Evening Star Newspaper, September 8, 1929, Page 64

The Door of Death / /i Zrioen (Copyright, 1929, by North American Newspper Alliance and Metropolitan Newspaper Service.) SYNOPSIS, whose wife, Celia, was er ' the examination, cxpres: doubt, even though Ballion refuses to ac- count for his whereabouts the night of the killing, aLContinued From Yesterday's Star.) SIXTH INSTALLMENT. volunteered but scant infor- mation. He stated merely that his investigations at Greyhouse were over for the present, that no arrest had been made, that he would return tomorrow for the coroner’s in- quest, and that meanwhile the house would be under surveillance. And he spoke in a manner that precluded questions. “I assume,” he went on, “that you, Miss Graham, will wish to leave the house. In that case, please send your new address to my office.” But in this he was mistaken, for she expressed her intention of remain- ing near the body of her sister until the burial. “I could not think of her alone here,” O Eleanor and'Carl Ballion, whom we rejoined outside, Norse | hi found at least a gentle executioner. . ..” she said. “Celia would have wanted me near her. And it's the last and only thing I can do.” The idea of her spending another night at Greyhouse in the vicinity of a man like Francis Ballion seemed to me outrageous, and even Carl looked grave, but Norse apparently was unconcerned. “Yowll be perfectly safe,” he de- clared. “I'm leaving Redsby in the house, and there’ll be several men stationed outside; You need feel no anxiety. And now I'll be getting back to town.” “My car's in the garage,” I said. I'll drive you back.” “And I,” remarked Carl Ballion, “will call at your Sffice a little later, if you don’t mind.” “As you please.” b Having bid good:by to Eleanor—I confess with more feeling on my part than I had any reason to indulge—we were on the point of leaving when_ the library doors opened and:Francis Bal- lion appeared. He had regained something of his former manner, that is, with regard to pride of bearing; but softened now by a cordiality 1 have never seen surpassed. “I could not let you go,” he said to Norse, “without once more extending my thanks. As a doomed man, I found at least a gentle executioner. I trust we shall meet again tomorrow, and I trust you may have good fortune with your problem " Norse had a suite in one ‘of thé municipal buildings—a badroom, Cone sulting-room, library, and laboratory. Hitherto, we had met at the club or elsewhere, and it was the first time I had visited him here. It was Sunday, and an officially leisure day for him, 80 that, as we waited, he showed me about the place. I have always Hield that the analysis of a person's character is to be found in the books he surrounds himself with, ‘His education, personal interests, range, and habits appear more closely reflected here than anywhere else. I was peculiarly struck by the variety of Norse’s reading, for the volumes on his shelves looked worn and intimate, and were not there for show. Outside of law books and works on criminology, which might have been expected to form the professional part of his collection, he secemed, at one time or another, to have gained some familiarity with most fields of knowledge. There were works on medicine, chemistry, and mathe- matics; on history and art; but I was, above all, impressed by the number of volumes dealing with philosophy, folk- Jore, and psychology. , All these were in addition to reference encyclopedias and the usual classics. I noticed, more- over, books in French, German, Italian, and Spanish. “Where,” I exclaimed, “do you find time—" “T don’t,” he interrupted; “I take it. That's the only way to get anything done.” “But I don’t understand, Norse, how this work, for instance, on taboo in the South Sea Islands or Nietzche's ‘Also Sprach Zarathustra’ has any bearing on your profession.” “That,” he answered, “depends on what you think my profession is.” He 1it his pipe, a rare indulgence with him, i for he was a light smoker, and, tossing ded: “If it were long ago. The | catchpoll business depends on luck, and | T've been reasonably lucky—but either you do or ‘you don’t. What interests me really, what is of direct social impor- tance, are the gauses underlying crime, and crime is merely an abnormal mani- festation of life Wwith all its foibles, aspirations and necessities. This leads one anywhere—to Nietzche's superman or the primitive conceptions of religion. “But it isn't as_theoretical as it . sounds. For example, there was Bal- lon's fear re{:rding & door he had built 1 11 his own library: That " .