THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUARY 2, 1940”-
REAL LIFE. DETECTIVE TRIUMPHS
THE BLACK TRUNK AT
CHARING CROSS
One of the most perplexing mys-, he had sold to a man. By rare terles ever handled by Scotland Yard a bootblack picked
came with the discovery that a black trunk which had been checked at Charing Cross Railway Station in London on May 10, 1927, contained the dismembered body of a woman.
Chief Inspector George Cornish was put on the job, but before he finish-❘ ed half the force was helping in one way or another and many hundreds of persons were questioned.
The trunk had the letter "A" on each end and a sticker label on the inside read "F. Austin to St. Lenards." Bloodstained clothing was marked "P. Holt" and there were laundry marks of "447" and "581."
The three first steps taken were to: 1. Have pictures of the trunk print- ed in all of the newspapers.
2. Investigate all shops selling sec- ond-hand trunks.
3. Interview all taxi and bus driv- ers in and around Charing Cross.
The clothing was traced to a family ramed Holt. Mrs. Holt Identifled the body as that of a woman who had
-By- GEORGE BARTON
worked for her as a cook under the name of Mrs. Roles. Thereupon Sup- erintendent Hawkins and Inspector Wensley joined Detective Cornish in running out the main leads. By tracing the movements of "Mrs. Roles" and contacting persons who had known her It was found that her real
had been married to an Italian walter from whom she had separated.
TRACING A TRUNK Eventually a second-hand dealer Inf Brixton recognised the trunk as one
luck
up a cloak-room
ticket in the street which proved to be the very one that had been issu- ed for the black trunk.
The biggest clue came with the finding of a bus conductor who had helped a man to get an empty trunk off his bus at Rochester Road the day before it had been checked at Charing Cross. There was a row of business houses there. Scotland Yard men fairly swarmed through these buildings and they finally found а janitor who had seen a black trunk standing outside the real estate office of John Robinson.
Sergeant Clarke searched the office minutely and amid the rubbish in a waste basket he found a discoloured match stick. Nothing could have seemed less important, But examined by a chemist at the yard it was proven that it was blood stained.
In the meantime a linen duster had been found in the fatal trunk. When cleaned it showed the word "Grey- hound." There was a hotel by that name in town. Inquiry proved that
Robinson had once worked there as a bartender. Later a typist was located who had worked for Robinson. She testined that she had seen the duster In his office.
MATCHING THE EVIDENCE
memberment was made Was found buried under a tree on, Clapham Com- mons.
The work of covering up all traces of his crime had meant much patient planning on the part of the super criminal. But he had overlooked one tiny thing and that was the discolour- ed mutch stick which he had careless- ly thrown into the waste basket in the corner of his office. It was this, aided by the brains of Scotland Yard, that sent John Robinson to the gal- lows.
G
NOTICE
Hong Kong Water Supply.
He was arrested, taken to the Yard, and confronted with the evidence. After some sparring he confessed that he had met the woman in the street, had taken her to his office. During a quarrel he had hit her and she fell down, striking her head on a chair.
It is hereby notified that a Finding her dead he was panic-strick- en and then conceived the idea of
constant supply of water will carving up the body, thrusting it in be given in all districts from the black trunk and checking it at 5.00 a.m. on February 6th. to Charing Cross.
All of this sounds simple enough, 12.00 p.m. on February 8th., but the task of putting all of the in connection with the Chin- pieces together and completing the pic-ese New Year Festival. ture involved many days of dogged | labour on the part of many men. Each bit of evidence fit in perfectly with the other and in the end the carving knife with which the dis-
FRICTIONS LIKELY TO CONTINUE
"
(SPECIAL TO CHINA MAIL")
Washington, To-day.
name was Minnie Bonati and that she DIPLOMATS CONSIDER THAT the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Arita's speech has brought nothing new and merely outlines the Japanese foreign policy which is identical with that pursued by the previous Cabinet. The general belief here is that Japan will be compelled to maintain her military occupation of China for many months, hence frictions between the Japanese authori- ties and foreigners are expected to continue. Havas reports from Tokyo that the general opinion
that Admiral Yonal's Cabinet is having an easier time with both Houses.
HI, FOLKS!
We're millionaireä now and am I the all- American playboy! Gat set for some grand fun!
6th BIG HIT!
THE HARDY'S RIDE HIGH
with
HICKEY
LEWIS STONE - ROONEY
CECILIA
PAY
PARKER HOLDEN Bareen Play by. Agnes Christina Johnston, Kày Van Riper and William Ludwig Directed by GEORGE B. SEITE
TO-MORROW
QUEEN'S & ALHAMBRA
is
* The Minseito Party has decided to openly support the Cabinet while the Seyukai has seemingly adopted a favourable wait-and-see attitude.
