The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-03
Murder Al BridCe
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JUNITA sELIM is murdered at bridge. Suspicion rests on nearly all of her guests. LYDIA, shows SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR DUNDEE presents she. gave her, including a bronze lamp with a broken bulb which indicates to Dundee that the murderer bumped into it while fleeing toward the back hall. TRACEY MILES. ono of the guests. returns and offers to take Lydia home with him if he may, and Dundee tells her of this, and reads Nita's will, leaving everything to Lydia, which shows Nita's fear of murder and also gives a new motive for the crime to Lydia. Lydia knows nothing of the $1O,OOO Nita deposited since she came to Hamilton.
 In note to Lydia, Nita tells her to dress her for cremation in a velvet dress, IF or 13 years old, which Dundee suspects is Q wed. ding dress. He learns from Lydia that Nita went out with RALPH HAMMOND, in lOcc with her and missing from the party, Thursday night. and Friday night. the night she made the will, saw DEXTER SPRAGUE, who left her upset. Dundee tells Miles that Lydia ac- ccpts the offer, and asks him if he saw Ralph at Nita's house when he called that morning, and what was his attitude.
 NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
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 "Unusual?" Miles repeated. frowning. "He was a little short with me because he was busy, and, suspect. little jealous because I'd come calling on Nita-" He broke off abruptly, in obvious dis tress. Look here, Dundee! didn't mean to say that, but l sup pose you'll find out sooner or later We'll, the fact is. the whole crowd knows Ralph Hammond was absolutely mad about Nita Selim. Wanted to marry her, and made no secret of it, though we all thought or hoped 1t would be little Penny Grain. He's been devoted to Penny for years, and since Roger Grain made mess of things and skipped out, leaving Penny and her poor mother high and dry. we've all done our best to throw Penny and Ralph together. But since Nita came to town"
 Was Nlta in love with Ralph ?" Dundee cut in, rather curtly, for he had curious distaste for hear ing Penny Grain discussed in this manner.
 Sometimes we were sure she was," Miles answered. "She flirted with all of us men-had way with her of making every man she talked to think he was the only pebble on the beach. But there was something special in the way she looked at Ralph. Yes. think again." he drowned, "she would treat him like a dog. Seemed to want to drive him away from her but she always called him back Oh. Lord!" he interrupted himself with a groan. Now I suppose I have put my foot in it! You've got the damnedest way of making a chap tell everything he would cut out his tongue rather than spill. Dundee! But just because a young mans in love. and happens not to show up at a party. is no reason to think he sneaked up to the house and killed the woman he loved and wanted to marry. For I'm not so dumb that I haven't seen the drift of your damnable questions, Dun- dee! Do you know Ralph Ham, mond, by any chance?" he con- cluded, his round face red with anger.
 "No - but I should like to meet him." Dundee retorted. "He seems quite hard to locate this evening"
 Well, when you do find him." Tracey Miles began violently. his blue eyes blazing with anger, you'll soon find you've been bark ing up the wrong tree! There's not a cleaner, finer, straighter--"
 In fact, he is friend of yours. Miles," Tundee answered sooth- ingly, "and l respect you for every word you've said. By the way, did all of you go to the Country club for dinner after you left here?"
 Somewhat modified. Miles an- swered: All of us but Give Ham, mond. He said he was going to have q look around for Ralph him self. Seemed to have an idea where he might find him. And, oh yes. Sprague disappeared in the scramble. He hasn't n car and nos body thought of offering him lift. Guess he took a bus into Hamilton An. Here's Lydia! '. Hello. Lydia!" he called heartily to the woman who was standing. tall and guant. in the doorway. Mighty glad you're coming to look after the kids!'
 From behind the black veil which draped her usly black hut and hid