The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-24
BEGIN HERE TO-DAY.

HALHeA1 1OsD<AIs
 JUANITA SELIM Is murdered at bridge; four days later DEXTER SPRAGUE is also murdered during bridge party at the TRACEY MILES home. Police think both tO avcnge the death of SWALLOW TAIL SAMMY" SAVEL1I. e"BON- ME- DUNDEE thinks the murders were committed by ono of six pcO- pie, guests in both homes at the time of the murders.
 Nita banked $fO.OOO since her arrival in Hamilton. which the police think was her pay for dOublc-crOssing Sayclli. and which Dundee thinks is blackmail. The possible case against FLORA MILES is strong. He reasons 1t this way: After paying blackmaiI to Nita. Flora sees note to Nita on Iracey's stationery. and thinks Nita I,as told her secret. Tn dcs- pcration. she shoots her. hides fI,c gun on the secret sIlcld in the guests closet. and returns to de- stfOy the note. Finding it Is from Spraguc, she faints in horror just before the body is discovered. Miles. who returns later to the Selim house to take LYDIA, Nita's maid and heir, home with him. has opportunity to remove the gun, if Flora has confessed her crime. He himself could have killed Spraguc from outside just after his guests leave if Spraguc Is threatening to cxpOsc Flora.
 Dundee learns that Miles was rushed into the engagement by Flora. an intensely passionate rt,u 1s< <,fc I,Ar t,.<, suitOrs. PENNY GRAIN assures Dundee he is on the wrong track Arriving .n New York. Dundee asks at the store where Nita bought the dress that was her shrOud, for the date of the sale.
 NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER KILL
 The white e-haired, smartly- dressed buyer accepted the sheaf of photo- graphs Bonnie Dundee was offering. ''I'll do my best, of course" she began briskly. then paled and ut tered a sharp exclamation as her eyes took In the topmost picture. This is Juanita Leigh. isn't it? But" she shuddered. "how odd she looks--as if--"
 Yes" Dundee agreed gravely. "She was dead when that picture was taken, Did you know Mrs Selim?"
 No" the woman breathed, her eyes still bulgiDg with horror. But I've seen so many pictures of her in the papers. . To think that it was one of our dresses she chose for her shroud! But you want to know when the dress was sold to her. don't you?" she asked. brisk again. 'I can find out. We keep a record of all our French originals and of the number of copies made of each Let me think! I've been going to Paris myself for the firm for the past 15 years, but l can't remember buying this Pierre model. . Oh, of course! I didn't go over during 1917 and 1918, on account of the war. you know. but the big Paris designers managed to send us a limited number of very good models and this must have been one of them. otherwise. I'd remember buying it. If you'll excuse me q moment-'
 When she returned about 10 min- utes later, Miss Thomas brought him penciled memorandum This Pierre model was imported in the summer of 1917. several months in advance of the winter season. of course. Only five copies were made in different colors and materials, naturally, since we make a point of exclusiveness. The royal blue velvet copy was sold to Juanita Leigh in January, 1918. I am sorry I cannot give you the exact day of the month, but our records show the month only. I took the liberty of showing a picture of the dress to the only saleswoman in the department who has been with us that long, but she cannot remember the sale. Twelve years is a long time, you know"
 Indeed it is." Dundee agreed re- gretfulIy. You have been im- mensely helpful. however, Miss Thomas. and I thank you with all my heart"
 'If you could just tell me-confi- dentially, of course" Miss Thomas whispered. "what sort of clue this dress is"
 "I don't know myself!" the de- tective admitted. But" he added buyers natural curiosity, 'I intend to find out!"
 ther steps along that particular path, however, Dundee had an appoint ment to keep. After arriving at his hotel that morning he had made two telephone calls. He smiled now as he recalled the surprise and