The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-08

tions without interruption, and in deed Sanderson's courtroom train ing had fitted him admirably for long speeches. But he could keep silent no longer.
 "That Is what has been worrying me, chief" he interrupted. Captain Strawn has given the papers very little real information. but the l truth is I am afraid one of your friends was not an innocent victim of circumstance
 District Attorney Sanderson sat down abruptly in the swivel chair at his desk. Just what do you mean. Dundee?"
 "I mean I am convinced that one of Mrs Selim's guests was her mur- derer, but I'd like to tell you the whole story, and let you judge for yourself
 My God." Sanderson ejaculated. | Slowly he drew out a handkerchief and mopped his freckled brow. "If I hadn't had a good many years of experience with criminals. Dundee, I'd say it is obvious on the face of it that none of those four men Judge Marshall, Tracey Miles, Johnny Drake, Give Hammond could have committed such a cheap,
 
 hostess during a bridge game Not that I haven't wanted to com init murder myself over many a bridge game" he added, with the irrepressible humor for which he was famous.
 Then he groaned. the rucful twinkle still in his eye: "I'm afraid we're in for lot of gruesome kid ding. Why, last night, in the club car of my train, three tables of bridge players could scarcely play a hand for wisecracking about the dangers of being dummy! .. Well, boy, now that I've talked my self past the worst shock, suppose you give me the low-down. But I warn you I'm going to take pow erful lot of convincing"
 Painstakingly. and in the great est detail. Dundee told the whole story. He was interrupted fre- duently, of course, scoffingly at first. then with deepening solemnity and respect on the part of the district attorney.
 Let me see the plan of the house again." he said. when Dundee had finished. Also that table proximate time and order of ar iiN''i VI 'ii' loti iiN''' '''i''N'''
 "You see, sir" Dundee repeated at last, the list of possible sus- poets includes Lydia Carr. Dexter Sprague. John C. Drake, Judge Marshall. Polly Beale, Flora Miles. Janet Raymond. Give Hammond" But Polly and Give were in the solarium together all the time!"
 "So they said,' Dundee agreed. ] "But 1t is very short trip from 1 the solarium by way of the side porch into Nita's bedroom. And mond could have made that trip, on the pretext fspeaking to Mia about RalpL! Motive: murder to end backmail. Naturally such a theory would not include both of them. but if one of them was being | blackmailed and made use of the pretcXt of warning Nita of Ra1ph's | overwrought condition-'
 | 'Spragues your man" Sander son interrupted with relief. Mo tive: jealousy because Nita was ditching him to marry Ralph As for the gun and silencer. 1t seems pretty clear to me that Nita herself stole it from Judge Mar shall. and that Sprague got it away from her. You say the maid. Lydia, went upstairs to tell Sprague he had 10 pack his things and take them away-for good! Very well! Sprague goes down the back stairs with the gun in his pocket. through :he back hall into Nita's bedroom, shoots her, bumps into the lamp. goes out by the back door, and comes around front to join the party. You say yourself he had admitted to everything but the l trip to Nita's room and the shoot ing-even to sneaking back to get