We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
%e Studio Murder
Two conflicting confessions baffle the Hollywood PoliceTry your skill at solving the startling crime and win $3,000
What Has Gone Before
Dwight Hardell, one of the foremost players of the Superior Films Company, is found dead on Stage Six. Hardell, who has played heavies, has been something of a scoundrel in his private as well as his make-believe life. He has an unsavory reputation as a ruthless philanderer.
Chief of Detectives Smith quickly takes over the investigation. The search for clues starts. It is revealed that Hardell and Director Franz Seibert left the studio together at 12:17 a. m. after working together for three hours on closeups in an otherwise deserted studio. It also develops thai Billy West, Seibert's ■ assistant, and Yvonne Beaumont, a French actress, were in the studios on the night of the murder — on mysterious errands outside their film work.
The corotier's examination of Hardell's body tends to show, strangely enough, that the actor must have died before or shortly after midnight. The death weapon was a rapier used in the film scene. This weapon is without finger prints of any kind, although other prints are found on the murder set.
The investigation continues. Now go on with the story.
FOR a moment the president sat looking back unblinkingly into the detective's grey eyes. Then he said thoughtfully, "Four people you say. Veil, there vould be Seibert, and Hardell . . . and maybe Billy Vest, but I do not think so. Seibert sometimes vorks absolutely alone. Veil, then there vould be Seibert and Hardell. That is two. You mean two more besides them, then?"
"I mean four besides Hardell, the murdered man . . ." "You mean four people vere mixed up in that murder? You mean you got four suspects?"
36
"That's more like it, when I identify the fourth . . . who at this point is just 'another woman'," returned Smith.
"Another voman. You haflf then von woman already?"
"Proof positive that Miss Beaumont came out here last night to see Hardell, and evidence tending to show that she . . ."
He was interrupted by Rosenthal, who made a low moan of protest.
"I could not to believe it! You do not know her! No, there iss something the matter vid your evidence!" he stuttered, and then, "And already ve are going to star her! Already ve haff bought a story, just for her, and Bonet is to direct it! Ve haff the news stories in all the papers, last week, and in all the fan magazines . . . ve haff our releases aU set ... I tell you, Mr. Smith, this is terrible! I do not believe it!"
"Sergeant Clancy has the case all cut and dried," said Smith, grinning reminiscently. "To his mind Miss Beaumont is the guilty person. But so far she is really just a possibility." Then he told Rosenthal of the note taken from BiUy West, and written to Yvonne.