The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-03-02
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: the boy answered sullenly. Il had
to come back TO the office for some
thing I'd forgot"
What was it2" the detective in
terrupted harshly.
To Ruth'S aInaZement. color
flooded the boys pale, freckled face.
'T-I-just something-I don't re-
member" he Stammered.
Listen here, my boy, I'll clap the
handouts on you too quick to talk
about if you don't answer my ques-
tons and answer them truthfully!"
McMann threatened, emphasizing
his words with a thump Of his fist
upon the dead mans desk. What
did you come back for? The truth,
now. or the handouts for you, my
lad!'
Benny covered lower in his chair
and shivered, looking wildly toward
Ruth for help. Tell the truth,
Benny" the girl urged.
II come back to get Miss Les
ter's-gun," the boy gasped. I took
it Saturday before last for target
practice out in the country and
brought it back Monday morning,
without Ruth knowing nothing
about it. didn't mean no harm"
Obi" The exclamation seemed to
burst from Ruth's despairing heart,
rather thar from her throat. II
Benny had taken her automatic,
McMann would of course consider
the mystery entirely solved.
With that troublesome second
weapon thus eliminated, how could
she expect the detective to have any
doubt, that it was Jack Hayward's
gun which had fired the fatal shot?
And it was she who had urged
Benny to tell the TRUTH
"All right, Benny!'' McMann in
terrupted harshly. where's the gun
now? Did you bring it in with
you?"
At Ruth's cry of anguish the Of
flee boy had raised his terror
stricken eyes to search her face.
But at the detectives question he
faced his tormentor, his chin thrust
out belligerently. IT don't know
where it is! I didn't take it Satur-
Gay, cause it wasn't there! And
that the truth, so help me God"
Ruth, in her joy, could have
kissed every freckle on the holnely
young face, but the detectives saw
age effort to make the boy confess
that he had lied killed that joy in
the moment of its birth.
Finally. since the boy, miserably
i'll and frightened though he was,
stuck stubbornly to his story, NC
Mann tried a new trick: And you
saw Borden, did you, when you came
back to swipe Miss Testers gum"
Wasn't gonna swipe it; was just
gonna borrow it," Benny quavered.
eyes, I seen him all right. He was
settin' at his desk. I seen him
through the door. Old Minnie left
it open when she was emptying his
wastebasket.
II was closing the drawer of Miss
Testers desk, and he thought I was
her. cause he called out, That you,
Miss Lester?' and I stepped into the
middle Of the Office, SOS he could
see me, and I said, No, sir, it's me,
Mr.. Borden And he yelled out,
Then what the devil are you hang
ing around here for? What are you
looking for in Miss Testers desk?'
And I said I was lookin' for a stamp,
and he said to get tell out of here,
and--and I beat it. An ats all
honest to God!"
ID EMMY" Ruth asked quickly,
ID before McMann could spring
his next question, did you see my
pistol on Mr.. Bordens desk when
you we're talking to him?"
"You keep out of this, Miss Les
teri" McMann said sharply. This
love-sick young puppy would swear
black was white if he thought you
wanted him to-"
Il didn't see the gun, but wasn't
looking at his desk" Benny an
sTered the question, in defiance of
the detective, but his freckled young
face was beet-red at the charge Nc