New Britain herald., 1927-09-28

most distressin' sight, Markham"
 The district attorney had sat down at his desk and was glancing at several notations on his blotter.
 There are a couple of my men waiting to see me-" he remarked. without looking up; 'so. if you'll be good enough to take a chair over here, I'll proceed with my humble efforts to undermine society still further"
 He pressed a button under the edge of his desk, and an alert young man with thick-lensed glasses appeared at the door
 "Swacker, tell Phelps to come in," Markham ordered. And also tell Springer, if he's back from lunch, that I want to see him in few minutes"
 The secretary disappeared, and moment later n tall, hawk-faced man, with stoop-shoulders and an awkward, angular gait, entered.
 What news?" asked Markham.
 "Weu, Chief" the detective re- piled in a low grating voice, T just found out something l thought you could use right away. After l re- ported this noon, I amblcd around to this Captain Leacock's house, thinking 1 might learn something from the house. boys, and ran into the captain coming out. l tralled along: and he went straight Up 10 the lady's house on the drive, and stayed there over an hour. Then he went back home. looking wor- ried."
 Markham considered a moment.
 Tt may mean nothing at all, but I'm glad to know it anyway. St. Clair'll be here in few minutes, and I'll find out what she has to say.-Therc nothing else for today. Tell SWaCker to send Tracy in.'
 Tracy was the antithesis Of Phelps. He was short, trifle stout and eyuded an atmosphere of stud jed suavity. His face was round and genial; he wore a pince-nez; and his clothes were modish and fitted him well.
 Good morning. Chief" he greet ed Markham in quiet, ingratiat- ing tone. T understand the St Clair woman is to call here this afternoon, and there are a few things I've found out that may assist in your questioning.
 He opened a small notebook and adjusted his pince-nez.
 "I thought ] might learn some thing from her singing teacher an Italian formerly connected with the Metropolitan. but now running a sort of choral society of his own. He trains aspiring prima dohnas in their roles with a chorus and settings. and Miss St. Clair is one of his pet students.
 "He talked to me, without any trouble; and 1t seems he knew S5eh- son well. Benson attended several of g.. Clairs rehearsals, and some times called for her in taXlcab. Rjnaldo-thats the mans name thinks he had a bad crush on the girl.
 Last winter, when she sang at the Criterion in small part Rjnaldo was back stage coachlns' and Benson sent her enough hot bols. flowers to fill the stars dress jng-room and have some lett oVer' I tried to find out if Benson was playing the 'angel' for her, put Rinaldo either didn't know or pre- tended he didn't
 Tracy closed his notebook and looked LID. ~"That any good to you, Chief"
 "tirst-rate," Markham told him. Keep at work along that Hne' ana let me hear from you again about. this time Monday"
 Tracy bowed, and as he went out the secretary again appeared at the door.
 "springers here now, sir he said. Shall l send him in?''
 Springer proved to be type Of detective quite different from either Phelps or Tracy. He was older and had the gloomy capaple air of a hard working bookkeeper in a bank. There was no initiative in his bearing, but one felt that he could discharge delicate task with extreme competency. Markham took from his pocket the envelope on which he had noted the name given him by Major Ben son.
 | Springer, there's a man down