+ As far as my ctical truth—even improbable truthy And that recalls this present case.” “Of Ballion?” “Yes. Because I have a decided feel- ing that here, if ever, we must beware of the obvious. It all looks crystal-clear; & | and yet, from another angle, I'm under the impression tnat it's wrapped up in only transparent cobweb.” “I wish you'd tell me how.” “I will when Carl Ballion comes.” And he changed the subject until a half- hour later, when Carl arrived. “I can’t tell you,” said the latter directly, “how grateful both Francis and Iare. I'd begun to fear that accidental m‘rcumsmnces made it look black for = We were seated in Norse’s comfortable reading room. He relit His pipe before answering. “And so they do,” he confessed; “but there are only two that I take seriously: His relations with his wife and his col- lection of headsman'’s tools. The first implies a motive, the scond morbidity.” “But the glove?” I exclaimed. “That was a precious find. And its value consists in the fact that it was not worn last night.” Carl Ballion leaned forward excitedly. “‘'What do you mean?” “Simply that. It was of stout, thick leather and fdirly new. Not being pli- able, if it had been worn recently, there would have been some rounding of the fingers; but the leather was almost favor. Besides, I don’t believe that he clever at pretense. He seems to me un: usually impulsive, and I think his fear with regard to what is appropriately called the Door of Death is genuine.” “Why ‘appropriately’?” asked Carl. “Because, if there's anything certain in this case, it is that the murderer passed out that way, if he did not en- ter it.” And Norse explained to Cerl the matter of the dust flakes. “But he could not enter,” I objected. “He could, if some one on the inside opened the door or had left it open; at any rate, I'm inclined to believe that this some one closed the door l(fifl him.” “Why?” asked Carl. . “That's a point that Il show you tomorrow at Greyhouse; but I think the evidence is satisfactory. Of course, if demonstrable, the presence of a con- federate within the house itself would be rather against that in favor of Mr. Ballion. There is, however, a counter- balancing indication, which I won't dis- cuss at present, simply because I haven't had time to consider it thor- oughly.” “Quite right,” agreed Carl. “But m: I ask whom you suspect in the house? “I'll answer that with another ques- tion: What do you know about Jacob Hasta?” “Merely that he has always seemed perfectly reliable. Nothing more.” AT o “Y could not let you go,” he said to Norse, “without ence more extending my thanks. As a deomed man, I have flat. Moreover, it was of a size and con- sistency not to slip easily from a pocket. | P! I spoke of the thing as a calling card, and it is one—Frances Ballion’s, which was left, I believe, by some one else.” “Good!” exclaimed Carl, beneath his breath, “good work!” Norse shook his head. “No, it’s not conclusive. I can’t prove, after all, that your brother didn’t have it with him. But there's another thing of like character: The strangling thong, in a conspicuous place. Now two ac- cidents of the same kinds, two damag- ing clues lost near at hand by a person who otherwise showed great ability, be- gin to look peculiar. They begin to look as if they were not accidental. And the shadow of his hat, seen by Miss Graham, might be in the same category.” “You ascribe his absence.from the club then—" I began; but he inter- rupted me. “Yes, I'm coming to that. What earthly reason should Ballion have in going to town except to establish an alibi? If then he refuses to give one— though what his reasons are I don’t know—it would seem a point in his ually his, and equally found |p, iNor:e rapped the ashes from his pe. “I intend to investigate that gentle- y- cluding Eleanor Graham “We mustn’t forget that s! have profited by Mrs. Ballion death.” But when I protested, he reminded me, as Francis Ballion had done, that I also was in the house; and, taking this as a sign that serious discussion wn: past, I got up and and put on my at. “With all respect to Carl here” I said, “your deductions about his brother §eea1 less cogvincing than apparent acts. “I admit it,” returned Norse soberly. “If he would only tell us where he was last night!” Carl, who had sat for a moment lost in thought, answered suddenly: “This evening I'll go to Greyhouse and try to persuade him.” But though I hoped Norse was right, I should have wagered he was wrong. As it turned out, the decision came sooner than elther of us (To be Continued.) NEWS OF THE CLUBS Zonta Club.