The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-03-20
(CHAPTER Kill Continued


II really believe, Jack" she con-
cluded, that if, Cleo hadn't just
married one of the most uppity of
the Upper Ten, that our detective
departments shining light would
have tried to date her up. He may
do it yet. But wasn't making any
idle boast last night when I said
Z I was going to take charge of the
murder investigation this morning.
And then she told him of her visit
10 Mrs. Borden and to Minnie Cas-
Siidy, resulting in the discovery of
the orchid-tinted letter in the secret
drawer of Borden'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 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, there's something about that
NOLlldIl UIldG SeJS you
II II
lake BAILEY, another Of our
- morning callers, puts it a little
differently" Ruth retorted. HE says
Miss Manning got Borden, but he
doesn't mean exactly what you
do. I'm sorry, dear! [ under
stand how you feel, for I've been
feeling like malicious, meddling
little beast myself, ever since she
told her whole, pitiful, tragic story"
Don't feel too badly" Jack
urged tenderly, his hand closing
over hers tightly. 'McMann would
nave got on her trail within few
hours anyhow, since there must be
any number of people who knew
of her and Borden's affair.
But what did McMann get out of
the the poor thing with his damna-
ole third degree methodist"
Ruth neglected her soup and sal
ad to recount every detail of Mar
tina Mannings story, in the order
In which McMann had extracted it.
I'D like to choke that bully!"
Jack interrupted fiercely, when
Ruth told him, with astonishing
vividness, how the detective had
secured the woman's fingerprints.
Haven't you learned your les
son yet, red-head?" Ruth chided
him gently. It should think you'd
never utter another threat so long
IS you live"
& II suppose some lip-reading de-
tective has already made note of
my slip of the tongue, and if Nc
Mann is ever bumped off, I'll be &C
cused of the crime. But cut along,
sweetheart! 1 promise to be good!"
Ruth cut along" rapidly, de-
scribing with wry humor the various
tits between Martha Manning and
Jake Bailey, Borden's bodyguard.
But against his WILL" he con-
cluded, Jake did do Miss Manning
a good turn. His professional pride
would not let him admit that Mar
tina could have been close enough
to him on the street SO that she
could see the pattern of his shirt
and tie, without his seeing her. So
it all boils down to this: Bailey
himself, much as he hates Miss
Manning, because he believes she
killed his boss, corroborated her
story of having been in the Star
bridge building Friday night, from
about half-past eight till a few
minutes past nine"
"a few minutes past g." Jack re-
peated thoughtfully. "And she says
she walked down the stairs and
out of the lobby at that time?"
Sudden comprehension illumined
Ruth's lovely face. Il see what you
meant Why didn't I think of that
before? That's just when the lit
tie army of cleaning women and
porters is pouring out of the bIild
ing. I've seen them a dozen times,
at least. They're through work az
8. I'll speak to Mr.. McMann as
soon as I get back to the Office
Jack interrupted, grinning: Il
thought you we're conducting his
investigation, young ladyl Why not
make inquiries yourself? Mrs. Pei
low, the grand old dowager in
charge of the cleaning women, must
be in the building now. She comes
on about O'Clock, think, and acts
as a sort of housekeeper for the
building, even before the cleaning
women come on. Let's have go
at her, darling. Now-eat every
leaf of that salad, or papa spank"
Ruth obeyed, but now and then
a puzzled frown knit her brows, and
her brooding blue eyes darkened.
Whats the heavy thinking