Parliamentary opposition is expect- ed to come only from the minor parties of which the most important is the pro-Fascist Tohokal Party which vio- lently opposed any pro-British or pro- American policy.
Meanwhile, Admiral Yonal's po- licy will be centred around three main points, namely, disposal of the China Incident, adjustment of International relations, and Im- provement of the economic situa- tion.
are
Financial circles, especially, anxious that the new order, presided over by, Wang Ching-wel, should be- come a paying proposition.
ABE'S PRINCIPLE
As regards international relations the Cabinet, apparently, intends to fol- low General Abe's principle of "auto- nomous diplomacy," meaning now a "Afty-Afty basis," that is, the...pos- sibility of a compromise with Britain and America and, at the same time, launching a new form of pro-German policy through rapprochement with the Soviet acting as the go-between for, Tokyo,and; Berlin.
As regards the domestic and, cially, the Beonomic, situation, nażde Anite programme is seen but the hainy apparently wishes, to closely</ pate in this although, as yet, it has made-no:suggestions. --- Havas.
andTM
DOLLAR
on the Hong Ko
uoted at 21:3/4 forward.
The London on New York rate vens – quoted; at: £—U.8$4.025 and. the New Yorkc. on London rate at
THE CIRCUS
A large crowd of Chinese and for- eigners witnessed the opening of Iscko's Grand Olymple Circus at Mong Kok last night, when several new items was performed.
The "Human Cannon-Ball” act, in which a man is fired from a huge cannon, landed safely on a net. Among the acrobatic thrills, outstanding were the balancing per- formances of Miss Natasha on a wire- rope. They were unusually clever and received great applause from the audience.
•
the
The clowns, "Koko" and "Popoff," as with usual, caused the house to rock laughter.
There will be special matinees on Saturday and Sunday and during the Chinese New Year holidays.
BE EFFICIENT !
A clear head and a quick intelli- gence, two important attributes of the efficient worker, are the result of a clean healthy system. free from any accumula- which causes liver- I'tion of waste matter
fishness, 5 biliousness, headaches, indiges-
A. B. PURVES, Water Authority. ' Public Works Department, Hong Kong, 1st Feb., 1940.
NATURALIZATION
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that LEO ANATHOLY BORISOFF of Police Headquarters, Hong Kong, is applying to the Governor for naturalization, and that any person who knows any be granted should send a written and signed statement of the facts to Colonial Secretary, Hong Kong.
reason why naturalization should not
PUBLIC AUCTIONS
the
The Undersigned have received in- structions to sell by Public Auction on Saturday, the 3rd. February, 1940 at 11 o'clock at their Sales Room, No. 2 Connaught Road, Central, 2nd. Floor, Room No. 205.
"The Undermentioned Cars:
1 1930 Buick Sedan.
1 1934 Ford V8 Roadster. 1 Humber Snipe.
2 Morris Major Saloons.
2 Morris Major Tourers.
1 Studebaker Sedan.
1 1936 Terraplane Sedan.
1 1938 Vauxhall Saloon.
2 Vauxhall Saloons.
1 1935 Willy's "77" Saloon.
1 "Skoot-mo-bile" Motor Scooter.
1 1935. Morris "10" 4 door Saloon,
1 1932 Buick Sedan de luxe.
1 1938 Vauxhall "14" Saloon. 1 Fiat Coupe.
and
1 1935 Ford V. 8.
On View: On day of Sale. Terms: Cash before delivery. LAMMERT BROS.,
Auctioneers. Hong Kong, 31st January, 1940.
The Undersigned have received in- structions to sell bý Public Auction on Saturday, the 3rd February, (1940 commencing; at 13:00ɛairs... at their Sales Room, No. 2 Connaught Road, Ct. (Room No: 205, 2mb Bloor). A QUANTITY OF HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE.
Terms: Cash on Delivery.
LAMMERT BROS.,
Auctioneers.
Hong Kong, 2nd February, 1940,
Monday, the : 5th/ɗFebruary, 1940)
...commencing at 11.00 am
tion and other health disturbances.
The Undersigned have received 'in- As an aid to efficiency therefore, Pin-structions to sell by Public Auction on kettes, the dainty little laxative pills, are just what is needed. Mild, yet thorough in action, they dispel consti- at their Sales Room, No. 2 Connaught keep you cheerful, alert and Road, C. (Room No. 205, 2nd Floor), kben. Equally good for men and wo
chemists can supply them.
A QUANTITY OF MECHANIGAL TOYS AND SUNDRIES. PINKETTES- Terms: Cash on Delivery.
men..
Loop you. Well and Energetic.
EAM MERTKE