The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-03-06

Both Ruth and the scrubwoman
glared at him then, but McMann
did not seem to mind. He did seem
little nonplussed, however. when
Lefty answered defiantly: "No, sir,
I'm not, because don't know when
he did leave! l wasn't in that corr
ridor then. When Mr.. Hayward
come back l took my pail and mop
and broom and went around the
corner to an office l knew was closed
for the day, because it's always
closed all day Saturday. And from
there / went to the office next to 1t.
I didn't come back to Mr.. Hayward's
office till after half-past two, like
l said, and I didn't see him again"
The hope that had routed Ruth's
overpowering fatigue when she had
remembered that Lefty Miller had
seen Jack on his return to his Of
flee died violent death, leaving the
girl utterly crushed, and so tired
that she felt she could not even lift
her eyes again, no matter what hap
pened.
If only Lefty had waited, had
watched for Jack to leave, had been
in his office from two until 10 min
utes past two, 50 that she could
have refuted Bill Cowan's damning
story about the telephone call.
= = =
While McMann continued his
questioning Of the cleaning woman,
Ruth sat in small, inert heap in
her chair, staring with despair-dulled
eyes 1T her lax hands.
Dimly she realized that McMann
gained no further information; Let
ty had not worked in the corridor
on which Borden's offices were To-
Gated, hence had not had opportunity
to witness the arrival or departure
Of the dead promoters visitors; she
had not heard the shot fired, or, If
she had, had not noted it conscious
ly; when she had cleaned Jack Hay
wards office she had not glanced
across the airshaft, through Jacks
window to Borden's, had, therefore,
neither seen the promoter nor no.
ticed whether his window was closed
or open. As to Jacks gun, Lefty had
never seen it, she said; on Saturday,
when she had wiped off the desk
drawers, the bottom drawer had
been closed, and she had not opened
it, or any other drawer.
= y i
Ruth did not even raise her head
when Lefty Miller was dismissed,
with the usual instructions from Nc
Mann, but she had the impression
that Letty's near-sighted, dull-brown
eyes peered at her pityingly, asking
her to forgive her for not having
been able to clinch Jack Hayward's
alibi. But she could not look up, and
Lefty was gone.
Detective Carlson wants to re-
port, sir" Birdwell announced from
the door.
"All right; show him in," McMann
replied CURLY. Hello, Carlson. Any
news? You've seen all the stock
statesmen that showed up, haven't
you?"
Eyes, sir" Carlson answered
cheerfully, as hclowered his fatbody
into the chair vacated by La1ty Mil
Ter. "Four Of 'cm blew in, with alibis
all neatly wrapped up and ready to
deliver. That accounts for all of
Borden's boys except Adams, and
Grant, one of the statesmen, just re-
ceived this wire from him. I've
checked his alibi with his landlady.
He's been renting a room in an
apartment, Of which he gave the ad-
dress, and l called the woman on the
phone. Looks straight, all right.
Here's the wire."
McMann accepted the yellow sheet
and scanned it frowningly, then, with
courtesy which Ruth was not too ut
terly tired to appreciate, passed it
to the girl. It was a long day let
ter:
"Have just read Of Borden's MUIR
der. Saw him Saturday, left office
about one-ten. He ordered me to Chi
cago, because he thought was
spending too much thought and time
on my girl. Went directly to my
room, Mrs. London's apartment, 12S
West Sixty-fifth street, talked with
Mrs. London for half hour and
packed my trunk and bag. Had lunch
with Mrs. London. Called my girl
made . date with her. and left apart.
ment about three o'clock. Met cir
downtown half past three. Was will
her till my train left for Chicago
eleven-ten Saturday night. DOM
give my. girls name unless neces
sary. Miss Lester knows Border
was sore at me and / don't want
police to think quarreled with Dor
den and killed him. I did not. H,
did bawl me out for falling dowl
on job but gave me another chance
Show this wire to police if the,
haven't found real murderer. An
stopping 1T Drake Hotel. Will com,
back Immediately If necessary
Adams" Ruth read it, and lot tn,
sheet flutter down upon Borden
desk.
well, Miss Lester, what do 70,
think ?" McMann asked. II think he'
telling the TRUTH" Ruth answere,
DULY. 1T had not occurred to me t,
suspect Mr.. Adams. think it wa
fine Of him to volunteer this infor
nation 50 promptly"
Or very clever" McMann sal
; slowly. Get the name Of the gi1
from that chap Grant, Carlson, an
60 see this Mrs. London personally
l don't quite like the looks Of thii
Too pat. !. Did any Of the sales
men have keys to this office, Mis-
Lester!" he added. when Carlso
. had left.
mo. No one was supposed to hav
, . key but Mr.. Borden, Benny Smit
, and myself" Ruth answered. .Rit
, Dubois had Mr.. Bordens key frol
} Friday until today but never kne,
, Mr.. Borden to trust anyone else 1