The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-03-21

| III kldU nc CAuISs anyway. NOnlS
on in, Miss Lester, and I'll tell you
all about it,"
Before obeying, Ruth Lester gath
cred up the four typed sheets Of what
Birdwell had called a "serial story"
and folded them into q small square
which she tucked away safely in the
pocket of the brown velveteen frock
she was wearing.
"A mans will Is pretty good in
dex to his character" McMann be-
gan, after he and Ruth had seated
themselves opposite each other at the
dead mans desk. And more times
than not. when a rich mans been
murdered, his will is the policies best
bet In looking for q motive. tried
to get hold of Attorney Walters yes.
terday, of course, but he was out of
town-didn't get back till noon to-
day"
And did you find motive?" Ruth
| asked eagerly.
mot unless we want to believe that
Mrs. Borden got impatient" McMann
said slowly. Outside of few thou
sands to his lawyer, who, it appears,
expected more for keeping Borden
out of jail on some of his fake stock
schemes, everything goes to the wife
and kids"
Nothing to Martha Manning's
child?" Ruth interrupted.
Not a red!" McMann answered
I've just told you that mans will
is good index to his character. He
makes no provision for the child that
Miss Manning claims is his. Maybe
he had cause to question his pater-
nifty, but I doubt it. I'd stake my
hope of promotion for solving this
case on that woman's telling the truth
so far as the kid is concerned, at
least"
Il agree with YOU" Ruth said Sob
erly. Did Mr.. Borden leave q large
cState?"
About a million and quarter,
according to Walters, though the will
simply says, More than $4,000 The
usual thing you know" McMann an
swered. ''Of course ! asked Walters
if Mrs. Borden knew either the extent
of her husbands wealth or the dis
position made of it in his will and
he answered mo- to both questions.
She must have been pretty sure. how
ever, that whatever her husband had
would come to her and the children,
but since Borden was giving them
$500 a month, I'm afraid we'll have
to look elsewhere for a motive that
will hold water
Mrs. Borden did not kill her hus-
band," Ruth stated quietly.
"You seem pretty Sure-oh. all right,
Birdwell! What is it?" as his sub
ordinate appeared in the doorway.
Captain Foster on the wire, sir.
Wants to talk with YOU"
While McMann was arguing and ex-
postulating with his immediate SUI
perior, who had evidently just been
heckled by his own superior, Com
missioner Weeks. Ruth sat staring at
the airshaft window, smiling strange
! ly, her chin resting on her inter-
locked hands. McMarln, glancing at
her once or twice for approval Of the
way he was standing up" to the
police captain, saw to his amazement
that she was not even listening.
Something did arouse her out Of
her smiling abstraction, however. It
was the mournful, reproachful call
of the black pigeon, which was, strut
ting up and down the broad white
ledge outside the airshaft window.
With an exclamation of dismay at her
own thoughtlessness, the girl jumped
up and ran to the outer office, to get
the envelope which she had filled with
bread crumbs from her own luncheon.
But the hungry pigeon had to wait
minute longer, for Ruth stopped to
type one line and tear it, narrow
ribbon, from the sheet Of yellow paper.
With her message, bread crumbs and
length Of black thread, she hurried
back into the private office, where
McMann was just replacing the re-
ceiver, his face flushed with right
eous indignation.
| X \ X
Expect a man to solve mystery
like this In two shakes of dead
lambs tall" he grumbled to the girl,
then abandoned his self defense to
ask curiously: what are you doing
| there?"
Just feeding the pigeons!" Ruth
laughed. Poor things! I've neglected
them shamefully. ! hope the next
| tenant in this suite has more hu-
manitarian secretary"
Say! That's pretty sight!" Nc
Mann commented, as he strolled to
the airshaft window. where the girl
stood, laughing and cooling to the
flock of pigeons, which fought greed
lily for the crumbs she was sprinkline
upon the ledge.
"Oh, you greedy thing!" she cried.
as the black pigeon boldly settled
upon her hand and began to peck al
the crumbs 1t held. Nov you've
made me spill halt Of your dtnner!"
she added ruefully, as shower Of
crumbs fell upon the polished strip
Of floor between rug and window
Just for that. Mr.. Nemesis, you're
going to be punished by being made
to work!" And one little hand closed
firmly about the cleaning body Of the
black pigeon. .
/ what arc you going to do now?'
McAdann asked indulgently, as swift
| fingers wrapped the narrow ribbon
of paper about the tiny red leg Of
the pigeon. fastening it securely with
the thread.
1 Watch and see!" Ruth laughed
Then, still holding the pigeon against
her breast, she called out In clear
blithe sopranos. WOO hoo, Jack!"
Almost instantly the young insur.
ance brokers' head and torso wers
framed in the opposite window.
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