The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-08-22

Christine took the water grate- fully.
 Meantime another subordinate hurried in and put an envelop on the desk.
 They've found Mrs. TalDerts car, Chief" he said in an undertone. Locked and parked at the end of the 27th street dock. The number checks at the state office"
 Inspector Parsons glanced through the contents of the envelope.
 "Okay," he nodded. "'set one of the Amalgamated officials and check up on the rest of the stockholders And wait minute-see if any of these keys open that car" He took a key holder from his pocket. Nov, MT. Yardley, how long have you known Mrs. Talbert."
 After a fashion for 10 or 12 years"
 But - why, he didn't tell me this Christine thought.
 What do you mean by after a fashion,"
 q met her at horse show where I was riding. Since then I've train ed several thoroughbreds for her. But I've seen her very seldom"
 But often enough to borrow money of her?"
 Bill flushed angrily under his tan.
 That's matter of record. You can easily find ollt-"
 T have already found out" the in- spector cut in coldly. "The notary who always witnesses her papers re- members the transaction. Several years ago Mrs. Talbert lent you $20,- 0O0."
 Christine listened incredulously.
 "In return" Inspector Parsons went on, flor a silent partnership in your firm - which, at the time, wasn't worth $10,000.
 Mrs. Talbert knew that"
 But which is now worth many times as much. Your agreement with Mrs. Talbert was unusual. At the death of either of you, your joint property automa tically reverted to the other. On your repaying the loan, it reverted to you.
 Have you repaid that loan?"
 Mot entirely"
 The inspector swung on MT. Will met.
 MT. Wilmet," he said, you own some Amalgamated stock. I believer
 MT. Wilmet moistened his lips.
 "Mhy, yes-yes,. I have a few shares" he admitted.
 Tt might be interesting to know how you voted on that merger be- tween Amalgamated and National that went through at the stock holders meeting yesterday"
 Well" MT. Wilmet said nerv- ously, "as a matter of fact, didn't go to the meeting at all"
 "You didn't have to go. Someone else could have voted your stock by proxy"
 But why should they?"
 Mrs. Talbert was interested in preventing that merger. Yet two days before the meeting, Mrs. Tal- bert's house was suddenly closed, the servants sent on vacation, and the telephone discontinued; and Mrs Talbert, who owned enough stock to stop that merger single-handed, ap- parently went of somewhere on a trip. I believe some of the Amalga- mated stockholders might know where she went ond why. Nov when my men found you in that drug store. about l, you said you hao been attending a show from g until after 12 o'clock. Could you prove that?"
 "No, sir" MT. Wilmet was white, but he spoke with spirit that sur prised Christine. why should l ex- pect I'd have to?"
 Bill Yardley moved as if to speak; but apparently thought bet ter of it. The inspector glanced at him with interest; but MT. Wilmet was going on:
 And I must say, Inspector, that I resent you mems taking away the only comfortable pair of walking shoes I had. I've got bad arches, and these hurt me"
 Christine remembered that she had seein the little man stumble several times after he had ap- peared on the Boardwalk. Now he was wriggling his small feet in their trim dress hoes in obvious discomfort; and he seemed about to expand on his grievances. But the inspector cut in:
 You'll get them back. By the way, Yardley, suppose you step into the next room-and you - he indicated JaSpar. we want look at the shoes you're wearing.
 AS Bill and Jaspar filed obediently out, another officer slipped in and handed the inspector report.
 "As I expected" Inspector Par sons commented after glancing at the paper. 'The only prints on that dagger are identical with those Miss -Nevin, did you say the name is? made on that glass she drank from while ago. If there were any others, someone has cleaned them off"
 Christine started to say, "Inspec- tor, my name isn't