The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-02-07

noticed for the first time, was
clenched convulsively.
"Stiff!" McMann pronounced.
dead a good many hours, I'd say.
Shot through the heart. Must have
died quickly, but DR.. Nelson vii!
tell us that. Rand" h% addressed
one Of the policemen-'put in a call
for headquarters. Tell the chief It's
murder all right, and to send Dr.
Nelson over right away. And Big
gers, you stand outside the door in
the hall and keep the crowds away.
The news will 60 through the build
II ing like wildfire, once it gets start
ed. Did you spill it," he demanded
of Ruth.
She shook her head. ~ told no
one but Mr.. Hayward. / went to
him Immediately after-after saw
Mr.. Borden. Mr.. Hayward has Of
fices on this floor, around in the
next wing. We are-engaged to be
married. That's why I went to him."
"That SOL" McMann's little,
squinted gray eyes studied the pair
| in the doorway. He seemed about to
ask some question concerning their
relationship to each other or to the
dead man, and then, to Ruth's great
relief, to decide upon q query OF
more immediate Importance. "Did
Borden keep any money or valuables
in the office? Do you know what he
had on him Saturday? Looks like he
must have been murdered as long a.
Saturday."
II know that he had $500 in tens
and twenties," Ruth answered stead
lily. "He had me 60. to the bank to
get it for him, as he was going to
Winter Haven for the weekend. His
train was to leave at 2:16. don't
know how much more he had.
caught glimpse of a yellow-backed
note in his wallet when he put the
$500 in, but I didn't see the denomi-
nation. He also had pair Of rail-
road tickets with a Pullman draw
ing-room ticket, which he had had
me buy for him."
AS she spoke, the detective was
searching the pockets of the dead
mans coat, trousers and vest. "Here
are the tickets o. K. And some loose
change in a pocket. But there are
no banknotes at all. ~. Hmm!
Looks like robbery"
holdups in the building in the last
few weeks" Jack volunteered.
"Someone who knew Miss Lester to
be Mr.. Borden's secretary may have
seen her cashing the check for $500
and"
"Ill do the maybes on this job,
thanks!" McMann interrupted harsh-
ly. "Now, Miss Lester-by the way,
any relation to Colby Lester, the
lawyer?"
Tears sprang into Ruth's eyes.
"He was my father"
McMann's glinting eyes were gen.
tie for moment, as they took in
the small figure. "Sorry, Miss Les
ter! had no idea. Do remember the
boys saying he had a kid mean
a daughter-that he was crazy
about. Now, child, in your own
words, tell me all you know about
this business. When you last saw
Borden, everything of Importance
that had happened Saturday, any
thing you can think of to help me-"
"Please, may / sit down-in my
own Officer" Ruth faltered.
The detective took a chair beside
Ruth's desk, making notes on sheets
of yellow paper, as the girl told her
story.
Saturday is always a quiet day,
since it is a half holiday" Ruth be-
gan, her hands tight locked on the
desk before her, her brows knit in
an effort at concentration. II ar
rived first. at half-past nine, then
Benny Smith, the office boy, came
in"
where is he now"
"He hasn't come in yet" Ruth ad-
mitted. HE sometimes soldiers on
the job when he knows Mr.. Borden
is out of town. He was to 60 away
! for"
THE boys address," McA6ann de-
manded, pencil poised.
"Why. ] don't know" Ruth &C.
knowledged reluctantly. II have an
old address on file, but his family
moved the first Of January. l told
him to give me his new address, but
someone interrupted, and I'm sure
"Guass 5 he'll stroll in later" Nc
Mann dismissed the office boy. "Now
60 on, please. When did Borden
come in Saturday,"
"About 10, as usual. Some wo-
man, who would not give her name,
had just called for him on the phone,
and told him, describing her voice.
He knew who she was, but he didn't
mention her name."
/ \ \ \
Ever hear her voice before?''
McMann was instantly alert. "She
had called several times during the
four months / worked here" Ruth
answered. "Once / put her through
to Mr.. Borden, and he told me to
remember her voice and never do so
again. She has beautiful, throaty
contralto. Yes, I'd know it if
heard it again, over the phone any
way"
| "All right. Go on"
"Mr. Borden dictsted for about
half an hour
/ "Any trouble between you and
Borden. Miss Lester?" McMann
pounccd.
i Trouble? Oh, mol" Ruth protest.
! ed, flushing. HE was always very
considerate Of me, till the very day
of his death" Which was literally
true-until the very day. Of his
death! "He dictated, as / said, until
Benny interrupted to say that m old
man was in this office, demanding
, to sec Mr.. Borden. ! went out "a
talk with him., because Mr.. Border