible for this magazine: we 'tender our appreciation of his fine work and of his unswerving good-nature in the face of iuaiiy trying situations. The work of the Business Committee does not cease with actual publication: for another mouth, a small group will be busy collecting the money due on advertising material. This important activity will be super- vised by Mr. Linton. Other interests soon will occupy your mind: Le Raconteur for 19336 will gather dust on some forgotten shelf. But to all who contributed to the success of XYestdale Secondary Schools annual magazine, we say, Thanks again. and throw out the suggestion that you carry with you that satis- fying knowledge of aidifticult task well done. 11

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LE IIAITINTEIIII Squid Harbour By Frances Riley AT Nelson knew that she should be back on the boat, but she loved the freedom and strange stillness of these northern waters. She loved Squid Harbour-the most beautiful harbour. she thought, along the entire northern coast of British Columbia. But where did it get its name? Then suddenly she remembered her father. her friend Betty, and Drake, the very attractive en- gineer, who were waiting for her. She really must go back. Swiftly turning her small boat, she made towards the yacht. Iler father chaffed her as he helped her up the side. Young lady, I won't let you go away after dinner again if you don't come home before dark. Some home we live in, returned Pat, laughing good-naturedly, and casting a glance around the yacht. Nevertheless, continued her father, it is dan- gerous for you to go out on these waters at night without an older person. You were so late to-night I was just going to have Drake weigh anchor and sail after you. Pat ducked into the cabin, curled up in a chair, and started to read. Betty, lying comfortably on a sofa helping herself to chocolates from a nearby and very tempting box, offered one to Mr. Nelson as he entered. And, my lassies, what did you to to-day boonied Pat's father, now fully recovered from his anxiety for his daughter. NVell, we went ashore after lunch. Sent some telegrams. VVent swimming. And then, I think, went to sleep, drawled Betty lazily. I went snooping around Squid Harbour, as you know, added Pat, glancing up from her book with a twinkle in her eye. Did you find the tunnel? asked Drake suddenly. Pat sat up immediately, all attention, waiting to hear what came next. Drake spoke so seldom that one expected him to say something important, and his fund of stories was as famous as his silence. Oh, I-,H she stumbled, I didn't find the tunnel. No-but I did find a cave. It was full of barnacles and everything. Squid Harbour Cavern, I guess. said Drake, tying the loose ends of Pat's somewhat inadequate description into a neat knot of certainty. Pat could not help noticing Drake's eyes. They were so blue that even the smoke screen which his cigarette made could not prevent the blue from showing through. Do you know the story of how Squid llarbour got its name? asked Mr. Nelson. No, I was just wondering who gave such an awful name to so beautiful a harbour. l'at an- swered almost indignantly. lletty began to look interested now. She had a hobby connected with names and where they came from. She liked chocolates, but her hobby came first. I was told this story about ten years ago by an Indian guide who came with me on a hunting trip near Squid Ilarbourf' Mr. Nelson had lighted his pipe, and was smoking refiectively. ily the way, the Indians won't cast anchor in the harbour under any circumstances. Thats why I left Running XYater at Victoria. Running 'XYater was an Indian guide who lived on the Nelson estate and accompanied Mr. Nelson on all his trips. Many years ago, some Indians were on a yacht with a Captain Somers. .-X storm came upon them. and the captain, against the wishes of the super- stitious Indians, insisted on casting anchor in Squid Harbour. It was after mess that he went to his trunk to arrange some papers, sat before an open porthole and- Caught a chill, lletty suggested lightly, but Pat silenced her. Several weeks later a search party went after 'The Bonnyf as Captain Somers called his ship. lklith no little difiiculty they broke into his cabin. and fell back horrified. The Hoor was littered with a smashed table, and beside it a large hunk of squid arm. :X squid. you know, he explained meaning- fully, is like an octopus, but the arms come from the head. Then he continued: 'LX blood-stained knife lay by the door and the gory stains around the porthole were in themselves evidence enough of how Captain Somers had been pulled. bit by bit. through the porthole, into the sea. Pat trembled obviously as she cast a fearful glance at the open porthole above her head. Sillyl smiled her father. The last squid was killed over twenty years ago. Immediately Pat put on an air of defiance. as though she dared any squid alive to come and iight with her. CContinued on Page 63D 13