The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-02-07

saw-Mr. Borden. IL was going TO
feed the pigeons the first thing this
morning because I forgot to Satur-
day and I thought"
What pigeons?"
Ruth's tremulous voice explained:
This is the top floor of the build
ing. A flock of pigeons nest on
the roof and I've been feeding them
at noon for several weeks. IL
was so startled at seeing-Mr. Bor-
den-wben I opened the door that ]
dropped the little glass bowl full OF
crumbs and peanuts"
'Hmml" McMann beetled his eye
brows at her, then strobe about the
room, his eyes searching the floor,
the walls, the desk.
Then, at last, after so long a time
that Ruth felt like screaming to
him to get it over with, he went
and knelt beside the dead mans
body and lifted the outflung right
hand, whose fist, Ruth noticed for
the first time, was clenched con-
vulSively.
stiff" McMann pronounced.
Dead good many hours, I'd say.
Shot through the heart. Must have
died quickly, but DR.. Nelson will
tell us that, Rand" he addressed
one of the policemen-"put in
call for headquarters.
"Tell the chief it's murder all
right, and to send DR.. Nelson over
right away. And. Biggers, you stand
outside the door in the hall and
keep the crowds away. The news
will go through the building like
wildfire, once it gets started. Did
you spill it?" he demanded of
Ruth
She shook her head. 81 told no
one but Mr.. Hayward. I went to
him Immediately after-after I saw
Mr.. Borden Mr.. Hayward has Of
fees on this floor, around in the
next wing. We are-engaged to be
married. That's why I went to
him."
"That So" McMann's little,
squinted gray eyes studies the pair
in the doorway. He seemed about
to ask some question concerning
their relationship to each other or
to the dead man, and then, to
Ruth's great relief, to decide upon
a query of more immediate i'm
portance.
did Borden keep any money or
valuables in the Office? Do you
know what he had on him Satur-
day? Looks lTHe he must have been
murdered as long as Saturday"
81 know that he had $500 in tens
and twenties,"' Ruth answered
steadily. "He had me go to the
bank to get it for him, as he was
going to Winter Haven for the
week lend.
"TIis train was to leave at 2:15.
don't know how much more he
had. I caught a glimpse of vel
loW-backed note in his wallet when
he put the $500 in, but I didn't see
the denomination. He also had a
pair of railroad tickets with a
Pullman drawing room ticket, which
he had had me buy for him.
y
A S she spoke, the detective was
L n searching the pockets of the
dead mans coat, trousers and vest.
Here are the tickets O. K. And
some loose change in a pocket. But
there are no banknotes at all. :.
Hmm! Looks like robbery
There have been number of
floldups in the. building in the last
| few weeks" Jack volunteered.
Some one who knew Miss Lester
to be Mr.. Borden's secretary may
have seen her cashing the check for
$500 and"
"I'll do the maybes on this job,
thanksI" McMann interrupted
narshly. "Now, Miss Lester-by the
way, any relation to Colby Lester,
the lawyer"
Tears sprang into Ruth's eyes.
He was my father"
McMann's glinting eyes were gen.
tie for moment, as they took in the
small figure. "Sorry, Miss Lester!
| I had no idea. Do remember the
boys saying he had a kid mean a
daughter-that he was crazy about.
Nov, child, in your own words,
tell me all you know about this
business. When you last saw Bor-
den, everything of Importance that
had happened Saturday, anything
you can think of to help me-"
'Please, may I sit down-in my
own Officer" Ruth faltered.
The detective took a chair beside
Ruth's desk, making notes on sheets
of yellow paper, as the girl told her
story.
Saturday is always a quiet day,
since it is a half holiday" Ruth
began, her hands tight locked on
the desk before her, her brows knit
in an effort at concentration. II ar
| rived first, at half-past nine, then
Benny Smith, the office boy, came
in"
Where is he now?"
'He hasn't come in yet" Ruth
admitted. "He sometimes soldiers
on the job when he knows Mr.. Bor-
den is out of town. He was to go
away for"
''The boys address," McMann
demanded. pencil poised.
"Why, I don't know Ruth ac-
knowledged reluctantly. II have an
old address on file, but his family
moved the first of January [ told
him to give me his new address,
but someone interrupted, aid IN
sure he didn't"
Guess he'll stroll in later" Nc
Mann dismissed the Office boy.
Nov go on, please. When did Bor-
den come in Saturday."
About 10, as usual. Some woman,
who would not give her name, had
just called for him on the phone,
and told him, describing her voice.
] EIa ktaauz WIN she Was hut he diGa,t