New Britain herald., 1929-03-16

puglllst. We-ell, Cap" he admitted
reluctantly. II reckon that was me.
Harry was payin' me a good salry
to perfect him. wasn't he? ] jist
done my duty-'at's all! But
never hit her till she snatched open
her handbag-like she was reachin'
for a gun-and Harry yelled at ME
to help him."
And did she have one?'
NO the dead mans efficient
bodyguard admitted. Reckon she
was after a picture Of the kid she
had in her bag. Had Merry Christ
man for my Dad wrote on it"
1t was not a laugh this time that
told that Jake Bailey's words had
struck home. 1t was a long drawn
oh" of infinite misery. SO heart
rending that Ruth Lester involun.
tarily leaned forward and patted
those tight-locked hands whose mes
sage she had not yet had time to
read.
And after you knocked her out ?"
McMann prodded his witness.
We'll, me and Harry fixed her up
with some brandy. and took her
down and put her in a taxi. Paid
for it, too" the ex-pugilist added
Nirtuously.
And did Borden later intimate
to you that he feared this woman
would kill him."
Martha Manning raised her head
then and stared steadily at the man
who leaned nonchalantly against her
dead lovers desk.
Sure" came the emphatic an
swer in cracking falsetto. He
said he'd a-swore she was gonna
croak him that time, and he bet
she'd do it yet"
80 you offered to put her out Of
the way for him. didn't you?" Nc
Mann asked casually. after a glance
at the notes he had made on the
story of Frank Ashe, Bordens man.
servant.
well, didn't so it won't be me
attn sit in the chair" Bailey re-
torted.
And did you see Miss Manning
again." McMann pursued his ques-
tioning.
"Naw-gucss she laid low AMI
waited Till was out of town."
Bailey answered
you didn't see her on Friday
night"
mo. I left town on Friday night,
like | told you"
But you were with Borden be-
fore you left?"
Sure ] was. went with him to
the Crillon, a swell feed joint and
waited outside while he ct with
his new sweetie, that classy little
dancer he picked up at the Golden
Slipper Bout half-past six it was
when he met Rita there, and around
eight when him and her come out.
He put the frail in taxi. and prom
ised to see her at the Golden Slip
per about 10. before Der act went on
at II. She wouldn't let him drive
over to her hotel with her
al " hSS hNttu pItitS lltLy Will ulHt
that dame did. So him and ME
hoped into another cab and came
on over to his office. Said he was
dopin' out a new scheme and
wanted to work awhile before goin'
to the Golden Slipper
And did you come up with him."
'Sure. Harry wouldn't so into
his own office at night alone, II he
could help it. Scared some sucker
who was sore at him because he'd
lost his money might be layin' for
him. or this dame here" and Jake
jerkod his head toward Martha
Manning. Il come up all right. and
we set here awhile. chewin' the rag
told me about this dancin' baby
he was gonna take to Winter Haven
with him Saturday. if he could get
her boss to let her off"
How long were you with Bor-
den ."
"Oh. bout half an hour, I guess"
Jake answered readily. Il didn't
have nothin' to do but kill time be-
fore my train left - 9:24, that was.
Must a-been round nine when
beat it-sure. that's when it was!
Eight fifty-five. / remember ask.
ing the elevator man what time il
was, when he showed his book at
me 10 sign out. They make you
write down the time and your name
and the office you've been in"
"Plcase. MIR. McMann, may ask
a question ?" Ruth spoke for the
first time since Jake Bailey had en-
tered the room. I've just been WON
dering how Mr.. Borden got into his
office, since he'd given his key to
Rita Dubois Friday afternoon and
never did get it back"
That's right" McMann agreed.
rather ungraciously. He did not
enjoy having been caught mapping.
How did Borden get in, Jake?"
Check. kid" and Jake touched
his forehead in a salute TO Ruth.
Harry didn't remember till he got
10 his door that he didn't have a
key. and since never had one my
self he had to hunt up one of the
old james that cleans the offices 10
let him in with hcrcpa sskey. He
couldn't find the old lady that took
care of his office regular. and had to
prove who he was by shown a
letter with his name on it to the
woman ! secuted around and found
for him"