New Britain herald., 1927-10-24

 NOW BEGIN THE STORY
CHAPTER NNNN

"I really should have mentioned these before," he confessed, indicat- ing the papers with a delicately in consequential wave of the hand.
 He leaned forward on one elbow. taking a confidential attitude, and as he talked, the cigaret bohbed up and down between his lips.
 Tt pains me deeply 10 go into this matter" he began: but since it is in the interests of truth, I shall not complain. My-ah-do- mestic arrangements are not, all that one could desire. My wifes father has, curiously enough, taken most unreasonable dislike to me; and it plcases him to deprive me of all but the mcagcr"st finar Cial as sis.Hncc. although it is really my Nifc's money that he refuses 10 give ma. A few months ago l made use of certain funds-S10.0 .0oo, to be exact-which, I learned later. had not been intended for me.
 When my father-in-law discov- cred my error. it was necessary for me to return the full amount 10 avoid a miSuuderst anding between Mrs. Pfyfe and myself-;t misun- darstanding which might have caused my wife great unhappincss.
 "I regret 10 say I used AlvinS name on a check But explained ,, li ,. tl1larCf offering him the noie and this littl" confession as evidence of my good faith. And hat is all, Mr.. Markham"
 Was that what your quarrel with him last week was about?'
 Pfyfe gave him look of lueru- lous surprise,
 "Ah. you heard of our little con- rrotrmps? Yes - we had q slight disagreement as to the-shaIi say terms of the transaction
 "Did Benson insist that the note he paid when due ?'
 "No.-not exactly" Pfvtr'S man ner became unctuous. ~ heg or you' sir, not 10 press me as to my little chat with Alvin. It was. l assure you. quite irrelevant to tn" present situation. Indeed. il was of q most personal and private nature. He smiled confidingly. T will admit. however, that l went to , Alvin's house the night he was shot. intending to speak to hlln ahout the check: but, as you 1 already know. l found the house dark and spent the night in a Turk ish bath.'
 1 Pardon me. Mir. Pfyf", ,"--it was : Vance who spok" -- but did MT . Ronson take your note With but security"
 "Of course,," rlyfe's tone was I rcbuke. "Alvin and I, as have cx- plaincd. were the closest friends" But even friend. don't y know" Vance submitted. might ask for security on such a large amount. How did Benson kno" that you'd bo able to repay him?'
 "I can only say that he dln I i l. now, ne other dllSNflft, NI'i an air of patient dcliberation.
 Vance continued 10 be doubtful
 "Pcrhaps it was because of th' confession you had given him. Pfyfo rewarded him with 3 loof Of h,aming approval
 "Nou grasp the situation per fectly," he said.
 Vance withdrew from the con varsa'ion. and though Markham questioned Pfyfe for nearly half al hour nothing further transpired. Pfyfe clung 10 his story in every detail and politely refused to st deeper into his quarrel with Ben. son, insisting that it had no bear ing on the case Al last he was per mittrd to go.
 Not very helpful.' Mark ham ob served. I'm beginning to agree with Heath that we've turned III mare's-nest in Pfyfe's frcnziet financial deal"
 "You1l never be anything bu your own sweet trusting self, vii you ." lamnntcd Vance sadly.
 "pfyfe has just given you you1 first intelligent line or investiga lion and you say he's not helpful
 iston 10 me. pfyfr's story about the ten thousand dollars 1! undoubtedly true: he appropriated the money and forged Benson'' ] name to q check with which to re