New Britain herald., 1929-03-20
THIS HAS HAPPENED

Handsome Harry" Borden Is shot between one and four o'clock Sat urday afternoon. Ruth Lester. his secretary, finds his body Monday morning spra wled beneath the air. shaft window of his private office.
 McMann, detective sergeant, ques- tions the following suspects: Mrs Borden. Borden's estranged wife and mother of his two children; Rita Dubois, night club dancer, with whom Borden was infatuated: and Jack Hayward. Ruth's fiance, whose office is across the narrow airshaft from Borden's private office.
 McMann's belief in Jacks guilt Is strengthened by his discovery that Jacks pistol IS missing: by Jacks admission that he returned to the seventh floor Saturday afternoon. and by the testimony of Micky Mo- ran and Otto Pfluger, elevator boys. Bill Cowan' Jacks friend. unwilling ly tells of having heard Jack threaten Borden's life Saturday morning.
 McMann questions Benny Smith. Borden's office boy; Ashe his man. servant; Minnie Cassidy and Lefty Miller. seventh floor scrubwomen; Cleo Gilman. Borden's discarded mistress. and Jake Bailey. his body guard.
 Martha Manning Is brought into the case by Ruth's clever detective Cha ho 1oef ny Pnr den Friday night but admits phon- ing him three times Saturday after noon. When McMann pointblank ac- cuses her of the murder she defies him to bring forward anyone who saw her in the building Saturday. Benny Smith bursts in upon them and historically confesses to the murder. Ills confession Is full of loop-holes and they realize he Is trying to shield Ruth, who he be- lieves is to be arrested.
 NOW GO ON WITHTHE STORY
 CHAPTER XLIII
 Well, darling" Ruth said, after she and Jack Hayward. had deposi- ted lightly burdened trays upon a table in far corner of the cafeteria. ''this has been busy morning! Net result-a confession!"
 What" Relief flared in the young insurance brokers eyes "Why didn't you tell me as soon as We met?"
 Contrition sobered Ruth's vivid little face. Forgive me, darling! I've raised your hopes, just to dash them. It was just Benny-lying like the darling little idiot that he is. because he thought McMann was going to arrest me. I'll read you his whole 'confession'-I took 1t down in shorthand, at McMann's request - when I've transcribed it. Of course Benny was half delirious with fever, but I'll never have nobler compliment paid me-
 You're siren and cradle snatcher." Jack told her severely. Its a good thing I'm going to mar ry you and withdraw you from cir culation. Any other developments this morning."
 soAIllllIls utllsHteOly, lHe HlIl lOiu her sweetheart of Cleo Gilman's stimulating visit and its ludicrous effect upon dour old McMann. "I really believe, Jack" she conclud- ed, that if Cleo hadn't just mar rled one of the most uppity of the Upper Ten, that our detective de- partment's shining light would have tried to date her up He may do it yet. But I wasn't making any idle boast last night when I said l was going to take charge of the murder investigation this morning." And then she told him of her visit to Mrs. Borden and to Minnie Cassidy. resulting in the discovery of the orchid tinted let ter in the secret drawer of Bor- den's desk.
 Good work" Jack applauded dutifully. but Ruth was quick to See that a shadow settled in the eyes she loved. He acknowledged the shadow by adding. hesitatingly: But l can't help feeling sorry. sweet, that poor Martha Manning has to be dragged into this. I'm sure she didn't kill Borden, and - well, tlsre's something about