New Britain herald., 1927-10-15

gambling place Of his own down on 1 .ong ISland-roulette, monte, bac- carat, that sort of thing. And he popped tigers and wild hoars in Africa for a while. Bat rWfe's got his sentimental side,N and he'd plunge on a pair of dcuccs with all the betting odds against him.
 Not q good scientific gambler. Eighty in his impulses. if you un- dcrstand me. l don't mind ad- nnittin' though. that he could shoot q man and forget all ahout it in five minutes. But he'd need i1t of provocation. He may have had it--you cant t"ll.'
 "pfyfo and Benson were rather intimate. weren't thoy?'
 "Vcry-ycry. Always saw '"m together when pfyfe was in New York. Known each other years. Eoon companions, as they called 'crn in the old days. Actually lived together before Ptyfc got married. An cXacting woman, PCyf"'s wife; makes him toe the mark. But loads of money"
 "Spoaking Of the la1ios,' said Vance: what was the situation be- tween Benson and Miss st. Ciair?'
 "Who can tcll?" asked the colonel .antentiously. "Muricl didn't cot ton 10 Bcnson-that's sure, And yet women are strange crea- tures--'
 "Oh. no end stranGo,' agreed Vance, q triflc woarily. "]iut really, y know, I wasn't prying into the lady's personal relations with Ben son. thought you might know her mental attitude concerning him."
 "Ah-I see. Would shc, in short, have been likely to take desperate measures asaias, hiIn@ Egad! That's an idca.'
 The colonel ponderrd the point. "Muriel. now. is Il girl of strong character. Works hard at her art. Shes singer, and--I don't mind trlin' you--a mighty fin" enc. Shes deep. too - druccd deep. And capable. Not afraid of taking q Crancc. Indcpcndcnt. l myself wouldn't want to he in her n2th if she had it in for me. Might stick at norhing."
 l He nodded his head sacr'~ i "Women are funny that way. AlWays surprisin' you, No sense oG values. The most peaceful of i 'cm will shoot a man in cold blood 1 without Warnin'---' 1 He suddenly sat up, and lis little lIur eyes glistonc1 like china. i "l}v caI," II" fairly blUr'"1 the ! sacula'ion, "Muricl lad dinner alone with Benson the plight he was slot-the very night Saw 'om tognt her myself at the Marsoillos." "Yon don't say. really" muttcrod Vance incuriously "But I surnos" Wc all must eat. . By the bye;
 how well did you yourself know Errsonr"
 The colonel looked startled
 rut Nancc's innocuous expression seemed 10 rcassure him. "I? Ny dear fellow! I've llnowr
 Alvin Rnnson 15 years. At least
 ;5-mavbc longer. Showed hin
 the sights in this old town before tho lfd was put on. A live town :. vas then. Wid" open. Anything you wantod. Gad--what times we
 ruln Those Were the days of tn
 cld HavmarEct. Never thought Q
 todHlin' home till brcalfast--'
 Vance again interrupted his ir loleyancics.
 How intimate are your relation
 with Major Honson?'
 "rhc Major? ..- That's arothc
 r,attor. Fr and I belong to differ
 mt schools. Diseimilar tastes. W
 rcyrr hit ii of, Rarely see cac c'hor."
 He socmrd to think that some "A p'anation was necessary, for h"tof Narc" conM speak again he added "Thn Major. yon know. was neN'
 enc of inc hovs. as we say. lDisa' - }rovrd of gaictv. Didn't mix wit - cur little set. Considered m" ar Alvin too friy olous. Srrjous-mind' s chan."
 ;. Vance ate in silence for a whil r th"n asked in an off-hond way: " "Did you do much sn"culatiI = through Benson and H"nson?'
 For ;hc first time the colonel q
 prared hesitant about anSWcrin c He ostontatiously wiped his mou q with his napkin.
 't "Oh-dahblcd a bit" he at lcnG J. admitted airily. Not very luck
 though. We all flir'ed nc I" and then with the Goddess IT Chanc" in BcNson's office" d Throughout the lunch Vance Ike
 ,pIving him with questions alo r. these lines; but at the end of q. hour he seemed to be no neal II anything definite than when te began.