—At the regular weekly meeting of the Zonta Club Wednesday noon at the Raleigh Hotel, Mr. and Mrs. William T. Pierson gave a delightful program. Mr. Piérson is a composer, s¥er and pianist and also director of a local radio station and Mrs. Dorothy Sherman Plerson sang several of her own compositions. Mrs. Emily G. Dick- inson had as her guest Miss Winnifred Michaelson, ‘who held a fellowship in the Juillard Graduate School of Music in the Redmond House Music School, South Orange, N. J. Mrs. Edith Charlton Salisbury, the ‘Washington Zonta Club’s first president, will speak next week on “What Is the Significance and Real ' Meaning of Zonta?” ‘The Writers’ League meets September 13, 8 p.m., at Mount Pleasant Library, Sixteenth and Lamont streets. The program will include: Stories by M. Hugh Irish, Margaret Bailey and Mrs. Mooney, an article by Marian Usher and verse by Marie Dallas. Any one interested in writing is invited. At the last meeting, Virginia Pat- terson read a story called “My Jimmy,” a tender romance with a masquerading street car conductor as a hero. Fred McLaughlin concluded the program with a strong story, “Josita,” elemental in its sweep of passions and hates, and innovating a new form of technique. Both stories were discussed at length. Chi Sigma Sorority, Zeta Chapter, spent a most delightful week end in [Braddock Heights, Md. This was the second trip of the Summer, the first being spent at Piney Point, Md. An- other week end trip is being planned for October. Although the Summer has robbed Zeta of some of its most active members, with the opening of the rooms September 12, Zeta Chapter expects the co-operation of each and every girl. During the Summer some of the girls have_visited out-of-town chapters and will bring back with them new ideas that will assist Zeta in making this the biggest and best year it has ever known. The Department of Potomac, Wom- an's Relief Corps, had their last eoun- cil meeting, which was well attended. Orders were giving information about the national convention to be held in Portland, Me. this week. A large number of members will attend. . H. Oldroyd has two special filled, Gury, councilor. Mrs. E. Helen Tem- ple, president of Phil Sheridan Corps, No. 12; Mrs, Elizabeth D. Shaw, department president, and many of left Washington yesterday morning for Boston, staying there overnight. They expect to arrive in Portland in time to attend the Woman’s Relief din- ner at 6 o'clock tomorrow night. Tomor- row will be spent sightseeing, and Tues- day the convention will be called to order, when all voting members are ex- pected to be in their places. The Grand Army parade will take place Wednes- _day morning. Phil Sheridan Woman’s Relief Corps met Tuesday night, with Mrs, E. Helen Tempie presiding. 1In the absence of the guard and her assistant, the chairs were filled by Mrs. Olive Johnson and Mrs, Mary Keeler, for absent color bearers were Mrs. Isa- bel Bontz, Mrs. Catherine Burrows and Mrs, Marion B. Parker. Department general orders, No. 4, were read by the secretary, Mrs. Mabelle McDowell. A member from Lincoln Corps, Mrs. y, was present and Department Comdr. Samuel G. Mawson, Assistant Adjt. Gen. Byron W. Bonney, Col. Old- royd and Comrade Convis Parker. De- partment and corps members were week end guests of Mr. and Mrs. Manoly at Sheridan_Cottage, Piney Point Bluff. Among those present were Dr. and Mrs. Cary, Mr. and Mrs, Hickman and large to the convention in The department president, Mrs. that the dele- ‘would September 7. The Grand Army of the Republic and other delegates will leave Saturday on the 4:45 pm. rain to Among TS | getress of the Comedie Francaise, selec Those substituting | p haps, no creature has ever begun to assume the importance of “the star.” Just what makes a star and what keeps that star in stellar repute it might ?:rdl‘:mmmhmmnfintm lzf! ne N u L3 mm;mnummc- tak added No one for a moment to question that Al Jolson had tely and positively earned the title of star, with its accompanying distinction, hn’ before a talking picture was dreamed of. And the unforunate individusl who would ever have had the temerity to predict that Jolson might perhaj sake '.hnm!