The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-05-04


Blood had made a great stain IN
the carpet beside her and there
we're several stab wounds visible IN
her breast. 1t appeared that she
had literally been hacked to death
by someone in murderous frenzy.
shall never forget the quiet
horror of that scene, and III never
forget Margie Shannon, though
have seen her only in death: A
beautiful girl; she had red hair
that glinted like new copper, and
delicately fashioned eyebrows that
ended in a graceful, upward curve.
But her thin, well-shaped lips were
contorted and drawn back from
her teeth, and her dark bl!!e eyes
were glazed and staring. :,
think it was that little upward
twist of her eyebrows that mace
her face such an unforgettable
one. It lent her sort OF quest.
ing, puzzled look. Almost it seemed
that Margie Shannon, as she lay
there in death, was asking the an
sWer.
Cropsy, who was bending over
her, Strengthened up and turned
to one of his men. Bring the
maid in, Kornman," he said.
Maid Nervous About Questions
Kornman departed and returned
presently, followed by a colored
girl in a maids uniform.
Cropsy waited for Kornman to
close the door. and then he turned
to the maid, who was scared and
trembling.
Come over here" he said, and
motioned her to the little hallway
leading into the bedroom. We
could see that he was placing her
so she would not have to look at
the murdered girl.
You're the one who found Miss
Shannon this morning." he asked.
The girl nodded.
Tell me your name"
Bertha Ramsey"
"Well, Bertha, want you to
tell me just what happened. Take
your time and get it straight; no
body'S going to hurt you, and you
needn't be afraid of telling the
truth. What time did you report
for work this morning."
Eight o'clock, sir"
"And what time did you enter
this apartment"
About 9"
SIS that your usual time for
cleaning Miss Shannon's apart
ment?"
Bertha, staring out of fright
ened eyes, replied that it was
usually between nine and ten.
AL right" Cropsy said. Now
let's have everything just as it
happened"
The maid, obviously frightened
half out of her wits, told her story
haltingly and had to be prodded
frequently by CropSy, but it con-
sisted of the following informa-
ton:
She had reported for work at
the usual time, had made up the
beds and cleaned in several other
apartments and at about nine
O'Clock had knocked at Margie
Shannon's door. Getting no re-
spouse, she tried the door and then
opened it with her passkey. AS
she inserted the key she heard
another key fall to the floor on
the inside.
She then had entered the apart
ment and had stopped to pick UP
the fallen key; but almost stimuli
taneously she had noticed the body
of Margie Shannon lying directly
ahead of her on the floor near the
davenport.
She had screamed, she admitted,
and then run in panic down the
three flights of stairs to the tele-
phone desk and reported her dis
covery to the day operator, Mrs.
Carran. The latter had notified
the manager of the apartment,
who had instructed that the police
he called at once and then had
gone up in the elevator, accom-
panied by the unwilling Bertha,
and surveyed the scene himself.
Cropsy did not interrupt her
story except to prompt her when
she halted, but when she had fin
iShed he had some questions for
her.
Let's get this straight, now. You
say that when you knocked and
got no answer you used your pass
key, and showed another key out
of the door while you were unlock
ing it."
Yes sir"
This is the key right here?"
He led her over to the door and
bent over a key that lay on the
carpet.
yes sir, that's it. I didn't touch
it,"
Cropsy bent over and picked up
the key by the keyhole end, be-
tween the tips of his thumb and
forefinger. 1t was an ordinary
door key and not the patented
spring lock variety, and after
inspecting it closely Cronsy laid
it gingerly on the mantel above
the fireplace. We'll save that
for Cantwell," he haid, referring
to the departments fingerprint
expert.
Nov, something else" Cropsy
said to the girl. why, after
you heard the key fall out on
the inside, did you open the door
and enter? Didn't the presence
of the key in the lock indicate
that Miss Shannon was in the
apartment-probably asleep?"
Late Morning Sleep
Not Unusual Custom
Bertha Ramsey nodded. Eyes
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