Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

14 "What business was your husband in when he went into the brokerage ?" he aNked, a queer note in his voice. " He was employed by the subway," Dale answered, "as a dispatcher." "I see." Kiilian faced George Mason again. "Listen," he went on, "would it be possible to drop a wire from that op'en window there and touch the third vail?" Mason shrugged. "That's only one chance in a million," ho replied. "You see, the _third rail r- covered most of the way." "Nevertheless, Tracy was electrocuted, and the man who committed the crime used a wire," declared Kiilian. "Hey, iiiotqrman, take us back to Fourteenth Street, and no stops on the way." The train was started, and Kiilian made his way to where the tremulous Herman Stevens was standing. "Just what did Borden say during tiuit quarrel at tlie office?" he demanded. "Well, I can't remember exactly," Stevens whimpered. "But after he'd accused Tracy of ill-treating Mrs. Tracy he said something about his former wife. And then he—he threatened Tracy with violence." Kiilian looked keenly interested. "Oh, so Tracy had a former wife, did he?" he murnuired. "Yes," put in Borden. "I only learned to-day that she was destitute, i.iid in hospital. Tracy was a cad, and he'd have served Dale the same way. He forced his first wife to break with him on account of his treatment^ and Dale would have had to^ break with him, too, sooner or later." Kiilian pursed his lips. "Stevens," he said, turning to the clerk again, "I want you to tell me exactly how tlie electrocution happened. Come through with it. You know how it was arranged. That's why you ran and hid." "No, no," Stevens whined. "Honestly, I didn't know anything. I thought he was just shot. I felt his body stiffen up after the gun went off." "You're lying. The body stiffened before the shot!" A look of panic crossed Stevens' face as he realised he had blundered. "How long before?" rasped Kiilian, gripping him. "Answer, will you? Was it before Borden got up and ^ave his scat to Mrs. Mullins ?" "Yes," Stevens faltered, "I think so- just before that." "Did you see Borden fooling with any wires after he came into the car?" Kiilian demanded. "Did you see anybody with any wire? Did you have any ?" "No!" Stevens panted. "Search him, Kearney," Kiilian ordered. "Now, inspector?" asked Kearney. "Right, chief." But no wire was forthcoming. Only a leather case containing a certificate of stock that the clerk had purcha.sed. Kiilian regarded this certificate. "I want to know your salary, Stevens," he said, "and if you've any family." 'I get forty dollars a week," the clerk muttered, "and I've got a wife and four kids." "Which makes it pretty tough to save. I gue^s." drawled Kiilian. "Yet you were able to buy three hundred dollars' worth of stock. Where did you get the money?" "1—I borrowed it from Tracy," Stevens answered evasively. "You mean you stole it," jerked Kiilian. fancying ho had found a new Oitobcr 3ril. 1U3). BOY'S CINEMA motive for the slaying. "And Tracy found out about it. Didn't he?" " Yes, but it was only three hundred dollars. Tracy was playing with the same stock. He went down on it the same as me, but what he lost was fifty thousand dollars of the firm's money." Borden started forward. "He did, did he?" he said. "He was playing the market, was he, with my money as well as his own ? Thanks for the information, Stevens " He .was interrupted by a commotion at the other end of the car, whence two boys came running with a pair of gloves. Curious gloves they were, for on examining them, Kiilian discovered that they were lined with rubber, and that a copper disc was fastened to each palm— the shape and size of the burn on Tiacy^s wrists! Killian's astute brain grappled with a theory. These gloves, lined as they were with rubber, would make it possible to seize a live wire without re- ceiving a shock. He showed the gloves to Borden. "You were once an electrical eiTgineer," he said. "If I made a con- nection between these two copper discs with a wire and then grabbed a live wire with one gloved hand and some- body's wrist with the other. Do you follow me?" " The man jou touched would be killed under the proper conditions," declared Borden. "I mean, if the current were strong enough and if the man were ' grounded.' " "The current from the third rail would be strong enough," Kiilian stated. "And if the victim were seated with his feet in a pool of water—would that constitute a gi-ound?" Borden admitted tliat the circuit would thereby be completed, and Kiilian pointed to a pool of water in front of the seat where Tracy had died. "It's been raining all day," he said. "And there's the pool of water from a dripping umbrella. Would you mind trying these gloves on, Borden ?" Borden obeyed, and looked relieved when they proved several sizes too small for him. But Kiilian seemed dis- satisfied. "Where did you get the current, Borden ? ' he asked sharply. "I didn't do it!' Borden protested hotly. "You see for yourself the gloves don't fit me. And even if I had done it I wouldn't have been fool enough to shoot the man on the too of it." "I'll admit the .