‘llfl:.ln which '::‘n i dom wor ve been ptly stam) a ninny and cast xng the discard of unlucky prophets. ‘Yet, nevertheless and also notwith- standing, a wee little parcel of four- year-old star dust has turned this very trick, in all probability, and it is not astounded at the inborn genius of the little fellow and its natural respon- that of his elder and more Lee delightful screen comedy, And what is even only met the requirements of his new lnl{ dizzy elevation, but lc'-ulll{-gulm his older and more firmly established companion to higher stellar heights, if you catch the meaning. Davey Lee appears in “Say It With Songs” as & joint star with Al Jolson. And no one who has ever seen and heard it can doubt that it is a power- t | ful combination of stellar greatness. Reasons for Previews. Scnm producers, having borrowed from their brother im- the le[lmx::u suge, ‘Are ly important place vie ich may be likened stage pll{'l out-of-town ut, for it is a sort of barometer to indicate the reception that may be expected from future sudiences of a picture about to be released. A preview circuit has taken shape among California cities where pre-re- lease showings are looked forward to with as much interest as attends the travels of a Belasco play around the North Atlantic lul::llly circuit before the Broadway opening. For example, Fox PFilms are taking several of their forthcoming produc- tions for preview over a route embrac- l.ucniollywwd, Riverside, San Jose, San Prancisco, and even the little com- munity - of Lankershim. The reason for including citles of such different d type, as outlined by Winfield Sheehan, vice president and general manager for Fox, is that the screen presentation in its bid for success must pass the test of a much more varied and all-inclusive audience than sta lay. ‘l“lelepulkml glcmre has contributed to the preview as & cause and as an effect. The enthusiastic lgphuu that greeted the first audible offerings on the preview circuit was one of the determining_influences in the decision to wnnnr:dmu 1929-30 Fox schedule to sound e ; mn roducers also have recognized the doubt of some stage actors that “Blackbirds” Sept. 22 LEW LESLIE'S all-colored revue, “Blackbirds,” which was one of the sensations in New York last season, is booked for the National Theater in Washington for the week beginning Sunday, September 22. Dorothy Fields, daughter of the famous comedian Lew Flelds, wrote the lyrics and its musical score, the work of Jimmy McHugh, has been the talk of New York. Lew Leslie is the theatrical producer who discovered the late Florence Mills and carried her to fame without a rival. His present prima donna is Harriet Galloway and he is wuunf her highly. For the information of those who might be sensitive on the subject, it can be stated that "Bllctkb;rci;" plly‘ehz a continuous engagement of ‘mont at the Liberty and the Eltinge Thea- ters in the metropolis, with a fast-step- ping aggregation of peppy singers, dant and com , and when it Jeaves Washington it will go to for the remainder of the season. It is something unique in the way of theatri- cal fare. o “Passion of Joan of Arc.” JOAN OF ARC is believed to have inspired more great literature than any other woman in history. The most familiar writing about the Prench heroine today perhaps is George Bernard Shaw's play, “St. Joan.” Ana- tole France wrote “The Life of Joan of Arc,” and Schiller “The Maid of Or- deans,” with an interpretation from the German angle. Robert Southey wove it fnto & poem and Gounod used it as the theme for his opera “Jean d'Arc.” Hol- lywood produced the screen play, the Woman " The events that followed Joan's de- parture from Domremy to enlist her services in the cause of the dauphin were glamourous and full of the fortunes of war. But Carl Dreyer, the director of the French film “The Passion of Joan of Arc,” chose