New Britain herald., 1927-11-07

! She was silent for some time, hel 1 brOws contracted.
 "Once ] saw him take off his wig 1 and show if 10 Colonel Ostrander i an elderly gentleman who used tc call here very often. But Colonel ] Ostrander was an old friend of his He told me they lived together i Cncc." ] ''No one else?" i Again she froWned thoughtfully
 "No," she said, after several min utes.
 "What about the tradeSpeople 2" ] He was very particular about i them. And strangers, too. she added. "Whon he used to sit in i here in hot weather without his wig. he always pulled the shade on that Window." She pointed to the one nearest the hallway. You can look in it from the steps,
 I'm glad you brought mp that point,' said Vance. And anyone standing on the steps could tap on the window or the iron bars, and attract the attention of anyone in this room ?''
 "Oh, yes, sir-easily ] did it my self once, when I went on an errand i and forgot my key" Its quite likely. don't you think, that the person who shot MT. Ben son obtained admittancc that Way?"
 "Yes. sir" She grasped eagerly at the suggestion.
 That person would have had to know Mir. Benson pretty well to tap on the window instead of ringing the bell Don't you agree with me, Mrs. Platz?" "Yes-sir." Her tone was doubt full: evidently the point was a little beyond her. , If stranger had tapped on the window would Mr. Benson have ad mitted him without his toupec? ?'
 "Oh, no-he wouldn't have let a i stranger in
 "You are sure the bell didn't ring l that night?" 1 "Positive. sir The answer was very emphatic.
 "Is there light on the front steps?"
 "No. sir" If Mir. Benson had looked out of the window 10 see who was tapping, could he have recognized the person at night" The woman hesitatcd.
 "I don't know-I don't think so.'
 "Is there any way you can sec through the front door who is out side, without opening it?' "No. sir. Sometimes r wished there was.'
 "Thcn, if the person knocked on the window. Mir. Benson must have recognized the voceo''
 "It looks that way. sir
 And you're certain no one Coull have got in without key'"
 "How could they? The door locks by itself"
 "Jts the regulation spring-lock, isn't it?"
 "Ycs. sir
 "Then it must have 2 catch you can turn off so that the door will open from either side though it's latchcd.'
 "It did have catch like that" she explained, but Mir. Benson had it fixed sos it wouldn't work. He said it was too dangerous, T might go out and leave the house un- lockcd.'
 Vance stepped into the hallway, and l heard him opening and shut ting the iron; door.
 "Yonrc right. Mrs. Plat2," he ob- served. when he came back. Now tell me: are you quito sure no one had q koyH'
 "Yes. sir. No onc hut mc and Mir. Benson had a key"
 Vance nodded his acceptance of her statement.
 "You said you left your bedroom door open on the night Mr, Benson was shot. . Do you generally leave it opon?"
 "No, I most always shut if. But |: was terrible close that night
 "Thon it was merely an accident you left it open ?'
 AS you might say"
 "It your door had been closed as usual could you have heard the shot. do you think?"
 If "a been awake, maybe. Not if l was sleeping. though. They got heavy doors in these old houses, sir"
 And they're beautiful, too, com menIed Vance.
 He looked admiringly at the mas sivr mahogany double door that opened into the hall.
 (TO HE. CONTINUED
 There are about 20.0o0, 900 chill dren in the public schools Of the United States.