New Britain Herald Newspaper, February 22, 1929, Page 12

The body of “Handsome Harry™ PBorden, promoter of dubious stock pompanies, is found Monday morn- ing by his secrctary. Ruth Lester, sprawled beneath the airshaft win. dow of his private office. The scene of the investigation is the office of the victim. The first suspect ques- tioned by Police Detective McMann is Mrs. Borden, Borden's wife and mother of his two children, who ad- mits calling Saturday afternoon for her monthly alimony check, but de- nies knowledge of the crime. The second suspect is Ruth Les- ter, who confesses Borden's attempt- ed familiarity with her on Saturday morning but insists she knows noth- ing of the crime. However, the pis- tol she kept in her desk is missing. The next suspect is Ruth’s flance, Jack Hayward, whose office is just across the narrow airshaft from Borden's. His pistol, which he pur- chased at the same time he bought a weapon for Ruth, is also missing. McMann strengthens the case against Jack by bringing in Bill Cowan, who tells of hearing Jack threaten Borden Saturday morning. Cowan also tells of telephoning Jack Saturday afternoon, of being plugged in on a busy line, and of hearing Borden quarreling violently, pre- sumably with Hayward. The cvidence of the elevator boys, Micky Moran and Otto Pfluger, is damaging both to Ruth and to Jack. Phillips, waiter, who served Ruth and Jack their Saturday luncheon, is questioned. McMann sends for Min- nie Cassidy and Lettie Miller, clean- ing women for the seventh floor. A plainclothes detective 18 also dis- patched to bring in Benny Smith, Borden's office boy, and Rita Dubols, night club dancer and friend of Borden's. Niclson, medical examiner, calls McMann to tell the results of his examination. (NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY) CHAPTER XXI “Hello, Dr. Nielson! McMann speaking,” the detective sergeant greeted the medical examiner on the other end of the wire. “What's the dope? . . . Fine! And can you tell me any more definitely when death occurred? . . . Hm! Close enough, 1 guess! Let's see—that places the murder hetween two and four o'clock gaturday, eh? . . . Thanks, doc!” McMann hung up the recelver and faced the couple who waited, scarce- ly breathing. “Well, Hayward, 1 dan’t think you'll be surprised to learn that the bullet which killed Harry Borden was the regulation bullet for a Celt's .38 caliber auto- matic. Anything to say now, my ad 2" ) “Nothing—except that 1 did not kill Borden and have no idea who dia,” Jack Hayward answered steadily. “Mr. McMann, please don't forget that my gun was exactly like Mr. Hayward's—a Colt’s .38, and that it ton, is missing,” Ruth begged earn- ¢stly. “Can’t you see that if Jack had —had killed Mr. Borden he would not have disposed of my gun as well a8 his own, because he would know that the absence of my pistol would make suspicion fall on me?” Again that gleam of admiration in the detective's grim gray eyes. “Covey, this is Colby Lester's daughter,” he remarked. with a grin, to his subordinate. “A chip off the old block, eh? . . . Now, Miss Lester, ther just one more ques- tion for the present: did you yourself dispose of your pistol, either before the crime on Saturday, so that it would not be available if Hayward *“We were [ollowed, darting. | had to make you regtat your asturances 1d'me for the benefit o lll:ev:q'm ¢, Wemustn't forget that McMann sl N venient, Miss Lester. ] may need you As a matter of fact, the red-headed to help me go over Borden's private elcvator operator was a much sub- papers. You may go about your busi- | dued youngster, with the fear of the ness as usual, Hayward, but I'll have | law heavy upon him. to ask you to hold yourself available ® .9 N "|ing that the for further questioning." ) “Then I am not under arrest Jack asked quietly, as Ruth drew a sobbing breath of relief. “Not yet,” McMann answered curt- ly. ‘And—and may we go to lunch together?" Ruth begged tremulously, “Sure! Why not?" the detective grinned. “But if 1 were you, Hay- ward, 1 wouldn't forget to tip the waiter this time. Now clear out, both of you, and