New Britain herald., 1929-03-02
THIS HAS HAPPENED

tlnQS nl9 DoCy efio"iee the airshatt window Of his private office.
 McMann, detective sergeant, con- dpcts the investigation. Mrs. Eliza heth Borden, estranged wife or the promoter and mother Of his two children, is the first suspect. she admits having called on him satur- ,iay afternoon for her monthly ah- mony check but insists he was allVe when she left him, The next suspect is Ruth Lester, who admits bordehs annoying attentions on saturday morning.
 lack Hayward. Ruth's hance' with office Just acr0ss the harfo" airshaft from Borden's private or flee. is the next questioned. He saI he returned to the seventh floor Saturdav afternoon 10 get his ana Ruth's matinee tickets left on ms desk, Suspicion IS further thrown on lack by the testimony Of Mlchy Moran and Otto Pfluger, elevator bows. and Bill Cowan. friend, who els of Jacks threat against Bof- dan's life when he saw Borden struggling with Ruth in the opposlte office.
 NIcMann sends for Minnie Cassidy and Lefty Miller, seventh floor scrubw omen. and Cleo Gilman, bor- den's discarded mistress Meanwhile Rita Dubois. night club dancer, ad- nits her call on Borden Saturoay afternoon but insists she left hlfn alive. Ashe, Borden's n1anserFahl' tells McMaun of a woman with q beautiful voice who came 10 Dor den's apartment Christmas Eve o1larreled with him and was KNOCK ed unconscious. Ruth believes II 10 he the same woman whom BorceA refused 10 talk to on the telephone Benny smith. BoTden's office boy bursts into the office crying de- manding to speak with Ruth Lester. NOW GO ON WITH THE SIOR !
 CHAPTER NNEI1l
 Here I am, Benny" Ruth cried ,unging her arms about the sway ing figure Of the 17-year-old office bov. "Oh, Benny dear, what IS the matter"
 The boy cluns to the girl weakly his rale gray eyes sutfused "l'H tears. LAW, Auth, they aint pinch ed YOU. have they ."
 "No, Benny. mol" Ruth was laughing and sobbing at the sane time. Who said I'd been arrested
 "Nicky Moran. I'm gonna knock his block off. the big liar Benny gasped. swiping a sleeve across his unmanly tears. T knowed VOL didn't do It.
 And how did you know. Benny ?' NcMann demanded, in a deoeptlIel! casual and friendly voice. rom hl' chair al Borden's desk. Come or over here and tell me all about 1t if you're able to walk. . Beer sick all day, Benny" Just Wha seems 10 be the trouble?'
 Who wants 10 know"' the offic' Eov countered in quavering. Delllg orent voice.
 This is Detective Sergeant Nc Mann. in charge Of the investga ton of MT. Borden's murder Benny" Ruth told he boy gently
 Pleased to meetcha' Benn. slumped into the chair the detec tive was indicating and jerked hi head in a funny, frightened nod.
 NOW that we've been properl. introduced. Benny" McManl 'grinned, suppose We start all owe again. Why didn't you come t work this morning.
 "'Cause l was sick, mister, Benny quavered. Honest to Johi was! Sick 10 my stummick. Cues I et too many hot dogs yesterday Or maybe it was ptomaine poison ing"
 "or maybe -" and McMan, leaned toward the boy across tn ,iesk-"the thought of killing man sort Of upset your stomach "
 Benny shrank from McMann' narrowed, menacing eyes as fas tHe back Of his chair would permit Me" Benny's adolescent voic quatarel and broke. T ain't kille nobody. Gosh! You don't aschull think I killed MT. Borden, do you luister?'
 "Please, MT. McMann" Rut begged. Don't frighten him | death. Of course Benny didn't d it. Wiy in the world should he? And she laid q hand protectingl. fondly upon the boys shakin shoulder and challenged the detec i've with flashing blue eyes
 When did you last see Henr Borden. Benny" the detective de manded sternly.
 Saturday, bout haIf-past one, the boy answered sullenly. T ha 10 come back to the office for some thing I'd forgot"
 What was ito" the detective ir terrupted harshly.
 To Ruth's amazement. colo flooded the boys pale, freckled fac' "I-I-just something-I don't re member" he stammered.
 Listen here, my boy. I'll cla the handcuffs on you too quick talk about if you don't answer m questions and answer them truth fully" McMann threatened, empha sizing his words with d thump ( his fist upon the dead mans desl What did you come back for? Tn truth. now, or the handcuffs 1c you. my lad.'
 Benny covered lower in his chai and shivered, looking wildly te ward Ruth for help. Tell the trutl Benny" the girl urged.
 IT come back to get Miss Le, ter's-gun." the boy gasped. T too It Saturday before last for targs practice out in the country an brought 1t back Monday mornin! without Ruth knowing nothin about 1t. l didn't mean no harm