oyable evening with her two sisters.
ey had a light supper and then went
- in the car to the- promenade and
tched the bright lights dotting the
terfront and creating a fairyland of
ilo the wisp”. At 11.30 p.m. she took
- two sisters back to the hotel and then
tted out for the twenty odd mile drive

ne.
ITH THESE sidelights on the Ruxton
nily let us turn again to the grim investi-
tions proceeding north of the Border.

Pouice Get A LEAD

The Dumfries Constabulary were find-
z almost unsurmountable barriers to the
entification of the remains found at
ardenholme Linn. Portions of the brain
om Body No. 1 and portions of the brain,
ng and heart from Body No. 2 were sub-
itted to Dr. A. Scott Dodd, City Analyst
the City of Edinburgh, for a toxicological
amination. No trace of any poison could
- found in either case. Spectrographic
amination of blood from both brains
iled to show any signs of carbon monoxide
yisoning. However, one important clue
as discovered. Both bodies had been cut
) within a few hours after death and the
ood had been drained from all the frag-
ents: This was ascertained due to the
ck of hypostasis, or post mortem staining
-any of the parts. It was also found that
-ath must have occured from ten to four-
en days before the remains were found.
his at least gave the police a lead. The
urders must have taken place between
sptember 15th and September 19th, 1935.
Professor J. C. Brash M. D., F.R.C.S.
d. had made a comprehensive study of the
mains and had been able to effect a partial
construction for the assistance of the
olice within a short time. He found that
ody No. 1 was that of a young female
stween 18 and 25 years of age, but prob-
sly between 21 and 22. She was probably
etween four feet ten inches and four feet
14 inches. Body No. 2 was that of a
male, aged between 35 years and 45
ears. Height about five feet four inches.
[airs from Body No. 1 were light brown
thile some taken from Body No. 2 were
medium brown. Death it was thought,
ad been due to manual strangulation in
ody No. 2, and possibly the same in re-
sect to Body No. 1, although this could
ot be stated with any degree of certainty
ue to the lack of the main portions of the
ody. It was found, however, that in sup-
ort of the theory of strangulation, points
ich as eyes, ears, lips, and fingertips had
een removed. These points frequently
10w discolouration after strangulation.

On October 9th, 1935, the Chief Con-
sable of Dumfries decided to communicate
vith the Lancaster Borough Police regard-
ig the special edition of the Sunday
sraphic of September 15th which appeared
) be the only definite clue to the murders.
Yn the same day, however, one of the
Yumfries Constabulary had drawn the
Yhief Constable’s attention to an item
ppearing in the Glasgow Daily Record

‘OURTEENTH EDITION

regarding the disappearance of a young girl
named Mary Jane Rogerson from the
town of Lancaster. The item also men-
tioned that she had been a nursemaid in the
home of a Dr. Ruxton and had been missing
for about three weeks. While in touch
with the Lancaster Police about the special
edition, the item in the Glasgow Daily
Record was discussed. The Lancaster Police
at once informed the enquirer that the girl’s
father had reported Mary missing on
October first, but had not given the girl’s

of Mrs. Smalley at Blackburn, Dr. Ruxton,
for some unknown reason, took strong ex-
ception to this questioning. The police also
recalled that in the past they had numerous
calls with respect to the Ruxtons and their
marital difficulties. Mrs. Ruxton had left
her husband, but always returned to him.
Strangely enough, when Dr. Ruxton had
called to see Inspector Moffat, he had told
the Inspector among other things that his
wife had left him a fortnight before. He
also invited the Inspector to visit his home,

cee Ip ghtentitsuln =
ei

pail
—— ( UNL
Craycees Lette AC eee

Cele ga CU CEES ‘

Back yard at No. 2 Dalton Square, scene of burning much debris. Fire marks are seen on wall at
right. View of wall on which flames reflected.

description for circulation at that time.
Chief Constable Vann then recalled a
number of other peculiar things that had
happened in the past few weeks. Mrs.
Ruxton had, according to rumour, gone
away somewhere, and her husband had
been to the police several times. It was
strange that on September 24th he had
come to the Police Station and strenuously
objected to his servants being questioned,
alleging that the questioning had been due
to jealousy on the part of other doctors
who were not as prosperous as he. The
incident related to one of his charwomen
who had been questioned in a routine in-
vestigation by Detective Inspector Moffat
of the Lancashire County Constabulary.
This investigation had to do with the death

and told him that the decorators were at
work, and that he had cut his hand in
opening a fruit tin. The Inspector had
been so taken aback at this tirade, at the
first opportunity he made a careful note of
everything that was said.

Net BEGINS TO CLOSE

In view of the new aspect the case was
taking, Mrs. Rogerson was asked for a
detailed description of her daughter which
was communicated to the Scottish police
without delay. This was getting close.
Mary’s mother said that she was 20 years
of age, five feet in height, had light brown
hair and a “glide” in one eye. This at
least partially fitted the description of Body
No. 1. The net was just beginning to close

Page Nine