The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-05

Nita went out with RALPH HAM, MOND, in love with her and missing from the party, Thursday night, and Friday night, the night she made her will. saw Sprague who left her upset. Dundee asws Miles if he saw Ralph at Nita's house that morning, and what was his attitude. Miles says that Ralph seemed n little jealous of his calling on Nita too, but that he couldn't have killed her. Miles and Lydia leave, and Dundee finds that the kitchen door has been unlocked. In the attic, the only hiding place for an intruder, he find in q bedroom traces of q man having slept there the night before. NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY CHAPTER XXIV.
 With the thrill of his discovery singing blithely along his nerves, Bonine Dundee. special investigator for the district attorney, had at first hugged the intention of following the new trail alone. Hadn't Capt Strawn taunted him not too good naturedly about his ability to get along without the younger mans help?
 But he was glad, both selfishly and unselfishly, when, half an hour later. he threw open the front door of dead Nita's house to the chief of the homicide squad, Carraway, the fingerprint expert, and the two plainclothesmen who had searched the top floor for the missing soon after the murder had been committed. For if Strawn needed his-Dundee's help, he needed the expert machinery which Strawn explained. And it was good to feel the grip of gratitude in the old chiefs handclasp and to see the all most shy twinkle of apology in his hard old gray eyes.
 Dundee led the way up the front stairs to the upper floor, glad to hear the heavy tread of official feet behind him.
 "I guess you've got it all doped out who the Selim woman's gentle man friend was," Strawn com- mented genially. as he followed Dundee into the pleasant, big bed room.
 'I believe l have. but I need Carraway to prove my hunch," Dun- dee acknowledged.
 Eagerly, swiftly, he displayed his first tangible finds-the open win dows, the drapes smelling of ciga- ret smoke, the evening paper of the day before, the faint odor and greasiness of barber's pomade upon the pillow case of the bed. which had clearly been slept in since the linen was changed.
 Now, Collins-Harmon- Dun dee whirled upon the two silent plainclothesmen, "I want to know what you saw in these rooms when you searched them early this even- ing that you don't see now. You looked into the closets and draw CTS of course?''
 "Yes, sir,' Collins answered. And they was all empty, Dundee. Me and Harmon didn't spend time smelling pillow cases. and l admit we didn't pay no attention to that there newspaper--"
 Empty" Dundee echoed. Are you sure? You, too, Harmon?"
 What are you driving at, boy?" Captain strawn asked indulgently.
 Briefly, with disappointment flattening his voice, Dundee told of his finding the kitchen door ajar, after he had made sure it was locked on ms IlTSL IOuuuS Ol Llc IouSc.
 q worked it out this way" he continued. despite Strawns grin. Dexter Sprague was in the habit of spending the night here when ever Nita would give him an even- ing of her company. He was here last night, according to the maid, Lydia Carr. Nita sent her into Hamilton to a picture show. Nita and Sprague quarreled last night. but I am positive he spent the night here anyway. Certainly there was no actual rupture, since Sprague worded his note to her as he did. have another strong reason for thinking his belongings were here at least until noon to-day, but that can wait for the moment. Further more. l am positive that Sprague descended by the backstairs and cocktail party which was to follow the hen bridge party"
 How do you make that out, Bon- nie?" Strawn asked, his grin wiped away.
 'rry to remember how Sprague looked when you first got here" Dundee suggested. "I saw him 20 minutes after you did, but--he was wearing an immaculate stiff collar. and there were still traces of tal- cum powder over a close new shave! And you will remember that he said he had made half hours trip by bus, and had walked the quarter of mile from the bus stop on Sheridan road to this house. It was a mighty hot after noon, chief"
 Not conclusive" Capt strawn growled.
 "Then here's another straw to add to the weight of my conclu- sion," Dundee went on. unshaken. You remember that Janet Ray mond was on the front porch watching for Sprague, while the death hand of bridge was being played? Oh. she tried to pro- tect him. Wait. I'll read you the notes l made when l was ques- tioning her. looked them up while was waiting for you. .. Here! I had said to Miss Raymond: You observed MT Sprague toilinG down the rutty road, hot and weary. but romantic in the sunset?' And she answered, stammering. I-l wasn't looking that way. And I knew she was lying, knew that she had been taken completely by surprise from the rear of the house!
 whats more, she betrayed her self and him by admitting that she didn't know, except that money had hn hRen