New Britain herald., 1922-02-03
Mabel Normand Last
 To Leave His Home Other Actresses Who Are Questioned in Strange Case Include Edna Purvi- ance and Mary Minter.

Los Angeles, Feb 3.-A half dozen cigarette stubs may furnish the key to the mystery surrounding the mur- der of William Desmond Taylor, noted motion picture director. These half smoked remains found near the back door of his luxuriously appointed residence, according to investigators gave mute evidence that some one ap- parently waited nervousy there on the evening of the murder.
 They link the statements by Mrs. Douglas Mclean, wife Of motion picture actor. that on the evening Of tho murder she heard a shot fired and looking from the window of her home, which overlooks that of Taylor, sa W a man, stranger to her, emerge from the front door of Taylor's home. look back through and apparently speak, close the door and depart.
 Another link is a statement by em ployes at an oil service station nearby that within an hour prior to that time q stranger whom they describe sim ilarly, asked them where W, D. Tay Tor lived and they directed him to the place where the shooting later oc- cured. The crew Of q street car add stinformatior that at time closely cor. responding 10 that which Mrs. Mac i,ean gives as of the depa rture of the mysterious man from Taylor's house, Q stranger boarded the car at a stop close by.
 Mystery Deepens
 These revelations only serve 10 deepen the mystery, for Mrs Mac Lean said the stranger was not the former servant Of Taylor. whom she l-neW and for whom the police are seeking. Taylor reported 10 the po- lice some time ago this man had stolen property and money from him. Tue porch light of Tayor's home was on aud Mrs MacLean observed him in itg full glow.
 The movements of this stranger CO incide with the visit of Mabel Nor nlapd. motion picture actress, to Fay 1or's home on the evening of the mur- der. Taylor escorted Miss Normand sao her motor car and talked a few minutes with her there. The front door of his home was open. 1nvesti gators suggest that the stranger who had been nervously smoking cigarettes while waiting for an opportunity to get at Taylor apparently entered the apartment while the door was open and Taylor was out talking to Miss Normand.
 ,a,orknc on Tax Statement.
 The time Miss Normand fixed as that of her departure closely corre- spends to the time Mrs MacLean fixes as having heard the shot. an indica- tion, possibly. investigators say, that the stranger shot Taylor immediately after Taylor returned to the house and seated himself before his desk to con- tinue work on his income tax state ment.
 Motives Are sought.
 Revenge, jealousy, hate and unan- sweret, love all were considered by the police in continuing their search for the slayer of w. D. Taylor, motion picture director whose body was found yesterday in his apartment here
 While the meagre clues obtained so far pointed chiefly to the commission of the crime by q man the detectives working on the case said they believed it possible that Taylor was killed by a woman. Thelr hunt was largely centered along three lines, it was said The trail of the sllullling figure of man seen around the directors apart ments just before and after neighbors heard d shot in the night; the where I, of for the alleged robbery Of the director and reported to have threatened re- venCc; and the sender of an anony- nous letter in which were enclosed pawn tickets of articles stolen from Taylor.
 May Have Been Soldier
 The officers also had under consid eration q close scrutiny of the life his tory of the director to learn if the crime might have been committed by some soldier due to an ancient grudge as for instance some soldier he might have offended by the application Of military discipline while he was an officer in the British forces during tho war.
 Every person known to have been Tn or near l1e dpdGtfnCn where lay lor's body with bullet wound in the neck. was found yesterday morning has been closely questioned in the search for clues.
 Mabel Normand Questioned
 They range from Henry Peavey. | Taylor's negro houseman to Mabel i Normand, motion picture actress, | while others noted in the film industry | whose names were brought into news papers in conection with the directors death include Edna Purivance and | Mary Miles MiTter, also motion pie | ture actresses.
 Peavey gave the police an account Of his finding the body and Of his spreading the alarm Miss Normand, who was ono of the last to see the director alive told Of a call she made at his apartments Wednesday night In connection with book Taylor loaned her Her chauffeur corroborated her Y account of the visit which included the statement that Taylor had accom- panied her to her automobile when she left. Mrs. Douglas Macl.ean, wife of il film actor. said her maid related having seen a heavy set man. dressed in dark clothes and wearing cap