New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1929-02-18

III
saved the necessity OF a reply by
the entrance of Bill Cowan, the
real estate man, ushered in by Bird
well, who Immediately retired 10
his duties in the outer office.
Ruth, clinging to her sweet
hearts arm for much needed sup
port, turned to face the man who
undoubtedly had it in his power
to send Jack Hayward before d
grand jury. She saw medium
sized, foppishly dressed man of 3S
or 40. running an embarrassed hand
over sleek brown hair.
Lord. Jack. I'm sorry ! STUN.
bled into this. Tough break, old
boy! If I'd seen a paper" Cowan
began nervously. alphabetically.
You wouldn't have kept your ap-
pointment." McMann finished his
You'd have been pretty sure that
your friend, Jack Hayward, was in
trouble, wouldn't you?"
IL wouldn't say that" Cowan
hedged miserably. But no man
wants TO get mixed up in a murder
case
I'm afraid you are mixed up in
one. Cowan," McMann interrupted
And I don't need to remind you
that it's the duty of citizen to
aid justice in any way possible
when circumstances force him into
the unpleasant role OF witness. Just
repeat the story you told me. Cow
an. l may as we'll tell you. Hay
ward, that your friend gave you
away by accident when ! told hin,
you were being questioned concern
ing Borden's DEATH"
That's right. Jack. old man.,
Cowan assured the grim.faced young
man anxiously. God knows ]
wouldn't for the world"
That's all right. Cowan." Jack
interrupted. his pale lips twitchin3
into a faint smile. Naturally it'a
your duty to tell anything you
know which may seem to have any
bearing on this case. But l want
you to know. Cowan. that had no
more to do with Borden's murder
than you did"
THAT'S fine. old mani" Cowan
thrust out Z hand with eager
friendliness, and seemed much re-
lieved when Jack shook 1t. "Aa
Mr.. McMann here has just said
Jack. ! spilled the beans accident
ally. Said something foolish and
hasty about being afraid Saturday
that there'd be a row. He wouldn't
let up on me till I'd shot the works
of course"
The embarrassed real estate man
mopped his brow. Lord! If I'd
only learned to keep my mouth
shut! l had 10 tell him. Jack
about that nasty little business Sat.
urday morning. when you saw Bor'
den struggling with the young lady
here"
Pardon me. Cowan. This |,
Miss Lester. my fiancee." Jack in.
terrupted II believe I told yol
Saturday that Miss Lester and
were to be married SOON"
Glad to meet you Miss Lester
the embarrassed man acknowl
edged. II told Jack saturda,
that didn't blame him for goinl
off his nut when he saw Border
getting fresh"
Both you and Mr.. Hayward wer.
mistaken as to Mr.. Borden's inten
tons" Ruth said. in a clear. calm
voice. "Mr. Borden was merel.
trying 10 take off my spectacles
and l was determined to prevent hi
doing So"
Get on with your story. Cowan
We're wasting time" McMann or
dered CURLY. You told me tina
both you and Hayward. standin,
in that window across the airshaft
saw Harry Borden struggling will
Miss Lester, his arms about her
and that she screamed. Is tina
right"
''We-ell - that's what it locke,
/ like" Cowan stammered ant
| flushed. but I guess 1t doesn'
, take much to make girl scream.
I'm this case. there was enough
to make Jack Hayward want t,
jump across an eight-foot airshaf
and kill the man who was forcinl
his attention upon Miss Lester,
McMann pointed out. at took al
your strength to hold Hayward
didn't it. Cowan? And he swor
he'd kill that beast if he lait
hands on Miss Lester again, di1n'
he?''
Cowan mopped his glistenin,
| forehead again. Something lik'
| that. | can't remember his exac
! words ! asked him why he wa
so net up about Borden's maxim.
love 10 his secretary. and he tolc
I me then, after I'd got him ava.
from the window. that he was in
terested in buying lot in Grand