The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-02-12

Wnen MO II LE0 Elk, sec.
rotary, goes to the office on =
Monday morning in January.
she finds the dead body of her
employer. HANDSOME HAIR
RY' BORDEN. sprawled on the
floor beneath the window of his
private office. Ruth is engaged
to JACK HAYWARD, whose
office is Just across the narrow
airshaft from Borden's.
Ruth recalls that Jack had
threatened Borden. She also re-
calls that when she met Jack at
noon Saturday with q bruised
lip he believed Borden had hurt
her though she insisted he was
wrong.
Ruth runs to Jacks private Of
flee and. finding him OUT
searches for his pistol which he
had purchased ut the same time
he bought an identical weapon
for her to keep in her desk. His
gun is gone!
McMANN. a detective, ques-
tions Ruth. She c0nfesses her en-
gagement to Jack and also tells
him of Borden's two Saturday
morning visitors: RITA DU-
BOTS, night club dancer, with
whom Borden was planning a
weekend trip; and MRS. BOR-
DEN, his wife and mother of his
two children, who called for her
monthly alimony. Mrs. Borden
comes into the office during the
questioning and McMann merci-
lessly accuses her of the murder.
She insists she left Borden alive
and that the only person she saw
near his office was MINNIE
CASSIDY. scrub woman. MEL
son. medical examiner. arrives.
When search is started for the
weapon that might have been
used, Ruth tells of the pistol in
her desk. McMann goes to get
it. 1t is gone, too!
VOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER XII
Detective McMann's eyes were lik,
bits of steel as he turned OF
Ruth. They did not miss the fac
hat her little hands were LOCKED
lightly together, her eyes fixed in {
vide, unwinking stare of horror
lpon Elizabeth Borden.
when did you last see your auto
matte, Miss Lester? Come now-tht
ruth, the whole truth, and nothing
tut the truth! Colby Testers daugh
err should be familiar with thai
phrase, and know that the truth is
llways the best policy"
Ruth nodded weakly, and moisten.
ID her lips. "I-saw it Saturda,
morning, when opened the bottom
lrawer to get new carton of paper
ups. It was there then, lying on tor
Il those clean towels. IL never saw
t again, Mr.. McMann. never
ouched it: It frightened me even tt
ook at it"
"Who else knew you kept a gun II
hat drawer?"
Ruth silently prayed that Mrs
Sorden would forgive her. "A mum
'er of people. I can't remember al
t them at the moment, but Benny
he office boy, Of course, and Mr.
'orden, and-and Mrs. Borden"
"Ah! So Mrs. Borden knew!" Nc.
dann interrupted triumphantly
And how did Mrs. Borden know you
.ept gun there? Did she ask you p
"She-saw it there" Ruth said
aintly, reaching out dizzily for the
esk. A low exclamation, that might
ave been either from fear or star.
led realization, had broken from
frs. Borden's ashen lips.
"When?" McMann barked.
Saturday morning." Ruth admit.
ed in a low, trembling voice. ~
ulled out the drawer to get the pa
er cups and Mrs. Borden, who was
lifting at my desk, helped me with
he drawer because it stuck, and
nd I explained how I happened to
ave a gun-about the hold-ups in
he building, you know"
"And why was Mrs. Borden sit
ing at your desk ?" McMann caught
er up sharply, relentlessly. "You'd
lade her sit down because she was
ceiling faint, hadn't you? And you
'ele after a cup to give her a drink,
,ercn't you?"
X X *
Ruth stared her amazement at his
ccurate deduction. MRS. Borden did
ot Rockwell, so I thought"
"Look here, Miss Lester" Nc.