The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-01-20

Bannister purSed his lips. There's something there!" he as7 sured himself. And instantly he set task for himself. It was to learn more about Matthew Hollister.
 He went first to Jim Paxton. You're an old-timer here, Jim" he said. At least your family's ben here long time. What do you know about Matthew Hollis ter?"
 But Paxton could tell him noth- ing he had not known before. The Hollisters, he knew, were an aristo- cratic family. Once they had been rather prominent socially, Paxton thought, but not since he could re- member. He knew Matthew by sight, though he had never spoken to him.
 "What's up?" he demanded. Something new on the murder?"
 "No," Bannister told him. Just an idea. I've got into my head. That's all. If it turns into any, thing I'll let you know" He went next to Bob Whitaker, the oldest man on the Posts edi- | torial staff. Bob held the title of 6ldIc 6ulIOI duO Illo WOIh "do uSeSA- | ing with the out-of-town news cor respondents. He had worked on the Post for 30 years and was a walking volume of local history. "What'd you want to know about the Hollisters?" he demanded. Anything you can tell me-" Bob Whitaker's account was sim liar to Mrs Harborough's Aid Ezra Hollister, Matthew's father, had built up what was considered a fortune for his day. Mrs Hollister died before her husband and the money was left to Melvina and Mat thew with the stipulation that it was not to be divided and, so long as Melvina lived, she was to say how the money should be used.
 Beyond that. Bob Whitaker had little to offer except one comment. "I wasn't as surprised as everyone else seems to have been when they found her dead," he said. Mel vina Holster was a Tartar"
 What do you mean?"
 "She had the meanest disposition and the sharpest tongue of any woman I ever met. I don't see how her brother stood 1t all those years. letting her boss him around the way Sne ulu.
 "He seems meek enough" ooh, sure! How do you think he'd ever have lived with Melvina I'll bet he's glad to be able to call his soul his own"
 The interview had not been alto gether satisfactorily. It was near lunch time and Canister left the newspaper office, walking toward his favorite restaurant. As he neared the street intersection a large blue sedan halted at the other side of the street. A man stepped out of the car and Bannfs- ter caught a glimpse of the girl who was driving. She wore a brown hat and dark red suit. Almost immediately the car was on 1t way again. and hurried forward.
 Parker Coleman said, Hello Haven't seen you in a long while.
 "You're just the man want tt talk to-" Bannister told him. "Hov about coming to lunch with me?'
 "Glad to-"
 They strolled on to the restau rant, found table and ordeGed Coleman lighted a cigaret ant asked negligently, What's on you mind?" :. don't know" he said. I'm no quite sure. Do you remember thu night we found Al Drugan's ca wrecked that we had been talking about Melvina Holister?" | sNrnp CnIornan caid HT don't hp lieve I do."
 Don't you remember that while we were at dinner I told you PC seen her brother, Matthew, and ht told me he was worried about her afraid she knew something sh, wasn't telling the police? I asked you to go and have Q talk witf her."
 By George, I do remember now Hadn't thought of 1t again unti this minute. She's the old girl wht was strangled--"
 "she's tho one" Bannistel agreed. "so you didn't get around
 I'm damned sorry about 1t Bannister. remember now that promised. suppose 1t was because of all tho excitement over Drugar that forgot. I've been rather bus, lately, too"
 BannIster nodded. CT can Under. stand" he said, "but l wish you'd sen her just tho same, ] was talk ing to her brother n while ago"
 Broken up about what happen
 "N0. That's tho queer part. Hs isn't. in fact he's looking better than ever saw him before"
 "YOu don't nayl"
 Coleman raised hls eyes In sue prise. And lt was then that the ldnn nnmA in lannnlNAr.