New Britain herald., 1925-12-02

another dame, and plugged him."
 What sort of a creature do you suppose she'll be-" asked Barbara.
 Bob looked at her with a pitying air. "Well," he drawcd, "I never heard of murderers belonging to any distinct race of animals. She'll be an ordinary human being, l guess"
 Barbara caught the sarcasm in his voice. She fell silent.
 They were speeding now through the foreign quarter of New Britain. Groups of men stood about on the street corners, talking quietly.
 Murder always brings out a lot of these night hawks" remarked Bob. "They like to stand around and gas about the murderers and hint at Improvements they could make on lis method"
 You see," he continued, philo- sophically. "the trouble with the laws and the courts and the rest of society is that they don't realize that murderers are just human beings.
 "I never cover murder trial without thinking all the time while the judge sits up there so grave and the jury so snug, But for the grace of luck, there goes any of you.' There isn't man in the world, or maybe q woman, either who wouldn't kill under certain circum- stances. If fellow gets through life without meeting those circum- stances, he ought to feel darn thankful---not virtuous."
 T don't see that" protested Bar bara. Tt is so easy to live within the law. and keep tight grip on your passions, that there isn't much excuse for murder. People let their emotions get the upper hand, instead of keeping their minds in control. That's all."
 Bob looked at her. "Well," he said, you're talking like new girl reporter now. You just don't know what you're talking about"
 The racing car stopped in front of an old brick building a block long, which was divided into separate apartments by numerous wooden stairs descending directly to the sidewalk.
 Barbara hesitated a moment as Bob started for the steps. He paid TO attention to her reluctance, but grasped her arm and ran. Tho rickcty wood of the staircase creaked and gave under their feet. A knck on the blackened door brought instant response. Standing just in side when the door opened, was a broad -sh6uldercd policeman.
 Hello, Charley" cried Bob, and crushed past him, dragging Barbara by one arm. The long narrow hall was bordered on the right side with q row of closed doors.
 Bob paused by one of them and shot an inquiring glance at the off ccr who nodded in reply.
 Barbara followed Bob into the room. It was almost filled witt tables and chairs, stacked upon eacf other. On q bench by the window lay something covered with { blanket. Barbara turned her eye!
 Then she saw an alcove. In it sal a woman, with her back toward the door, She did not move as they en- tered. But the door behind then burst open again.
 Barbara turned In time to sec { large woman in spangles swaggeI into the room and up tc Bob. Hel face was caked with powder an( rouge and siX-inch earrings dangleC from her ears 10 her shoulders. Sh' began to swear at Bob, with a flow of language that both mortified ant fascinated Barbara.
 You young cur" screeched thu woman, all her spangles shaking Get out of here. You cant but into my place of business and snool around, SOS to ruin my repuutatiol by your dirty paper. Get out an' get fast!"
 The policeman thrust his head il the door. Pipe down, old lady" h. said. We've got the goods on vol this time. Best come along quietly.
 The woman turned, glaring a him; but she went out of the room without another word. The office winked at Bob, and beckoned t him.
 Barbar found herself alone in th room, with the blanket-covered bod and the silent woman in the alcoVe The stiffness was unbearable.
 Pardon me-" she said, advancinl