The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-03-08
CHAPTER XXI Continued

His MOTTO seemed to be Arrest
somebody nybody-and find out
the truth later" In this particular
case, Jack Hayward would undolibt-
eoly be the victim Of Commissioner
Weeks avid appetite for newspaper
praise.
Fifteen minutes later, as she sat
at her desk, trying to concentrate
upon the thick sheaf of correspond
ence addressed to man who would
never read it, Police Commissioner
Weeks arrived.
Ruth knew the commissioner per-
sonally. In the old days, before her
fathers death, Weeks had occasion
ally dined with the famous criminal
lawyer, Colby Lester. She rose and
faced the tall, lean. distinguished
looking man who had barked out
a curt greeting to Detective Bird
well.
How do you do, Mr.. Weeks?" she
faltered, trying to make her trem-
bling lips smile naturally. 81 Won
der If you remember me?"
LtEht sprang into Commissioner
Weeks cold eyes, a broad smile
flashed suddenly beneath his stubby
white nuStache. Remember you,
child?" he exclaimed cordially, TAX
ing her cold little hand in both
his.
who could forget your pretty
face? You're Colby Testers daugh-
ter, Of course. And while I'm
mighty sorry that you're dragged
into this miserable business, I'm
glad to see you again. How are
you, my dear?"
well, and-very happy" Ruth
answered steadily. "You see, Mr.
Weeks, I'm engaged to be married
to man love with all my heart
Mr.. John G. Hayward. I'm going
to invite you to my wedding"
Hayward" the commissioner
repeated, his eyes going cold and
pale again. isn't that the young
man? Oh, hello, NclMann! I'm
renewing an old friendship with
little Ruth Lester"
a n
y UTH sank slowly into her chair
~ as the two men-the detective
sergeant in charge of the inYestiga-
tioh into the murder of Henry P.
Borden, and Police Commissioner
Weeks-passed into Borden's pri-
yate Office and closed the door be-
hind them.
Had she helped or injured Jacks
chances by her desperate, indirect
appeal to a man who had never
been known to permit friendship to
interfere with the performance of
his duty? Well-and her body
sagged tiredly-she had done her
best for Jack. -.
The next hour was nightmare
of suspense for Ruth Lester. From
five until six o'clock the rumble Of
voices, sometimes loud, the words
almost Ineligible, sometimes low
and earnest, came to the girl
through the closed door.
There were infrequent Interrupt
tions, when Birdwell received re-
ports from headquarters or other
detectives working on the case,
which he had to relay to his super
iors closeted in Borden's private
office.
From these one-sided telephone
conversations which Birdwell car
ried on at Benny Smiths desk,
Ruth learned that Cleo Gilman had
not yet been found, that no in
formation at all had been CLEANED
as to the present whereabouts of
Jake Bailey, the murdered mans
bedyguard, that Benny Smith, per-
naitted to return to his home, fol-
lowed by a detective, was so i'll that
a doctors car had been parked be-
fore his home for more than an
hour.
At 6 o'clock came the order which
Ruth had been expecting and
dreading. MeMann, looking pale
and harrassed, opened the door and
spoke sharply to Birdwell: Get
Hayward-and Rita Dubois. Rita's
in Covey's charge, down the hall.
Wen have Hayward in first. Miss
Lester will answer the phone if it
rings while you're gone"
The phone didn't ring during the
detectives absence. Ruth, standing
trembling beside it, wished it would
that something would happen to
make those long minutes shorter.
At last the door opened and Jack