The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-24
THIS HAS HAPPENED
NOW BEGIN THE STORY
CHAPTER XXyV

| CHAPTER ANAV
81 really should have mentioned
these before" he confessed. indicat-
ing the papers with delicately in
| consequential wave of the hand.
he leaned forward on one elbow,
taking a confidential attitude, and as
he talked. the cigaret bobbed up and
down between his lips.
st pains mo deeply to 20 into
this NATTER he began; hut since
it is in the interests Of truth, shall
not complain. My Ah-dos
nestle arrangements are not all that
one could desire. My wifc's father
has. curiousIy enough, taken most
unreasonable dislike to me; and it
plcases him to deprive me Of all but
the meagerest financial assistance,
although it is really my wifc's money
that he refuses to give me. A few
| months ago | made use of certain
funds-$lO,e0O, to be exact which,
learned later, had not been in
tended for me.
when my father in-law discover
ed my error, it was necessary for
me to return the full amount to
avoid a misunderstanding between
Mrs. Pfyfc and myself--a misundcr-
standing which might have caused
my wife great unhappiness.
81 regret to say, used Alvin's
name ON a check. But explained
it to- him at once, you understand,
offering him the note and this little
confession as evidence of my good
faith. And that is all, Mr..
Markham"
WAS that what your quarrel with
him last week was about ?"
Pfyfe gave him look Of aucru-
lous surprise.
"Ah, you heard Of our little con-
trctcmps? Yes-w had "A
slight disagreement as to the-shall
| say terms Of the transaction
"Did Benson insist that the note
be paid wh,n due
"No-not exactly" Pfyfc's man.
ner became unctuous. Il beg Of you,
sir, not to press me as to my little
chat with Alvin. 1t was, / assure
you, quite irrelevant to the present
situation. Indeed, it was of most
personal and private nature"
He smiled confidingly. 81 will
admit, however, that / went to AL
wins house the night he was shot,
intending to speak to him about the
check; but, as you already know, l
found the house dark and spent the
night. in a Turkish BATH"
Pardon me, Mr.. Pfyfe." 1T was
Vance who spoke-''but did Mr.. Ben
son take your note without secur-
ity?"
"Of coursew Pfyfe's tone was a
rebuke. calvin and l, as have ex-
planned, were the closest friends"
"But even friend, don't y know
Vance submitted, might ask for
security on such large amount.
How did Benson know that you'd
be able to repay him."
Il can only say that he did KNOW
the other answered, with an air Of
patient elaboration.
Vance continued to be doubtful.
perhaps it was because Of the
confession you had given him."
Pfyfe rewarded him with z look
Of beaming approval.
"You grasp the situation perfect
w." he said.
Vance Withdrew from the CONVEX
sation, and though Markham ques-
toned Pfyfe for nearly half an
hour, nothing further transpired.
Pfyfe chung to his story,in every
detail, and politely refused to &c
deeper into his quarrel with Ben
son, insisting that it had no bearing
on the case. At last he was per-
mit+ed to go.
"Not very helpful" Markham OBJ
served. "l'm beginning to agree
with Heath that we've turned up a
mare's-nest in Pfyfe's frenzied fin
ancially DEAL"
you'll never be anything but
your own sect trusting self, will
you?" lamented Vance sadly.
"Pfyfe has just given you your
first intelligent line Of investigation
and you say he's not helpful! !,
Listen to me. Pfyfe's story about the
ten thousand dollars is undoubtedly
true: he appropriated the money an(
forged Bensons name to checl
with which to replace it. But
don't for a second believe there wa
no security in addition to the con