Murder On The Waterfront

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 177, 29 July 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

Murder On The Waterfront

By---Sir Percy Urana

(No. V.) JUAN BORDERO had an evil- •» smelling: little shop in the evilsmelling narrow street leading to pier 2. It seemed an ordinary grocery shop, where a sailor might also get other things he wanted. If you called at the back door an;l knocked in a certain manner you could obtain groceries and cocaine, opium, hashish and other illegal merchandise as well. One night two policemen on patrol were walking down the street. On the waterfront they always go in twos. Suddenly shots were fired round the corner. The police drew their revolvers and (lashed down the etreet. Dashing un the street to meet them was Juan Uordero, terrified. "Murder," he shouted. "Murder, in my "shop." The policemen dashed into the shop, in the tiny telephone booth a bloodcovered apparition was huddled up. One of the policemen reached over the corpse, lifted the receiver carefully and telephoned for the homicide squad. When Captain Thomson arrived Bor- | dero was having a bad attack of 1 nerves. "It was a few minutes ago," ho replied, in answer to Captain Thom- ( son's questions. "I was doing the day's account. He came in to telephone. I . heard him dial a number, then begin to speak. Then a motor cycle stopped outside. Two men with revolvers came in. One covered me. The other went to the booth and shot the man who was telo- ' phoning. Then they left. I went to find 1 the police." , "Your version, Smith?" snapped Captain Thomeon. . "We heard shots, sir. We went tot wards the sound, and this man came running to meet ue shouting We followed him and found this man dead in the booth. I picked up the re- > ceiver to telephone headquarters." "Have you ever seen the murdered man before?" "No, sir." "Did anyone come into the shop after you?" "No, sir, we kept the crowd out." "Very well," said Captain Thomson. "Arrest Border©." ♦' ♦ ♦ ♦ WHY? ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ (Solution on Page 9)