don't waste time gossip- ing with the reporters.” “Thank you, Mr. McMann!” Ruth cried, tears of rellef quivering on her thick lashes. “I'll wait in my office for you. Jack, till you get your hat and coat.” As she was powdering her face McMann appeared in the communi- cating doorway and spoke to the de- tective stationed at desk. “Phone down to the cafeteria on the corner to send me up a couple of sandwiches, some apple pie, and a cup of coffee, Birdwell. Better have them send up your own lunch, too. T'm too busy to leave here now. . . . | By the way, Miss Lester. I'm afraid T'll have to ask you to stay all after- noon. You undoubtedly know more | about Borden's business and person- al affairs than anyone else." “I'll be glad to stay, Mr. Mann.” Ruth assured him. more anxious than you can possibly be to have this mystery cleared up.” | “Have a good lunch,” McMann called, almost gently, he closed the door upon himaelf again, Biggers, the patrolman stationed outside Borden's offices, proved ex- tremely useful in holding off report- Benny 8mith's | “Where shall we eat, darling?"” Jack asked, when they were upon the street. “Anywhere but the Chester Ho- tel,” Ruth shuddered. “How about | our own little tearoom? But no! We've been too happy there. Let's not go back there until we've waked {up from this awful nightmare.” “Then the Colonnade is as good a place as any,” Jack decided. “I want to talk, and there's no chance in this mob. Since it's a cafeteria, there won't be any waiter hanging over us,” he added grimly, as he guided her through the storm doors, A few minutes later they deposited their lightly burdened trays upon a small table in a far corner of the big, noisy room. Ruth automatically raised a spoon of vegetable soup to her lips, then repudiated it with a violent gesture. “Oh, Jack, T can't eat! Talk to me —say something! Oh—I'm sorry! But—it's been so—so horrible!" Jack Hayward quietly laid down his fork and reached for the girl's twisting, eold hands. “You want me to*say I didn’t do it, don’t you, dar- ling? Do T have to say it in so many words? Well, then, darling—I didn't kill Borden.” “Thank you, Jack!"” Tears welled up in her eyes, splashed upon her pale chéeks. “If you had, I would | have stood by you. You know that, | don’t you? But Jack, who did? And where is your gun? You didn't take 11t home, did you—to have it out of reach, in case— “No!" Jack denied, his hands tight upon hera. “When you first told me this morning 1 thought you had done gt—"* before you realised what you were doing. And I knew that if you had, it was my fault, for having screamed and hurt my lip againat the door, But tell me again, darling, that you didn’t!” ¢ Jack frowned and withdrew his handa, and Ruth knew that he was hurt and angry at her insistence. T did not kill Borden, Ruth, I don't know who did. T wish to God I did know." ~ e o o “Thank you. darling.” she repeat- ed, smiling at him eagerly and not casting a glance toward the man who had followed them along the food counters and taken his seat at the next table. There was no need to look; she knew that his apparently uninterest- ed gaze was upon her and Jack ‘Hayward, that, although he was not close enough to have heard their low-voiced conversation, he had “listened” nevertheless.. For Ruth had recognized in their shadow a man who had testified in one of Col- by Lester's cases, for the prosecution —a detective who was a trained lip reader, 80 that was why McMann had permitted her and Jack to lunch together! He had hoped to get a confgssion in this way, since all other means had failed. If Jack had been guilty—Ruth shuddered to think of the desperate chance she had taken when, know- “shadow” was reading every word that fell from their lipa, she had dared lead Jack into de- claring his gullt or innocence. But it was innocence, thank God! McMann might not be convinced, would not be, of course, but she was, . . . No chance now to expisin te Jack, or|weuld everything would be spolled, “Aven't you going to eat?” Jack asked, a little atiffly. She amiled at him, brillantly, through tears. “T'm not very bungry, but