rather to depict the’ Jast six days of her life, her trial and death. Six days of simple, sincere drama. In order to present this passional in the most effective way, Dreyer sought acters in the largest ci on the screen. By means of these close- they would be able to give their best pergoml.nm without the stimulus of plause or dlnvrrovnl from an au- znnee. Accordingly, the producers are conducting the pre-release showin, while the film still is in a flexible state. If the reaction is unsatistactory, the plcture goes back to the studio for revision. If the applause meets expec- tations, plans for release can be car- ried forward with confident assurance both on the part of producer and of performer. Perhaps the strongest justification of the preview system as an accurate prophet was found in the case of “The Cock-Eyed World.” It had such a sen- sational reception around the circuit that it was forwarded to New York for its world premiere without alteration. 1Its record smashing performance at the Roxy Theater, where it played to more than 400,000 persons in its first two ‘weeks, is history. As an indication of the confidence aced in the system, Fox officials have our pictures on hand and beyond the stage alterations solely because of the showing made by them in pre- views. They are “They Had to See starring Will Rogers; “Frozen Justice,” starring Lenore Ulric; “The Girl From Havana” with Lola Lane and Paul Page, and “Big Time,” fea- turing Lee Tracy. All elicited an emi- nently satisfactory volume of hand cl.llt’.. on the West Coast preview cir- cul Group on the beach at Santa Thriller of Thrillers. A ‘THRILL is a glorious thing, always provided no evil comes of it. Rowland V. Lee, one of Paramount’s cleverest directors, it is said, had this thought in mind when he started the making of “The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu,” which some critics have de- clared outthrills all predecessors. The good mystery picture introduces its thrills and chills naturally in the un- rolling of its plot. And Director Lee saw to it that Warner Oland’s Chinese mystery story did not lack in this. He lso saw that the nse when the dience held its breath and wonders ‘'what next?” was preserved even to the onica, Calif. and Constance Talmadge. Standing: Gilbert Roland, Norma’s leading man, and Townsend Netcher, husband of Constance. Seated, left to right: Norma © P. & A. Photos. close. He saw, too, that the credulity of the looker-on was not strained. Everything had to be plausible, even if uncommon. Furthermore, he took par- ticular care to see that incidents were not introduced merely because they might shock or thrill, for it was his aim to make every shiver, every scream, every start that originated in his audi- ence come as the natural development of his story. And this, says the press department of Paramount, will explain why “The Mysterious Dr. Pu Manchu” has been called a thriller of thrillers and one of the best mystery pictures that has ap- peared since mystery pictures have been given a voice in the movies. Sl!svlm :!AhYemWA. once & celeb- y of the screen, is as a talkie star in Warner nmm’:‘m o fromm_the playler b mw'uu‘m ," from ay] Allen Woolf, which he used 1n vaudeville. He is sald to his voice reproduces with precision. He is, of course, Japanese, James J. Corbett, the pugilist, also makes his debut in the talkies in the T of an ebony-hued fight- Vitaphone _synchronization. Jim once “acted” for Ziegfeld's Follies. ‘Wonderful are the sound hilosopher, hat will you, is also a singer, they are going to_make him sing in “They Had to See Paris,* his frst talke ing picture. Charles Hackett, grand opera star, and Trixie Friganza of musucal com- edy and vaudeville fame are soon to make short subjects at the Eastern Vitaphone studios. Howard Hughes, president of the Caddo Co., is still filming “Hell's An- gels,” the air picture which is said al- Teady to have cost $3,000,000 and to be still running on a cost basis, now that it is being re-created with sound. Made Million in 3 Years. J!D HARRIS, the enterprising young theatrical producer, who recently announced his retirement—and, inci- who produced “The Page,” the opening attraction at the National Theater, September 16—is re- puted to have made a million doilars during the