New Britain herald., 1929-02-16

out by the bad news from the in surance company. since I'd counted on the commission to get married on. so l sat at my desk for two or three minutes. trying to get hold ot myself before seeing Miss Lester again. I didn't want 10 spoil her day the first after our engage ment-" He drew quick, sharp breath, then smiled down at the girl who was clinsing to his arm.
 Needed money pretty badly. didn't you. Hayward ," McMann in tt rrupted significantly.
 II was sorry to lose the commits sion. because il might mean a post pcnement of our marriage" Jack admitted curtIy. Then oc- cured to me that since I'd los, the commission I'd better be lining up other business, so packed m, briefcasc wit h / work to do over the weekend. It took me several minutes 10 find list of prospects l wanted to work on. for I'm not system. When had found i' left the office and rojoined Miss 1 Lester at the b ,tel.'
 At what time?'
 At 10 minutes past two.''
 You've got the time down prct ty pat. haven't ,ou:" McMann in sinuated. grinning crookedIy as he made note. Then. more dir. ct'y "You were alr rraJy thinking IT terms of alibis, weren't you. Hay ward?"
 You're certainly opeu-uinde1 McMann!" Jack laughed contempt uously First you sum up a mag. Lificent case aga,nst Mrs. torden until the poor woman herself must have half-belieted she did it. Ther you make an equally strong cas. against Miss Lester. and now bo'I of them must give way to your new favorite John Darlington Hay ward.' And the foolhardy. angr, young man bowed ironically.
 "Oh. Jack. don't!' Ruth cried Please. darIing-''
 ! Give him enough rope" Nc. Mann shrugged. but his face Wa: hvid with anger. T admit youI charge. Mir. Hayward: am open. minded and you can oblige me witl little more information. You saw Borden across the airshaft, didn'' you?"
 Ruth held her breath. then re leased it with 8 slgh of relief a' Jack retortcd emphaticaIly: T diI not. [ never even went near th' window. had other things te think about. besides Borden
 And yet you knew he'd bcej making violent love to Miss Lester. McMann reminded him. "Yol threatened. in the presence O Moran. the elevator boy. 10 kill For den. remember,'
 'I did - before she had assure. me that Borden had not touchct Ter" Jack answered evenly. "l;u 1 ] believed Miss Lester when sh' assured me that she had hurt hel lip against the docr."
 "Ycs. you did. You believed hel so firmly that you came back laf"r to kill Bord .n.' MciIann shouted banging his fits upon the desk Come clean. Haywari. You our gun yourself. don't you? 10, didn't spend good money-Eard ul az you are - 10 protect Borden offices from hold-up uon anc neglect your own safcty-did you?'
 Again. when she most needed 1t courage from some unseen. b"n"fi cent source sustained Ruth Lester lust as sickcuing waves Of nausci began 10 pour over her brain.
 T onr q IS calibcr Colts auto niatic. exactly like the pistol ] gav' 1 Miss Lest er," Jack answered stead fly. You will find it in the botton drawer Of my desk. unfire1. haN' never used it.
 As he spoke. Ruth stared at hin in terror she was powerless 10 con ceal wanted 10 clap her hand oyel his mouth to hold back that damn ing admission.
 Why. he doesn't know the gu is gone" she realized, with almoS hysterical joy. He doesn't know How stupid I've been! Of cours he'd have cleane.' it and put II bac if he had killed ''orden! He ha' plenty Of time
 McMgnn ros-. "As you +ay Ila, aard. I'm opaft jnirdpd. III h.: il look al tn g!n. and then. s' open minded. fl wait for r, 10 sons report on whe'h her It's pr fired or not. P-.dersons our fir, arms expert. and if he says it: never Teen fired. I'll take his Wor for it-hut not yours. Pretty cleve. , of you to admit possession Of 2 gun. but you knew damned wei that thc record would show Uh T and Whcl" you purchased il
 II" stroJe 10 'he comHiuI" r ting . door. op"r"i ii. flung it wide. and 1 addressed the detective who was