«hot was accidental," Kiilian granted. "But the fight may have been a clever trick to diaw atten- tion from an accomplice, we'll say Stevens." He wheeled on the trembling clerk, and ordering Kearney to hold him. obtained a piece of string in lieu of wire. This he slipped under Stevens' coat, and then he forced him to thrust his haiuls into tlie rubber gloves and grasp the ends of the cord. "Pretty smart, weren't you?" Kiilian jerked. "To pick out a rainy night and let your iimbrella drip a pool of water around Tracy's feet to make the 'ground' you needed." "Here's an umbrella here," called the voice of Mrs. Cotton. "Lying under the scat that man Stevens occupied." "I didn't do it!" screamed Stevens. "I tell you, I didn't " "You killed Tracy!" Kiilian rapped out. "Wherc'd you get the current? Come clean, Stevens. Was it Borden who hired you to do it? Talk, will ^ Every Tuesday you? I've got enough evidence to send you to the chair!"' "I didn't do it," Stevens moaned. "Then tell me who did," Kiilian threatened, "or it's the cJiair for you." A sob escaped Stevens. "Wait," he whimpered. "Wait. I'll -I'll tell " Kiilian leaned forward attentively. Tugging at his collar Stevens tried to speak. But ere he could utter a' single word a hand touched the switch that operated the lights in the car. For the second time that day the train was plunged in darkness, and in the gloom there arose a sudden scuffle, punctuated by the crash of a shot. The Killer. IT was the guard who turned up the lights again and revealed a scene that was to be imprinted on the memories of all in the car. Stevens was dead, witlj a bullet in his back. The gun that had killed him was Kearney's, the unseen slayer having lifted it from the detective's pocket and then flung it to tlie floor. Nor was that all, for Kiilian discovered a length of wire that had been planted on his own person. There was no doubt in Killian's mind that it was the wire whidi had been used in the electrocution of Tracy. "Listen, folks," he said grimly, ' there's been two murders in this car, and Stevens was shot because he knew who did the first one. Now I'm going to find out the killer. Kearney, tell the motorman to take ue straight to Times Square without a stop, and while we're headed there have the passengers seated as tliey were before Tracy was electrocuted." Kearney obeyed, but looked uncom- fortable when he was told to take (he seat Stevens had occupied. "Now," said Kiilian, "we'll assume for tlie moment that Stevens was the man who had the gloves on." "Pardon me, inspector," Mrs. Cotton interposed, "but that Mr. Stevens didn't wear gloves. I remember distinctly, because he had such tliin nervous hands." "But I recollect seeing a man who did wear gloves," exclaimed Mrs. Mullins. "He was standing right in front of Tracy—not for long, though he was there when ihc lights failed just outside Times Square station. Then he sort of stumbled, and after that he went away. I don't know that I'd recognise him again, for I didn't specially look at him." Killian's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Thank you, Mrs. MulUns." he said, and then he began to don the rubber gloves with the discs, after which Jio made a contact with the wire that had been mysteriously planted on him. "Mason," he said, turning and facin;? the switcJi inspector, "would you mind taking Tracy's place?" "Surely," Mason agreed, and sat down, the spreading pool of water at his feet. "I know it's not very pleasant, swapping places with a dead man," said Kiilian. "But it will only be for a few-moments." " Approachiii' Times Square, Slier- lock Holmes," came the voire of the disgruntled motorman from the control" cabin. "All right," answered Kiilian. "Go ahead—very slowly. Now, Mrs. Mullins, the man witJi the gloves, was standing right here. Then tlie train (Continned on page 27.) '