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

LEFTY MIkLEN, ScruDWOm.
an in Jacks wing of the
building, is brought in for ques-
ti0ning.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER XXI
Minnie Cassidy must have found
Lefty, Miller already at work in
some office that had closed early
for the day, for when the cleaning
woman who "did" Jack Hayward's
offices appeared within three min
utes, she was carrying her broom,
floor mop and scrubbing pail, filled
with oily busting rags. Birdwell, the
detective, opened the door for her,
and was hailed by his chief, Nc
Mann.
"Any further report from Clay on
Cleo Gilman?"
s'No, sir"
"See if headquarters has got any
line on Jake Bailey. Borden's body
guard" McMann directed, then, as
Birdwell withdrew, the detective SER
geant glanced negligently at Lefty
Miller. "Come on over here. won't
bite you Now, take that chair,
and don't fidget; I'm not going to
keep you long. You'll have plenty of
time to do your work. You're Let
ty Miller, the woman who regularly
cleans John c.. Hayward's offices? :"
| Letty's thin, calico-clad body ac-
|cepted the support Of the edge Of
the chair McMann indicated. Her face
was raised anxiously; faded brown
eyes peered at the detective near
lsightedly through ugly, steel-rimmed
spectaclcs. Gray-haired, frail, timid
no wonder, Ruth thought, Lefty
Miller had appeal to Jacks tender
heart, so that he had tipped her more
than he could afford. Was it in her
power now to repay him for his
kindness? It was hard for Ruth not
| to take the witness out of the de-
tective sergeant's hands. -.
Eyes, SIR" Lefty quavered.
"You cleaned Mr.. Hayward's Of
fees last Saturday afternoon"
Eyes, sir"
cat what time, or approximately
what time?"
The cleaning woman pursed her
colorless lips in thought, then an
swered slowly: II couldn't say ex.
actly, sir, but it was after half-past
two, because / was in another suite
at half-past two and happened to
look at the clock and remember that
/ still hadn't cleaned Mr.. Hayward's
offices, though ordinarily they're
among the first ! get to-"
Ruth's cold hands gripped each
other fiercely as she waited for Nc.
Mann to put his next question: "And
why didn't you clean Mr.. Hayward's
offices earlier, in your regular rou'
tine?
because Mr.. Hayward came II
when l was just ready to beein,'
Lefty answered, with tiny flash o.
defiance.
! "And ordered you out, eh?" Nc
Mann suggested significantly.
| "No, sir" Lefty retorted, almost
spiritedly. "He told me to 90 righ'
ahead with my work, but just thel
his phone rang and while he was an
swering it I took my. things AMI
left"
"Very considerate Of you, I'm
sure" McMann commented dfily
"And what time was this-when MI
Hayward returned, mean I"
Again Lefty Miller pursed her lip
in thought. II couldn't say to tn
minute, sir, but it must have beel
about 10 minutes to two. We com
on at IL on Saturdays, but We d
halls and baseboards and lavatorie
. until the tenants begin to leave :
one. And last Saturday I'd done Ton
! suites Of offices before ! went In :
: do Mr.. Hayward's-and seen him
,, like told you. So It must have bee
pretty near two-say from 10 70 nv
minutes Of two"
"You like Mr.. Hayward might
well, don't you, Lefty? Hes bee
: good to you-about tips and 30 on!
McMann asked suddenly.
Letty's lined, pale face flushed
dull red. ssOf course ! like him, o.
He's = good, kind gentleman, IN
e I'm sure"
81 II thought sol" McNanr intsl
o rupted efimly. An right, VII,
/. next? When did Mr.. Hayward leave
$. II suppose you're going 70 be vel
d helpful and tell exactly when he d
leave!"