The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-07

MEDICAL examiner
FRANK SWACKER =. Sec
rotary to the District Attorne,
CuRRiE ....:...... vance's vale
s. S. VAN DINE -: The Narrator
THIS HAS HAPPENED
A wOman's gloves and handbag
found at the scene of the murder
are traced to Miss St. Clair. Wher
Markham questions her and threat
ems her with arrest she is flippan
and unconcerned. Vance later in
sists she could not have killed Ben
son and by means of measurement.
demonstrates that the murderer
was six feet tall or thereabOuts anc
a good marksman.
NOW BEGIN THE STORY
CHAPTER XXI
Once more Vance went to the
door, and summoning Snitkin, re.
turned the pistol.
''The District Attorney thanks
YOU" he said. "And will you be
good enough to fetch Mrs. Platz.
We wish to chat with her."
Turning back to the room, he
smiled amiably at Markham.
II desire to do all the conversing
with the lady this time, if you
don't mind. There are potentiali-
ties in Mrs. Plate which you en-
tirely overlooked when you ques-
toned her yesterday.
Markham was interested, though
sceptical.
"You have the floor" he said.
Saturday. June Is, $50 p. m.
When the housekeeper entered
she appeared even more composed
than when Markham had first cues
toned her. There was something
at once sullen end indomitable in
her manner, and she looked at me
with a slightly challenging express
sion.
Markham merely nodded to her,
but Vance stood up and indicated
low tufted Morris chair near the
fireplace, facing the front windows.
She sat down on the edge Of it,
resting her elbows on its broad
arms.
II have some questions to ask
you, Mrs. Platz," Vance tegan, fix
ing her sharply with his gaze; land
it will be best for everyone if you
tell the whole truth. You under
stand mech, what 2"
The easy-going, half whimsical
manner he had taken with Mark
ham had disappeared. He stood
before the woman, stern and i'm
placable.
At his words she lifted her head.
Her face was blank. but her mouth
was set stubbornly, and shoulder
ing look in her eyes told o. a sup
pressed anxiety.
Vance waited : moment and then
went on, enunciating each word
with distinctness.
AT what time, on the day Mr..
Benson was killed, did the lady
call hcre?"
The woman's gaze did not falter,
but the pupils Of her eyes dilated.
There was nobody here"
"Oh. yes, there was, Mrs. Platz."
Vance's tone was assuring. "What
time did she call ?"
"Nobody was tere. I tell you,"
she persisted.
Vance lit a cigaret with inter-
minable elaboration, his eyes rest,
ing steadily on hers. He smoked
placidly until her gaze dropped.
Then he stepped nearer to her, and
said firmly:
IF you ten the truth no harm
will come to you. But if you refuse
any information you will find your
self in trouble. The withholding of
evidence is crime, y know, and
the law will show you no mercy"
He made sly grimace at Mark
ham, who was watching the pro-
ceedings with interest.
signs Of agitation. She drew in her
elbows, and her breathing quick
ened.
an Gods name, I swear it,
there wasn't anybody here" A
slight hoarseness gave evidence Of
her emotion.
"Let US not invoke the Deity"
suggested van-e carelessly. "What
time was the lady here :"
She set her lips stubbornly, and
for q whole minute there was si-
lence in the room. Vance smoked
quietly. but Markham held his cigar
motionless between his thumb and
forefinger in an attitude Of expect
ancy.
Again vance's impassive voice