I'll eat one bite for every bite you take. And when we've finighed, we'll talk about the house we're go- ing to bulld in Grandbury. No more murder talk now, darling! We're too wrought up. All that matters is that you didn't do it and I didn't, and we love each ather. . . . Oh, Jack, I do love you 80, éven if you are a hot- headed, detective-baiting young idiot! Come, now! Bite for bite!" When they had finished thelr lunch, Ruth, smiling to herself at the illp-reudin. ahadow's undoubted an- noyance, insisted on taking Jack to see a department store's display modernistic furniture, refusing all the while, with almost hysterical gayety, to discuss the murder or any scrap of evidence that had develop- ed in the morning’s investigation, In the elevator she had a chance to whisper an explanation to her be- { wildered fiance, for the lip-reading shadow had not boarded the car with them: “We were followed, dar- {ling. Thad to make you repeat your assurances to me for the benefit of the detective. We mustn't forget that McMann is clever.” Loving admiration routed the shadow of resentment from Jack's eyes. “You're worth two of him— Colby Lester's daughter!" They parted at the door of Bor- stood in the communicating door: “Clay’s got the Dubols weman. Says he'll have her here in 15 minutes”™ (To Be Continued) What part did Rita Dubcis play in Borden's murder? Don't miss & single chapter of this thrilling mys- tery. Road Conditions State of Connecticut Road conditions and detours in the State of Connecticut made neceasary by highway construction and repairs anpounced by the State Highway Department, as of Feb. 20th, are as follows: > Route No. 8 Danbury-Newtown road, bridge and construction work on new loca- tion, Route No. 6 Brookiyn-Danielson road in the towns of Killingly and Brooklyn i under coastruction. Route No. 10 Middletown-Saybrook road is un-. der construction from Higganum to Haddam town hall. Open to traffic. Bloomfield-Granby road is under construction, but open to traffic. Route No, 17 ‘West Hartford-Avon, Albany ave- nue ls under construction. Road Routs Ne. 100 Mansfield-Phoenixville road is un- der construction. This road is im- pasmable to traffhe. Route No. 133 Hartiand Hollow Bridge is under construction. 8Short detour around bridge. Route No, 136 New Fairfield-Sherman road, ma- cadam completed for ¢ miles. Use old road or new location one mile. Railing uncompleted. Route No, 154 Washington - Woodbury road, bridge under construction at ome place. Railing uncompleted. Route No. 183 Brookfield — Obtuse road, con- struction work commenced. No de- tours. . No Route Numbers Beacon Fall—Pine's Bridge under construction. No delay, Bethlehem-Watertown road, ma- cadam construction completed for 2 miles. Grading completed for one mile, Canterbury-Newent road under construction for 2 miles, south of Canterbury. Grade rough, travel difficult. Granby—S8almon Brook street is under construction, Open to traffic, ‘Weston-Lyons Plains road, steam shovel grading. No detours, Weston-Netwown -oad, steam shovel grading. No detours. ‘Westport — Morningside Drive, grading stopped for present. No de- lay to traffic. East Windsor Locks-Suffield, stret §s under constructien. Trafflo may take goed road through Suffield Ceater. Special Notice Everyone who understands Swed- ish would be grestly benefited to hear Mrs. Engia Lindblad who is now preaching 4very evening at 1:30 o'clock this week in the Bwedish Baptist church at Eim strest. An elderly lady sald Sunday “That was the best sermon ] ever heard.” We wonder what you would say if youw heard her? All welcome.—advt, Ei A Strength-building Food For Feebls People SCOTT’S EMULSION Rich In All Cod-liver Ol Vitamins Soatt & Bowna, Blesenichd, .5 80 M SCHULTE-UNITED:xw. M JUNIOR DEPARTMENT STORES . 219.227 Main St. k- Léw Prices Apecializing §o to *1.00 and New Fresh Merchandise Feature This February Value Giving Sale! MEN’S CAPS Of high grade all-wool materisls —in newest twists, plaids and stripes. 