New Britain herald., 1929-02-22
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THIS HAS HAPPENED

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 The body of Handsome Harry" Borden. promoter of dubious sock companies, is found Monday morn- ing by his secretary. Ruth Lester. sprawled beneath the airshaft win dow of his private office. The scene of the investigation is the once of the victim, The first suspect ques- tioned by Police Detective McMann is Mrs Borden. Borden's wife and mother of his two children. who ad- mits calling Saturday afternoon TOT her monthly alimony check. but de- nies knowledge of the crime.
 The second suspect is Ruth Les fer who confesses Borden's attempt ed familiarity with her on Saturday morning but insists she knows noth- ing of the crime. However. the pls- tol she kept in her desk Is missing.
 The next suspect is Ruth's fiance. Jack Hayward, whose office Is )ust across the narrow airshaft from Borden's. His pistol. which he pur- chased at the same time he bought a weapon for Ruth, is also missing.
 McMann strengthens the case against Jack by bringing In blli Cowan. who tells of hearing JACK threaten Borden Saturday morning coyan also tells of telephoning Jack Saturday afternoon. of being plugged in on a busy line. and of hearing Borden quarreling violently. pre- sumably with Hayward.
 The evidence of the elevator boys. Micky Moran and Otto Pfuger. is damaging both to Ruth and to Jack. Phillips. waiter. who served Ruth and lack their Saturday luncheon. Is questioned. McMann sends for Mln- nie Cassidy and Lettie Miller. clean ing women for the seventh floor. A plainclothes detective is also dfs- patched to bring in Benny smith. Rorden's office boy. and Rita Dubois, night club dancer and friend or Borden's. Nelson, medical examiner. calls McMann to tell the results of his examination.
 tNoW GO ON WITH THE STORY)
 CHAPTER XXI
 Hello, Dr. Nelson! McMann speakine," the detective sergeant greeted the medical examiner on the other end of the wire. Whats the done? Fine! And can you tell me any more definitely when death occurred? Hm! Close enough guess. Let's see-that places the murder between two and four O'CLOCK Saturday. eh? Thanks. doc!,
 McMann hung up the receiver and faced the couple who waited. scarce ly breathing. Well, Hayward. don't think you'll be surprised to learn that the bullet which killed Harry Borden was the regulation hu,let for a Colts .3S caliber auto- matic. Anything to say now. my lad?"
 .Nothing-except that did no' kil, Borden and have no idea wne did" Jack Hayward answered steadily.
 "Mr. McMann. please don't forge that my gun was exactly like MT Hayward's-a Colts .sS. and that It too. is missing" Ruth begged earn tstly. Cant you see that if Jack haf had killed MT. Borden he would not have disposed of my gun as vel as his own, because he would know that the absence of my pistol wouie make suspicion fall on me?"
 Again that gleam of admiration in the detectives grim gray eyes "Covey, this is Colby Lester'i daughter" he remarked. with grin. to his subordinate. "A chip or the old block, eh? Now. Mls Lester. there's just one more ques tion for the present: did you yoursel dispose of your pistol. either befor' the crime on Saturday. 20 that I would not be available if Hayward forced his way into these offices ant quarreled with Borden. or this morn ing after your discovery of the body to confuse the investigation with tw' missing pistols? Just minute please! I'm asking that question o the daughter Of Colby Lester. tn finest and most honorable crimina lawyer it has ever been my privileg to know"
 Color swept from Ruth's throat t the fringe of curls on her forehea' as she drew her small body yer erect and faced McMann with wide unflinching blue eyes. MT. McMann l swear on the name of my dea' father who taught me truth an honor-I did not touch the gun, did not remove it. for any reasol whatsoever, from my desk, and ! d. not know where it is!'
 McMann gazed keenly into he eyes as she swore her solemn oath then beckoned Covey to his side. Tn two men conversed in whispers fo a minute or two. while Ruth an Jack retreated, hand in hand. towar the front windows.
 'Well-12 o'clock, Time 10 lunch"' McMann surprised theE both by booming out cheerfully. "I like you to be back by one, if con