The Case Of The Barefoot Boys - Robert F. Clifton (christmas read aloud .txt) 📗

“And?”, asked Basham anxiously.

“And we were finally able to gain access to the high school records of the victims. It seems that all four were in the Coin Collectors Club in school. From there we also learned that the club consisted of eleven other students, or a total of fifteen. We then focused on each of those eleven students. None of them come anywhere near the physical profile you came up with. As a matter of fact most of that group were freshmen, small built and I would say frail. That left us looking at the remaining member of the club. The teacher.”

“Ah, I see. Please go on,” said Basham.

“Rather than approach him immediately we placed him under surveillance. We figure him to be about in his forties when it comes to age. He is approximately six feet tall and weighing between one hundred and ninety to two hundred pounds. He's balding and I think you will appreciate this. He smokes cigarettes.”

“Why would I be interested in that fact?', asked Alistair.

“Because every time he places or displaces the end of a cigarette in his mouth he uses his left hand.”

“By Jove, that is good news. I believe you've got your man Sergeant.”

“Not so fast Doctor. I still lack a motive. True, he definitely knew the boys. Why would he kill them? Certainly not for a pair of shoes”, said Baxter.

“I agree. At the same time I learned recently that wearing the loafer shoe without socks is the style or fad now days in America”, Basham replied.

“Yes, the Penny Loafer. Practically all teenage boys are wearing them,” said Baxter.

“What did you say? Did you say Penny Loafer?”

“Yes, why?', asked the Sergeant.

“That's it. That may be the connection. Please explain further this fad or thing called the Penny Loafer.”.

“I'll tell you what I know and that is the shoe actually originated back in the nineteen thirties. They were originally called, Weejuns. The shoe had a strap across the top of the shoe for style purposes as a loafer it had no buckles or laces. The strap then as it does now has a split design that is supposed to look like a pair of lips. This opening in the split strap allowed those interested in doing so to insert small objects for decorative

reasons. Things like pennies.”

“Things like pennies. Smashing! Simply smashing! Do you see the connection? The killer is not after the shoes of the victims. He's after the pennies that had been placed in them”, said Basham.

“But why? Why kill four young men for mere pennies?', asked Baxter. “It doesn't make sense.”

“It does if the pennies aren't mere pennies but coins of value. Come with me. We will speak with the curator of the University Coin Collection. Perhaps we will learn exactly what penny is valuable enough to kill over.

Later that evening at dinner Basham raised his glass and said, “Here's to you mate. I'm sure that tomorrow at this time you will be celebrating the arrest of the teacher. I never did ask you his name.”

“Sass, Raymond Sass. He teaches history, but also was responsible for the extra curriculum activity of the Stamp and Coin Club.”

“So, it appears that your Mr. Sass either had or knew who did have a 1943 copper one cent piece, minted by mistake and worth thousands of dollars,” said Basham.

“That's the way it looks. From what we've been told the thought is that when the United States Mints changed from producing copper pennies to making steel pennies in 1943 some amount of copper was still in the presses. When production began several pennies were made of copper and not steel. Today, it is estimated that the coins, now being considered rare and worth $27,000.00 each will only increase in value.”

“So, right now in 1950, two coins would be worth somewhere around $54,000.00. Three coins $71,000.00 and we don't know how far it will go,” Basham added.

“ One thing we do know. If Sass didn't find the pennies he would still keep looking for them and killing for them. I'm taking him off of the streets when I get back to the city.”

“Jolly good old boy. My congratulations on a fine piece of police work. I'll say good by for now. There's no telling when or even if I shall return to Atlantic City. Actually, I'm about to make my arrangements for traveling back to England. At any rate I sincerely hope that we can and will stay in touch. Take care of yourself mate”, said Basham as he shook hands and hugged Alan Basham.

*****************

Basham looked at Joyce who sat silently on the couch.

“Well now, I see that you are still in a bit of a dither. All summer classes end tomorrow. As a matter of fact I've begun to pack. Although I will admit that I still have to make traveling arrangements,” said Alistair, breaking the silence.

“Is that so difficult?”, asked Joyce.

“Oh yes. I don't know if I should fly or go on the Queen Mary,' he answered.

“Why in the world would you go by sea?”

“In my way of thinking it would make a nice three day. crossing honeymoon.”

“Joyce sat up suddenly. “Are you asking me to marry you?”

“Why not. I enjoy your cooking. You're an paleoanthropologist who is use to working with old bones and fossils. I'm sure I meet the qualifications of an ancient man. Well don't sit there with your mouth open give me your answer woman.”

“Yes, you old fool. Of course I'll marry you. Forget about the ship. We'll fly home. That way I get to see the house in Harrow. I already know that I'll have a lot of redecorating to do. And, by the way, as a paleoantropologist I have handled old bones. Now, as a married woman as well as an anthropologist I'm very certain I'll be able to get life into an old relic.

Publication Date: 04-10-2016

All Rights Reserved