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Show ‘ THE CASE OF THE Hotel-Ro om WILLIAM By : Glue HIEF ARSON Investigator Dave Jamieson a RANN (ON Te convinced that the series of will burn four more buildings,” in numerous cities across the coun- five fires that had plagued the message concluded. It was a single sheet of paper, try. Losses from his acts totaled $5 million. Minneapolis ink 19651 was Firemen battling the blaze were baffied. e ILLUSTRATION BY ALBERT MICHINI z He said he knew a lot about folded once, with ragged edges. though he had foundnoevi- a book, and the firebug had torn Apparently it was the flyleaf of causing drafts which would spread dence of any kind of flamfees mable liquid. Thefires had spread rapidly and burned fiercely. In every instance, there had been a strong draft, and Jamieson was certain this was no coincidence. But he drew a complete blank until the firebug himself provided a lead. The arsonist called a Minneapolis reporter to brag of his feats, not only in Minneapolis, but in Philadelphia and Boston. He said it out hastily because no other paper was handy. “Tf this is the fellow who operated in Boston and Philadelphia, it means he’s a transient,” said Jamieson, “and probably lives in a hotel.” The distance between the most recent fire and the post office where the letter had been mailed was just a block; and in that block were several hotels. Jamieson sent arson-squad men to check them. Some time later, an investigator called from a hotel, about half a . tured fire equipment. In his confession, the arsonist said Minneapolis was the only city wherehe had been suspected. Chief Jamieson was responsible for that. He had speculated that the note, which had a red-lined border, was a blank page torn from a Gideon Bible in a hotel room. In the room from whichthe firebug had checked out, there was a Gideon Bible—with a missing flyleaf. Chief Jamieson spread out the note and placed it where the the work of a firebug, even Where wouldthe boastful firebug strike next? Jamieson hurried to the hotel. He searched the vacant room and in a nightstand found damaging evidence. A pickup order went out for.the former occupant, who heard a broadcast about it and unexpectedly surrendered. =a Confronted with the evi found at the hotel, the suspect readily admitted setting the fires in those cities, concentrating on churches, and séhtéls. He had taunted the police and fire chiefs by writing anonymousletters. Now the firebug was in Minneapolis, and he had written another letter. It began: “The following structures were fired by me...” A list of the fires and the methods used to start them followed. “I fires because his father manufac- he even had written letter to the block from oneofthe bigfires, and missing page should have been. fire chief. Meanwhile, checking with officials in Boston and Philadelphia,police learned that a garrulous firebug indeed had operated | said he suspected the occupant of one room had set the fires. “The only trouble is,” he added, “the man has checked out.” The jagged edges remaining in the book and those on the note fitted together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. @ Platinum Banded Monogrammed beer goblets * Serve beerin style 4e ~ Beer has a tir cnoerrewers — ade 2 Detter faste In these” Rollow-etem Heidelberg’ goblets, < " inum and 1d of your set — with arn hospltalty. an ari arist poralte Canntoyour Each goblet holds a full bottle or can of béer (15 ounces! ee eeeyea Svan of ol of cones8 Sone en eae nea een a eas Us THIS COUPONS Saaeeneeennneee 'Meo merbledae Rds Tuckahoe, New York 10707 Please send me__ sets of Heidelberg Beer Goblets Tia as indicated below. 1 i higher SPECIAL: 2 vets for $6.75 plus $1.00 PP & Hdl. Platinum Banded Personalized Set(s) with Name(s) m ¥ ou ‘ers of qual lass-ware. Goblets |il porenedinerosive FinnAvenue shops ape oe Ore gatorsnor yuan painedCometsSee ae 1 hones Frit Payment of $ le enclosed J Street __________________ Pjatinum Banded Monogrammed Set(s) with Letter(s) —— aa One set $4.95 plus 50¢ PP & Hdlg.; ‘Two sets $9.75 plus $1. PP & Haig. (Note: One monogram or one name per set) mea a sassomer teers ean —s icenaTeens You'll be ARMownnnn sates cone, Tuckahoe, New York x - |