The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-12-23
CHAPTER THIRTY

IT was exactly II O'clock when
Il Lydia Carr, accompanied by De-
tective Collins of the homicide
squad carrying small suitcase,
arrived at the district attorneys
Office.
Il kept my eye on her every min
ute Of the time to see that there
wasn't no shenanigans," Collins in
formed Dundee and Sanderson i'm
portantly, callous to the fact that
the maid could hear him. But I
let her bring along everything she
said she needed to lay the body out
in. Was that right"
Right agreed the district at
tOrney, as Dundee opened the suit
case upon Sanderson's desk.
The royal blue velvet dress lay,
neatly folded, on top. Dundee shook
out it's folds. It looked remarkably
fresh and new, in spite of the years
it had hung in Mia Selim's various
clothes closets, preserved for only
God knows what tender memories.
Perhaps the beautiful little dancer
had intended all those years that it
should be her shroud.
ooh, it's lovelyp Penny Grain,
who was looking On, cried out in
voluntarily. ut looks like a French
model"
Its a copy of a French model.
You can see by the label on the
back of the neck" Lydia answered,
her one good eye softening for
Penny.
$50 it isl" Dundee agreed, and
took out his penknife to snip the
threads which fastened the white
satin, gold-lettered label to the
frock. Pierre Model. Copied by
Simonson's-New York City," he
read aloud, and slipped the little
square of satin into the envelope
containing the murdered woman's
will, for temporary safekeeping.
We'll, Penny, I'm glad you like
the dress, for I'm going to ask you
to do the mannikin stunt in it as
soon as Carraway arrives with his
camera
Penny turned very pale, but she
said nothing in protest, and Dun
dee continued to unpack the suit
case.
His masculine hands looked clum-
sy as he handled the costume slip
and miniature dancing set"-bras
siere and "step-ins"- matching,
Of f1lmiest f1ash-colored chiffon and
fine lace. His fingers f1inched from
contact with the switch of long,
silky black curls.
"She bought all them after we
came to Hamilton" Lydia offered
in her harsh, fiat voice, pointing to
the undergarmentS. Them black
MORE pumps and them French
stockings are brand new, too.
Hundred-gauge silk, them stock
ings are, and never on her feet"
= n
I'd EADY for me?" Carraway had
IN appeared in the doorway, car
rying his biggest camera and tripod.
eyes, Carraway. :. just the
dress, Penny. want full
length front, back and side views
of Miss Grain wearing this dress,
Caraway.
Flashlights, of course. Better take
the pictures III Miss Grains Office"
Dundee directed. you stay here,
Lydia. I want to talk with you
while that job is being DONE
yes. sir" Lydia answered, and
accepted without thanks the chair
he offered.
"I suppose you have read the
Hamilton Morning News today,
Lydia?" Dundee began, when the
door had closed upon Penny and
Carraway.
Il havel"
May I have that paper, chief?
Thanks! Now Lydia, I want
you to read again the paragraphs
that are headed New York, May
IS and tell us if the facts are cor
rect"
Lydia accepted the paper and her
single eye scanned the following
lines obediently:
New York, May 25.
Mrs. Juanita Leigh Selim, who
was murdered Saturday after
noon in Hamilton, -, was
known along Broadway as Nita
Leigh. chorus girl and speciality
dancer. Her last known address