New Britain herald., 1929-03-14
THIS HAS HAPPENED


 Ruth Lester, secretary. finds the body of her employer. Handsome Harry Borden, Monday morning, sprawled beneath the airshaft win dow of his pirate office.
 McMann. detective sergeant ques- tions the following suspects: Ruth. Mrs. Borden. estranged wife of Bor- Borden and mother of his two children: Rita Dubois. night club dancer, with whom Borden was in fatuated: and Jack Hayward, Ruth $ fiance, insurance broker with office directly across the narrow airshaft from i'orden's.
 McMann's belief in Jacks guilt is strengthened by his discovery that Jach's Colts 80 is missing; by Jacks own admission that he re- turned to inc seventh floor Satur- day afternoon. and by the testimony Of elevator boys Micky Moran and Otto Pflnger. Bill Cowan. Jack $ friend, tells McMann he heard Jack threaten Bordcn's life.
 Jake Bailey, Horden's bodyguard, Is sent for. Meanwhile McMann quizzes Benny smith, Borden's office boy; Ashe, his manser>ant; Minnie Cassidy and Lefty Miller. seventh floor scrubWomen, and Cleo Gilman. Borden's discarded mistress. Cleo gives an ironclad alibi. McMann eX- ulls when he finds a fresh scar in the brick wall outside Jacks win dow and flattened bullet on the cement seven flights below. He says Borden fired the bullet in self-de- efnse at his murderer who stood in Jacks window
 Martha Manning. mother of Bor- dcn's illesitimate son, is brought into the investigation by Ruth Les ter McMann mercilessly questions her about her relationship with Porden. Then he fires at her: "Whcn did you last see Harry Bordcn?' NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHATTER NNNNIII
 'l have seen Nr. Borden num- her Of times during the fast few monfhs-at a Gi-t...--~r Martha Manning answered the detective & rgeants question.
 "You mean you followed him ehont?' McMann bounced.
 Martha Manning smiled strange ly. and dl uot answer. But she ta1npcd out her hall-smoked cigarct in the ash tray which stood on Bor- i,.p'n .l | into her lap -- as if she could not trust one of them under the picrc- ing eye of the detective.
 'I ask you again, Miss Manning when Was the last time you saw Harry Borden?" McMann asked with angry impaticnce.
 My last - interview with Mir. fordrn was on Christmas Eve. I'm afraid took rather an unfair ad- Vantage of his manserNant's care l'ssness - as he has proba bly told you - and succeeded in speaking with Mir. Eorden."
 'Ah.' McMann raised his bushv hrows. And what was the purpose and tue result Of that impromptu interview. Miss Manning""
 As 10 the purpose of that inter- view. decline to answer. It's resul, 3op undoubtedly know already" the "'UGn answered calmly, but Ruth 'l' her hands Were gripping each 'o'r tightly in her lap.
 N"Nann laughed, an ugly sound. "loute . cool one, all right. 1'S. fhe man Ashe has told us that Hpi and Borden, in the presence Of Jake Bailey, Borden's bodysuard had 2 row, that ended in fight in winch you were almost knocked out ] see tho cut on vour lip has healed. You tried 10 kill your lover then. didn't you?--and didn't quite make a job of it."
 The woman's great dark eyes flazed with scorn. May l reminl you that it WAS l and not Mr. Ror- den, who Was injured in that en- tounter?
 "Bnt'-McMann leaned forward toward her across the desk. his eyes narrowed 10 sits - you've hated him and planned revenge ever since that night That's true, isn't it?"
 No.' The denial rang out sharply then, in q voice that quiv- cred and broke with emotion: "I loved him. l loved Harry Borden from the day ] met him till the day h" died. l still love him-wherever he Is now, and will love him till l die"
 ne detective settled back in his chair, regarding he trembling wo- man with that twisted smile of his Which Ruth Lester longed passion