The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-09-20
BENSON Mllt|G(lDER.!CASF


her days duties, and, on her u
to the front door to bring in !
milk and cream, had discovered 81
sons body. All the shades in
living-room were down.
At first she thought Benson
fallen asleep in his chair, but WI
she saw the bullet hole and noti(
that the electric lights had bt
switched on, she knew he was de
She had gone at once to the te
phone in the hall and, asking Il
operator for the police station,
reported the murder. She had Il
remembered Benson's brother, Ma
Anthony Benson, and had telephor
him also. He had arrived at I
house almost simultaneously with I
detectives from the West-Seve1a
Street station He had question:
her q little, talked with the pla
clothes men, and gone away beft
the men from head quarters arriv
"And now. Mrs. Platz," &c
Markham, glancing 1T tn notes
had been making, zone or two me
questions, and we won't trouble y /
further Have you noticed q
thing in Mr.. Benson's actions lata
that might lead you to suspect I'll
he was worried-or, let US say,
fear Of anything happening to him
mo sir" the woman answer
readily. ''It looked like he was
special good-humor for the last We
or So"
II notice that most Of the NJ |
dows on this floor are barred. WI
he particularly ..fraid Of burglai
or Of people breaking nj"
"Well-not exactly" was &
hesitant reply. "But he did use
say as how the police were no go
begging your pardon, sir-N
how a man in this city had to l01
out for himself if he didn't We
to get held up"
Markham turned to Heath vi
a chucklc.
"You might make q special nc
of that for your files, Sergean,
Then to Mrs. Platz: do you KIND
Of anyone who had grudge agar
Mr.. Benson?"
"Not . soul, sir" the housskesp
answered emphatically. "He ~
q queer man in many ways, q
everybody seemed to like him. J
was all the time going to partt
or giving parties. I just can't
why anybody'd want to kill him
Markham looked over his not,
again.
II don't think there's anythii
else for the present How abo1
it, Sergeant? Anything furth
you want to ask :"
Heath pondered . moment.
mo, can't think Of anythifI
more just now. -. But you, Mt
Platz," he added, turning = cc1
glance on The woman, will ST
here in this house till you're givI
permission to leave. Well wal
to question you later. But you
not to talk to anyone else-unde
stand? Two Of my men will be he |
for q while yet"
Vance, during the .-.tcrview, h:|
been jotting down something on I,
fly-leaf Of a small pocket address
book, and a. Heath was speakin|
he tore out the page and hand.
it to Markham. Markham glanc.
at it frowningly and pursed ii
lips. Then after a few moment
hesitation, he addressed himse|
again to tn housekeeper.
"You mentioned, Mrs. Platz. tn
Mr.. Benson was liked by everyor|
Did you yourself like him ?"
The woman shifted her eyes
her lap.
"Well, sir" he replied reluctant
ly, II was only working for hi,|
and l haven't got any complai
about the way he treated me-"
Despite her words, she gave II
impression that she either dislike
Benson extremely or greatly dill
approved Of him. Markham, how
ever, did not push the point.
"And b. the way, Mrs. Platz,"
s. next, did Mr.. Benson kes|
any 1ITC6IIuS AUOuL Vic ilOu0Ss
instance, do you know if he owns
u revolver ?"
For the first time during the i;
terview, the woman appeared aa]
tated, even frightened.
Eyes. sir, think he did" III
admitted, in an unsteady voice.
"Where did he keep it,"
The woman glanced up apprehel1
sively, and rolled her eyes slight
as if weighing the advisability i
speaking frankly. Then she replit|
in q low voice.
"In that hidden drawer there i
the comfortable. You-you use thu
little brass button to open it with
Heath jumped up, and presss
the button she had indicated.
tiny, shallow drawer shot out; aYI
in it lay a Smith and Wesson q
revolver with an inlaid pearl handl|
He picked it up, broke the carriag
and looked at the head Of Ell
cylinder.
Ito be Continued) -. !
Music Will Ease NJ