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

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Lester. secretary. finds the body o.
her employer. Handsome Harry
Borden. sprawled on the floor be-
meath the airshaft window Of his
private office, she runs at once to
the office Of her fiance, Jack Hay
ward. His office Is just across the
narrow airshaft from Borden's.
Finding Jack out. Ruth searches
for his pistol which he had purchased
at the same time he bought an ident-
ical weapon for her to keep in her
desk. His gun is gone! She recalls
Jacks discriminating behavior OF the
past Saturday afternoon and his
threats against Borden. Rlth. fearing
he shot Borden across the airshaft,
goes to close the window above the
body. but 1t is already closed!
McMann. police detective, learns
from the elevator boys Micky Moran
and Otto Pfluger. that Saturday
afternoon passengers to the seventh
floor were Benny Smith, Borden's
office boy; Mrs. Borden. his wife and
mother OF his two children. who call
ed for her monthly alimony check:
Rita Dubois, night club dancer, and
Jack Hayward.
The first suspect is Mrs. Borden.
who denies all accusations. When
McMann finds footprints of a pigeon
in dried blood on the window ledge
and on the floor near the body.
which indicated the window was
open during the murder, he says
the job was done from the inside and
turns suspiciously to Ruth. She tells
him of her pistol. but when he looks
in her desk for it. it. too. is gone!
Ruth is petrified with fear when
McMann learns the office across the
airshaft is Jacks. Jack admits his
return to the office on Saturday
afternoon. He also tells of his pist oil
and McMann goes to look for it.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER XVII
After what seemed an interminable
time to Ruth, but probably was not
more than 10 minutes. McMann re-
appeared. calling over his shoulder
to someone in the hall; Wait outside
here till l call for you and don't
talk"
As the detective strobe across
the reception room of the suite to-
ward the private office, he COM
manded the couple 10 follow him.
well, Hayward" he opened with
one of the short. ugly barks that
served him as a laugh. spin your
yarn! You've had 10 minutes to
think up good one. Where's the
gun? Wen find it. you know.
sooner or later, and you might as
well come clean!"
Anger gave way to startled sur
prise on Jack Hayward's face, upon
which Ruth's blue eyes were fixed
in an agony OF suspense. She drew
a shuddering sigh of relief; his bur-
prise was Al genuine as the anger
which had preceded it.
What do you mean, McMann?
The gun is where ! told you it was
in the bottom drawer OF my
desk"
Il don't doubt it was there Satur-
day. Hayward, but ! guess you
weren't taking any chances on
cleaning it and putting it back"
McMann retorted. "All right! I'm
waiting-what did you do with the
gun. my lad?"
i tell you, McMann," Jack an
swered furiously. his face very pale
now. Il have no more idea where
that gun is than you have! All ]
know 10 that had 4 Colts auto
matte. that ! kept it in the bottom
drawer Of my desk. and that !
haven't seen It for at least a week"
McMann's short laugh barked
again. Il told you I'm minded.
Hayward. l bite: when did you see
it last"
The young man flushed at the
sheer In the detectives voice, re-
turned the pressure of Ruth's cold
little fingers. then answered read
lily: when Miss Barnes, my secre-
tary, gave me a stack OF fresh
towels last Monday morning. The
delivery man for the towel service
makes his rounds every Monday.
Miss Barnes usually puts my towels
in that drawer herself, but last Mon
day happened to be sitting at the
desk when she brought them in and
] pulled open the drawer, shifted
the automatic slightly to the front.
and placed the clean towels benin !
1t. That is absolutely the last time
! saw the thing"
Used one towel all week. Ell -
McMann sneered.
ing for self-control. Miss Barnes
puts out fresh one for me each
morning before l get to the office.
We have cabinet with towel rack
above the stationary wash basin in
the outer office. just as this suite
has. Miss Barnes can tell you
whether the gun was there Satur-
day or not. don't know myself, for
didn't open the drawer"
''She says it was there. all right"
McMann assured him. Real handy
for you when you had your quarrel
with Harry Borden"
Il had no quarrel with Harry
Borden" Jack denied quietly. wear
lily. Il have never spoken a word
10 the man in my life"
"ls that so?" McMann exclaimed
rinmphantly. "Birdwell! Bird
H." he shouted till the room re-
brrated with the sound. When
subordinate opened the door
detective sergeant parked out
order: There's a chap named
van waiting outside in the hall.
ing him in"
He turned to the couple who were
gazing at each other. the girls eyer