New Britain herald., 1929-03-07

|
 key to get into this office after Mir.
 Borden was killed. to retrieve the
 pistol provided it fell to the floor
 instead of out of the window"
 McNiann drowned thoughtfully as
 the almost hysterically triumphant
 girl made each Of her points. Then.
 when she had finished. he asked
 slowly: What about Saturday
 night or Sunday? Knowing that
 the pistol lay there. he could have
 taken his time about coming hack 1 for it."
 1 And there is no record of his i being in the building Saturday i night or Sunday" Ruth told him
 triumpha ntly. "I haven't seen the
 register for those days, but I'm
 sure you have. and since ! know
 Jack wasn't in the Starbridgc
 Building after two o'clock Saturday ! until nine this morning. I know his
 name is not on the register. That's
 true. isn't it?"
 Yes" McMann admitted. But
 he could have walked down 10 the
 basement without using the ele-
 vator, or without being seen by
 the one man on duty after four
 o'clock Saturday"
 l And that exit door to the court
 is kept locked" Ruth cried. Tt had 1 10 be unlocked for me. The porter | in the basement had to send for Mir | Coghlan. the superintendent. in
 order to get the key to unlock it. Furthermore. Jack never had 8 key to this office. so he could not have come here Saturday night or ! Sunday and gained access to .Ir. i Bordcn's office. even if he could
 have entered the building and left it unobsrNed by the elevator man. l You must believe me when I tell ! you that the key which the waiter
 picked up and handed to Jack was the key to my apartment. not my
 office key. No, Mir. McMann, you're on the wrong scent. Please believe l me, please keep an open mind or some theory which will explain all
 the facts"
 | And one or those facts" Me- { Mann pointed out, lis that Harry
 Borden fired shot which grazc'l
 a brick in tho wall beside Jack | Hayward S window.'
 l And what does that prove --- against Jack Ruth challenged. 'H'll grant that Mir. Bord.a was standing .lear that window wn>n h.
 that lie was facing the window
 when he took aim? If his mur- derer-or murdt dtress-fired at him | in this office. isn't it easy to pie i ture Mir. Borden's arm flying out. after he was hit. so that the bullet
 with which he had meant to kill his
 attacker. was discharged through the window" Why assume that he i had aimed at someone in Jack g
 window? There was simply mo-
 where else for the bullet 10 go--" Just a minute." McMann inter-
 rupted Detective Rirdwen opened
 the door between the private office
 and the outer office. What is it, 1 Birdwell" 2"
 commissioner Weeks on the wire from healu larters. sir" McMann reached for the instru-
 ment on Eordens desk. but before
 he removed the receiver. he spoke
 to Ruth; That's all for the pres
 ent. Miss Lester. Please remain in | the outer offic- till need you again. You might open and sort
 the afternoon mail. I'll take
 charge of it anl SO over it later. of course.'
 As Ruth slipped through the door which Rirdwel held for her she heard the detective sergeant greet
 his superior. the police commis-
 Soncr.
 Sickly she realized what tha: ! call from the head Of the police de-
 partmcnt meant. Commissioner Weeks was famous for his choleric ! temper. his impatient demand for i quick results, especially in sensa . , lional eases. like the murder of
 Handsome Harry Borden. His ! motto seemed to be Arrest some ] hody-anybody - and find out the ! truth later" In this particular
 case. Jack Hayward would un- : doubtedly be the victim Of 'ommis.
 sioner Weeks avid appetite for ] newspaper praise.
 Fifteen minu'cs later, as she sal 1 at her desk. trying to concentrate l Gpon he thick sheaf of correspond ] .nce addressed 10 a man who would | never read if. Police Commissioner
 Weeks arrived.
 Ruth knew the commissioner | personally. In the old days. bcfOr" Ter fathers death. Weeks had occa- | sionally dinrd with the famous
 criminal lawyer. Colby Lester. Sh" 1 rose and faced the tall. lean. dis l tlne euished looking man who had i parked ont a curt greeting 10 De- | tertiye Rirdwell.
 "Ho" do you do. Mir. Weeks ." she l faitered. trying to make her trent l'ling lips smile naturally. T won | der if you remember me?' Light sprang into Commissioner i Weeks cold eyes: a broad smile i flashed suddenly beneath his stuhhy 1 white Inlistache. Remember yo,t
 chiId?" he exclaimed cordially. talk 1 ing her cold little hand in both his 1 'Who could forget your pretty face l You're Colby Lestcr's daughter, oi course. And while I'm mighty sorry that you're dragged into this | miserable business. I'm glad 10 See ] you again. How are you. my dcar?'' Well. and - very happy" Euth l answered steadily. You see Mr | Weeks. I'm engaged to be married