New Britain herald., 1927-09-19
g Charles ScribnerS Sons.

of But what indecent hour Suppose some
should see me-"
Markham moved forward impatienty in his chair
well, if you think the qualification of your curiosity
would compensate for the disgrace of being public
at o'clock in the morning you'll have hurry. certainly
won't take you dressnggown and bedroom slippers And
most certainly won't wait five minutes for you to get
dressed'
Why the haste, old DEAR" Vance asked yawnng The
chaps dead, don't yknow; he can't possibly away"
Come get move on, YOU orchid" the other urged
lhs affair no Joke It's damned serious; and from the
looks OF IT, It's to ungody scanda-What are
you going to do?'
DO? I shall humbly follow the great avenger of the
common people, returned Vance, rising and making
obsequious bow.
He rang for Curre and ordered his clothes brought to
I'm attending levee which Mr. Markham is holding
over corpse and want something rather spy Is warm
enough for silk suit? And lavender tie, by all
means"
Vance was dressing, with Curres assistance at
rate OF speed had rarely him display in such matters
Beneath his banterng pose recognized the true eageess
OF the man Tor experience and that promised such
dramatic possibilities for his alert and observing mind
you knew Alvin Benson casually believe" the district
attorney said We early this morning his housekeeper
phoned the local precinct station that she had found him
shot through the head fully dressed and sitting in his favor
lte chair in his living room The message Of course
put through at to the telegraph bureau at head
quarters and assistant duty notified me Immediately.
was tempted to let the case follow the regular police
routine. But half hour later Major Benson Avin's
brother phoned and asked me- as special favor, to
take charge I've known the major for 20 years, and
couldn't well refuse So took hurried breakfast and
street. and passed your remembered your re-
quest and dropped by to if cared to go aong
"Most consolidate" mumured Vance, adjusting his four
INLAND before small poychrome mirror by the door,
Then he turned to me- Come, Van Well all gaze upon
the the defunct Benson I'm sure some of Markhams seuhs
Will uneah the fact that detested the bouner and accuse
me of the crime; and III feel safer don't yknow with legal
talent at hand No obections-eh, what, Markham q"
Certany not the other agreed readily, although felt
that he would rather not have had along But was too
deeply interested in the affair to offer any eremonos OBJ
lectons, and followed Vance and Markham downstairs
Ac ycIo No.IL
gloomy No word had been spoken since we left the apart
ment but as we turned west into Foryeghh street Vance
asked:
What the social etiquette of these earymornne muir
der functions aside from removing ones hat in the presence
you keep your hat on growled Markham
"Nly word! Most ntresn! Perhaps takes off ones
shoes $50 So as m not to confuse fuse the fo0t print
wch e G uncon differs guests f da fully
ming affairs of your smart set"
"My dear Markham!"-Vance's tone was one Of melan-
choy reproof"he Mortified oralst in your nature is at
work again.
Markham too distracted to follow up vance's
badinage
There are one or two things" he said sobery that
think I'd better you about From the looks Of it. this
going to considerable noise and there be-
lot of jealousy and battling for honors won't be fallen
and caressed aectonatey by the police for coming in
at this stage of the be careful not to rub their
bes the wrong way My assistant who's there now tells
me he thinks the inspector has put Heath in charge Heahs
sergeant the homicide bureau, and is undoubtedly
WINGED at the present moment that I'm taking hold in order
Aren't you his technical SUPERIOR" asked Vance
"Of course; and that makes the situation just much
delicate wish to God the major hadn't called me
up
"Eheu!" sighed Vance. "The world is full Of Heaths
Beastly nuisances.'
Don't misunderstood me-" Markham hastened to assure
him. Heath is good man-in fact, good we've
got The fact that he assigned the shows
how seriously the affair is regarded at headquarters
There be unpeasantness about my taking charge you
understands but want the atmosphere to be hacyon
possible Heathl resent my bringing along you two chaps
spectators anyway beg Of you, Vance, emulate the
modest violet
Il prefer the Flushing rose if you don't mind Vance
protested However III instantly give the representative
Heath Of my choicest Reggie cigarets with the petal
tips
If you do smiled Markham hell probably arrest you
a suspicious character
We had drawn up abruptly in front of old brownsone
residence the upper side of Foryeighth street.
Sixth 1t house of the better Glass; built
25foot lot in day when permanency and beauty were
still matters of consideration The design conventional
to accord with the other houses the block but touch of
luxury and individuality to be in its decorative cop
ngs and the stone carvings about the entrance and above
the windows
There shallow paved areaway between the street
line and the front elevation Of the house, but this
closed high iron railing. and the only entrance by
of the front door, which about feet above the
street level at the top of flight of ten broad stone stairs
Between the entrance and the right-hand wall two
spacious windows covered with heavy iron gries
considerable crowd Of morbid onookers had gathered
in front of the house, and the steps ounged several alert
looking young whom took to be newspaper reporters