10° 15° 25° 18 pe. Apple Blossom China Set including a large cover- ed vegetable dish. The de- sign is burned in and will Fine cotton brocade bras- siere with a lightly boned disphragm yoke. This is a new feature which makes it suitable for the larger as well as the smaller woman. BOYS' KNICKERS All wool materials—moleskin — corduroy. Full ext. Well sewn. MILANESE VESTS 'With contrasting applique in all pastel chodes. All sines included. Attractive men's Ties. All have fine wool lining. Scores of smart designs in Infants’ 3 pe. set of fine Australian Wool Jacket, Hat and Booties. Shell stitched edges, dainty ribbon ties and embroid- ered trimmings. ASSORTED CAKES Freshly baked crisp cakes offered BOX CANDY forced his way into these offices and quarreled with Borden, or this morn- ing after your discovery of the body, to confuse the investigation with two missing pistols? Just & minute, please! I'm asking that question of the daughter of Colby Lester, the finest and most honorable criminal Jawyer it has ever been my privilege to know.” Color swept from Ruth’s throat to the fringe of curls on her forehead the newest colors. A regular §1 valua. ot far under regular prices. 10° . ers as the girl and her sweetheart waited for the elevator. but not even he could prevent the explosion of a flashlight or two as cameras were aimed at the couple who, reporters knew, were involved somehow in the investigation of the death of “Hand- some Harry” Borden. Ruth was grateful for the pres- ence of other passengers in the car, since Micky Moran was prevented from asking embarrassing questions, notwashoff. A most unusual value. “I”" Ruth cried. Jack nodded, his eyes pleading with her to forgive him. “From some { hysterical things you sald about it being your fault—" “I meant it was my fault that you had killed him,” she interrupt- ed. “T had discovered that your gun was missing. T didn’t know mine was, too. T thought you had quarreled with him when you came back Sat. urday afternoon, and had shot him Unusual at 1 A Special Purchase Brings These Unequalled Values For Tomorrow! Miller's Inc., bring to you a as she drew her small body very erect and faced McMann with wide, unflinching blue eyes. “Mr. McMann, I swear on the name of my dead father, who taught me truth and honor—1 did not touch the gun, T did not remove it, for any reason whatsoever, from my desk, and I do not know where it is!"” ¢ s o McMann gazed keenly into her eyes as she swore her solemn oath, then beckoned Covey to his side. The two men conversed in whispers for a minute or two, while Ruth and Jack retreated, hand in hand, toward the front windows. “Well—12 o'clock! Time for lunch! McMann surprised them both by booming out cheerfully. “I'd like you to be back by one, if con- AMOTHER'S FIRST DUTY should be the care of her little one’s constitutional habits during childhood. Keep your children well and kealthy by giving them Mother ‘Gray's Sweet Powders when they complain of headaches, stomach disorders or are constipated, They break up colds and reg- ulate the bowels. by mothers for over 30 years. “They always give quick relief | rand satisfaction. s ® *Mother Gray's weer Powders L\ ’ .’0. CH:[D. / Recommended | And Now— Faster Telephone Service To Windsor Locks The direct A-B method of calling—by which you now call Hartford, Meriden, Bristol and other points listed on page nine of the Telephone Di- rectory—will be extended to Windsor Locks at 4 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, February Af.ter that time, to make a call to any tele- phone in Windsor Locks, just give the number you want to your local operator; then hold the line until the called number answers or until the operator reports. If you don’t know the number, a§k ".Informa!ion" to look it up for you, and then give it to the local operator. Thig simple A-B method applies only to number calls, in which you give the number and do not ask to speak for a particular person. If you de- sire to make a person-to-person call, however, give the number to “Toll Line” in the usual way. The Southern New England Telephone Co. mew style service formerly enjoyed only in the fashion centers of the world. 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