New Britain herald., 1929-03-01
THIS HAS HAPPENED

THIS HAS HAPPENED
 Between one and four o'clock Sat urday afternoon, Handsome Harry Borden, promoter of dubious stock companies, is shot. On Monday morning his secretary. Ruth Lester, finds his body spra avled beneath the airshaft window of his private office. McNann. detective sergeant, con- ducts the investigation in the office Of the victim.
 The first suspect is Mrs. Elizabeth Borden. estranEed wife Of the dead man and mother Of his two Cfll- dren. who admits she caled on him Saturday afternoon for her monthly slimony check. but insists he was alive when she left him. The next suspect is Ruth Lester. She con- frsses tha, Borden annoyed her with his attentions on Saturday morning but staunchly denies any Knowledge Of the crime.
 Jack Hayward, Euth's fiaDce, is questioned next. His office is direct " across the narrow airshaft from Borden's private office. He tries 70 explain his return 70 the seventh floor Saturday afternoon by saving he left his and Euth's matinee tickets on his desk. Jacks guilt seems emphasized by the testimony Of Mcky Moran and Otto pfluser, eelyator boys, and Bill Cowan. friend. who tells of Jacks threaten- ing Borden's lie when hc saw Ruth struggling with Borden in the oppo- site office.
 McManu sends for Minnie Cassidy and Lefty Miller. seventh floor scruhuomen: Benny smith, Eorden's office boy. and Cleo Gilman, Eorden's discarded mistress, Meanwhile Rita Dubois, night club dancer, admits q weekend planned with Borden, She confesses her call to the office Satur- day afternoon 10 get the torn half of a $500 bill Borden promised her. but insists she lef, him alive. McMann finds 1n-toot pole in Jacks office with which the window across the a!rshaft could be closed. Ashe. Bor- den's n7anseryan'. IS shoWn in He has just said he believes he knows who killed Borden.
 t\OW GO ON WITH THE STORN)
 CHAPTER NNNII
 Detective Sergeant McMann he 'rayed TO surprise or pleasure when Frank Ashe. Bordens mansc rva n+. made his startling assertion. but Ruth Lester leaned forward tensely. one hand trembling against her throat.
 So you think you know who kill vas it?" McMann asked matter-of- ,actly.
 T don't know her name. sir. but I do know he was in mortal terror Of a woman. sir" the valet answered earnestly.
 "T-t me what you know. Ashe. and make it snappy" McMann di- rected. with pencil poised over pad 0. scratch paper.
 Well. sir" the valet began. with difld"nt eacerness, it happened on Christmas Eve. Nr. Borden vas go 'ns 70 6 big party at the Dancing E ar. with Miss Gilman but to dln- nCr and the theater frst--'
 With Miss Cleo Gilman" Me Mann interrupted sharply. How do you know"''
 '1 heard him taking with Miss Gilman over the telephone about the party, sir" the valet answered read fly. He had had me call her nun her. as he frequently did. Miss Gil man was'--the man coughed apo!o- etically-"Mr. Borden's lady friend until recently. sir. until he took a fancy to Miss Dubois, the dancer at the Golden Slipper, sir"
 You didn't let much slip past you. did you Ashe?" McMann erinncd. Well, I'm glad you didn't Now what happened on Christmas Eye?"
 'Mr. Borden came home about six o'clock 70 dress for dinner. and MT. Bailey vas with him"
 Jake Bailey"' McMann cut in.
 es, SIT. Mr. Jake Bailey. Mir Borden never said SO, but got the ldea that Mir Bailey was a sort of todSguard to nr. Borden. I know that Mir Bailey carried q gun, for have seen II in his hip pocket when he'd take his coat off 70 play poker With Mr. Borden late at night sonn- times, when Mir Borden couldn't sleep and wanted company. 4 rer- Nous sort Of man. Nr. Borden was.
 On Christmas Eve the two of them came in together. and Mir, Ror den told me to mix some cocktails. He wanted creme de Incnthe in them, and # happened that .hs boot. ieE2er. who's on the third floor 0. our apartment hotel though ! hope sIr, you won't use this against him"
 1n not in tha prohibition en- forcement department. ncNann grinned. Go on. You went down for