three years of his theatrical activities and, what makes the story one of greater hope for the yearning and the impecunious, he is said to have operated on borrowed capital. Aladdin in his palmiest days, no mat- ter what kind of a lamp he used, might have envied this effulgent career. And yet there are those who think that the talking movie has put an end to the legitimate theater. Chesapeake Beach. Hundreds are expected to flock to Chesapeake Beach today to take advan- tage of the seaside attractions before it is too late. The Summer colony still is in evidence and the boardwalk is gay with excursionists. Salt-water bathing continues to have its lure. Trout, hard- heads and spot are biting and delight- ing fishermen. Ralph Garren's Caro- linians are supleylng snappy week end music for dancing. Free dancing is on tap every afternoon. The picnic groves offer a beautiful setting for luncheon parties. The boardwalk amusements | continue to run full blast. (Compare its beauty with costly cars SMART, GRACEFUL LINES MAKE THIS LOW-PRICED CAR A STYLE LEADER ups Dreyer seeks to give a penetrating | insight into the character of Joan and het‘judzas. The tempo of the film is m’mlon'l in its majesty, yet dramatic For the part of Joan—after many tests—Mlle. Maria Falconnetti, le.d'm‘{ An Edyar Allan Poe Film. “ Fall of the House of Usher,” Edgar Allan Poe's novel of sadis- tic horror, decay and doom, which sup- ports the feature picture, “The Passion of Joan of Arc,” at the Little Theater this week, was produced entirely in & barn in Rochester. Dr. J. 8. Watson, jr., the producer, is an lml‘ch";lll‘ e pert nter when he is not pract! m e. of home-bulfc sets, movable mirrors, prisms and symbols of various sorts, he wrought his film in a barn near his ome. His camera was a professional model of late make. He developed his own negative and made his prints in the Eastman labora the narrative in the . Dr. Watson condensed in 1,000 feet of fiim the tone, mood and color of the story as told in the language of the film. Prof. H. D. Kitson of Teachers’ Col- lege, Columbia University, is quoted as saying: “The mk::: obvi- ous possibilities in advancing the teach- ing of virtually every subject in the curriculum,” and he added: “With the new school year talking pictures woul be adopted, experimentally at least, b some of the ive colleges - | and schools in the country.” Next Week's Photoplays. ‘FOX—Janet Gaynor in “Four Devils,” a talking picture of circus life. m&m—‘floflqe lx.ue," ; ging, talking picture o college life, !ettp mu- sic by the University of California Glee Club, which will be shown as the next attraction after “Broadway.” - PALACE—Ernest Torrence and Dorothy Sebastian in “Unholy Night,” a Metro- Goldwyn - Mayer - talking production. COLUMBIA—"The Dance of Life,” Paramount’s -Tech- nicolor #smuonu “Bur- ‘NEW SUPERIOR WHIPPET FOURS AND SIXES NLY among cars of much higher price can you find any adequate comparison with the modish and beautiful design of the new Superior Whippet. Sweeping lines, harmonious colors, richness of finish and refinement of detail make Whippet the style authority in its dass. Mechanically, too, the new Superior Whippet offers many features found on cars costing two and three times as much. Whippet is the only low- priced car with a// these important advantages: Full force-feed lubri- cation, silent timing chain; higher compression engine for more speed, power and pick-up; invar-strut pistons; extra long wheelbase; over. size balloon tires; “Finger-Tip Control”; and, if the Six, a seven» bearing crankshaft, WHIPPET 6 COACH DOWN PAYMENT ONLY $305 Bolaes in £2 amy mesthly poymenss. Line inciedes Sden, Coupe, Rosdsier, 135-Tow Track Chamis. A DOWN PAYMENT ONLY Bulenss in 22 sy wosthly poymests. Line imcine Willp-Overlond price . o. b Tolede, Obie and WHIPPET 4 COACH $230 Conch, Conpe, 4-pamenger Compe, Sadan, Do Laws Soden, Readstsr , ¢-pomsnger. WILLYS8-OVERLAND, INC.,.TOLEDO, OHIO SAUNDERS MOTOR CO. Salesroom 3206 M St. N.W. Phone West 0144 WOODSON MOTOR CO. HOOD MOTOR CO. Gordonsville, Va. Silver Spring, Md. SMITH MOTOR CO. Orange, Va. CATLETT MOTOR CO. Catlett, Va. & MONROE BALDWIN Mitehellville, Rasctzr, Collopness Roodser, Cam- Service Dept. 240 Prospect Ave. West 0145 i RRaTEeAg, Capitel Hel WA NER_BROS. Va. cousgL TR AT e