The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-02-23
CHAPTER XXI

MI AO0 II T. . e. ", MCNdl4A
AVA called to Ruth, who was
hanging up her hat and coat
you're familiar with Borden's let
ter files, of course. I wish you'c
go through them and bring me
every letter you can find that con-
tains threat of any kind.
"a promoter of his 1lk is bound
to have made bitter enemies, and
don't want to overlook any bets
Also, bring me his Cancelled checks
for the last year. If he has been
paying blackmail to any one I'd like
to know it,
Eyes, Mr.. McMann," Ruth
agreed eagerly. She was grateful
for any task that would keep her
mind off Jack Hayward's almost in
evitable arrest. And her respect
for the detective rose.
He was not letting the blackness
of his case against Jack Hayward
make him indolent or careless in
opening up new avenues of investi-
cations. A detective-McMann; not
just a third degree bully, as she
had feared.
A few minutes later she entered
Borden's private Office, which the
detective had made his own, and
laid two bulky folders before him.
'Mr. Borden, when I first came
to work for him, told me he received
many blackmail and death-threat
letters from ruined investors, and
instructed me to file all that 1 found
in his mail in this folder. He pre-
tended to laugh at them, but I'm
sure he was afraid I think he had
private detective or some sort OF
bodyguard."
McNfann, obviously impressed,
opened the folder and began to
rife through the odd collection OF
letters it contained. "That so?
What gave you that impression Miss
Lester?"
"a big, uncouth- looking man,
whom Mr. Borden called jake
never heard his last name-Was in
and out of the offices frequently
and Mr.. Borden always saw him, .
Ruth answered eagerly.
And if a new threat had been
received in the mail. Mr.. Borden
always called for the folder when
Jake made his next visit. Frequently,
also, when Mr.. Borden was still in
his offices when I left, I saw Jake
hanging around in the hall, as if
waiting to protect Mr.. Borden. A.
least, that is the only explanation
could think of
McMann frowned in intense con-
centration. Then: did this Jake
have a key to the Offices, Miss
Lester?"
Ruth shook her head. "I don't
know. I don't know anything else
about him at all. Of course I never
asked Mr.. Borden any questions,
and he never volunteered any in
formation"
MMANN left the room, appar-
Iva emily to give instructions to
Detective Birdwell in the outer of
flee, then returned and began to
study the letters again. frowningly
Nothing recent here ne said at
last, closing the folder. '1but of
course Ill put a man on this job.
Something may turn up, but doubt
it. Now let's see these Cancelled
checks. You checked his bank state
ments for him, I SUPPOSED"
Yes. 1t was difficult, for he sell
dom made an entry on a check stub,
and when I questioned him about a
blank stub in an effort to keep the
record straight so that he would not
overdraw, he would say. 20, I don't
know! Two or three hundred,
guess. Just charge it to cash.
sometimes ne drew as much as TWO
or three thousand dollars out of the
bank in a single week"
ANY checks to women?" McMann
demanded.
Only to MIS-. Borden" Ruth told
him.
so Handsome Harry was no
woman's fool" McMann approved,
smiling crookedly. Any charge ac-
counts for his lady friends?"
ITO Be Continued