The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-11
BENSON 4 MURDER CASE.
by S. S. " VAN DINE .,
= 0ANls ecu1,usb -

"You understand" he continued,
IN answer to the others sympa-
thetic nod, calvin was not a man
who possessed the personal char
acterlstic that women hold attrac-
tive" Il somehow got the impres-
sion that Pfyfe considered himself
as differing radically from Benson
IN this respect.)
Alvin was aware of his physical
deficiency, and the result was.-i
trust you will understand my hesi-
fancy in mentioning this distressing
fact,-but the result was that Alvin
used certain-ah-methods in his
dealings with women, which you end
l could never bring ourselves TO
adopt. Indeed-though it pains me
to say the often took unfair adj
vantage of women. He used under
hand methods, as it were."
He paused, apparently shocked hy
this .heinous inperfection of his
friend, and by the necessity of his
own seemingly disloyal revelation.
WAS it one of these women whom
Benson had dealt with unfairly, that
you had in mind ?" asked Markham.
"No-not the woman herself"
Pfyfe replied "but a man who was
interested in her. In fact, this man
threatened Alvin's life. You will ap-
preciate my reluctance in telling You
this; but my excuse is that the
threat was made quite openly. There
were several others besides myself
who heard it."
THAT, of course, relieves YOU
from any technical breach of I
fidence," Markham observed.
Pfyfe acknowledged the Others
understanding with slight bow.
1T happened at little party Of
which was the unfortunate host"
he confessed modestly.
"Who was the MANI" Markham'5
tone was polite but firm.
"You will comprehend my reti-
cence. :" Pfyfe began. Then,
with an air Of righteous frankness,
he leaned forward. at might prove
unfair to Alvin to withhold the gen.
tleman's name. :. He was Cap
tain Philip Leacock."
He allowed himself the emotional
outlet of a sigh.
II trust you won't ask me for
the lady's NAME"
1T won't be necessary" Markham
assured him. But I'd appreciaN
your telling us a little more O.
the episode"
Pfyfe complied with an express
sion of patient resignation,
calvin was considerably taken
with the lady in question, and shoT-
ed her many attentions which were,
] am forced to- admit, unwelcon,e.
Captain Leacock resented these at
tentions; and at the little affair to
which / had invited him and Alvin,
some unpleasant and, I must say,
unrefined words passed between
them.
II fear the wine had been flowing
too freely, for Alvin was always
punctilious-he was a man, indeed,
skilled in the niceties of social in
tercourse; and the captain, in an
outburst Of temper, told Alvin that,
unless he left the lady strictly alone
in the future, he would pay with
his life. The captain even went so
far as to draw a revolver halfway
out of his pocket"
"Was it revolver, or an auto
matte pistol?" asked Heath.
Pfyfe gave the district attorneN
a faint smile of annoyance, with
out deigning even to glance at the
sergeant.
II misspoke myself; forgive ne.
It was not revolver. 1t was,
believe, an automatic army pistol
though, you understand, l didn't sec
it in it's entirety
"You say there were others who
witnessed the alteration ?"
Several of nay guests We're stand
ing about" Pfyfe explained; "but,
on my word, / couldn't name them.
The fact is, [ attached little I'M
portance to the threat-indeed, it
had entirely slipped my memory un-
til / read the account of poor Alvin's
death. Then / thought at once Of.
the unfortunate incident, and said -
myself: Why not tell the district
attorney. ?"
Thoughts that breathe and words
that burn nurmured Vance, who
had been sitting through the inter-
view in oppressive boredom. ~.
Pfyfe once more adjusted his eye
glass, and gave Vance whitening
look.
II beg your pardon. sir?"
Vance smiled disarmingly.
Merely a quotation from Gray.
Poetry appeals to me in certain
moods, don't v know Do
you, by any chance, know Colonel
Ostrander?
ITO Be COntinued)