The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-31
THIS HAS HAPPENED
NOW BEGIN THE STORY
CHAPTER XII

Heath was feeling too complacent-
~ triumphant to be annoyed. He
smiled with magnanimous tolerance.
1t strikes you as funny, doesn't
it, Mr.. Vance?"
Sergeant, if you knew how in
ord'nately funny this confession is,
you'd positively have Mysteries.
Vance then turned to Markham.
Really, " know. shouldn't put
too much stock in this. 1t may,
however, prove valuable lever with
which to open the truth. In fact,
I'm jolly glad the Captain has gone
in for imaginative lit'rature.
with this entrancin' fable in our
possession, think we can overcome
the Majors scruples, and get him
to tell US what he knows. Maybe
I'm wrong, but it's worth trying"
He stepped to the district attor-
neys desk, and leaned over it
cajolingly.
Il haven't led you astray yet, old
dear; and I'm going to make an
other suggestion. Call up the Major
and ask him to come here at once.
Tell him you've secured q confess
sion,-but don't you dare say whose.
Imply, it's Miss St. Glars, or
Pfyfe's-or Pontius Pilates. But
urge his immediate presence. Tell
him you want to discuss it with him
before proceeding with the indict-
ment."
~ can't see the necessity Of doing
that" objected Markham. I'm pref
ty sure to zee him at the club tonight
and l can tell him them"
"That wouldn't do at ALL" insisted
Vance. IF the Major can enlighten
us on any point, ! think Sergeant
Heath should Be present to hear
him."
II don't need any enlightenment"
cut in Heath.
Vance regarded him with admir-
ing surprise.
"'vhat wonderful man! Even
Goethe cried for mehr LIGHT; and
here are you in q state of luminous
saturation! Astonishin'!"
"See here, Vance," said Markham:
"why try to complicate the matter?
1t strikes me as q waste Of time,
besides being an imposition, to ask
the Major here to discuss Leacock's
confession. We don't need his evil
dence now, anyway"
Despite his gruffness there was q
hint Of reconsideration in his voice;
for though his instinct had been to
dismiss the request out Of hand, the
experiences of the past few days
had taught him that Vance's sug-
gestions were not made without an
object.
Vance, sensing the others hest
fancy, said:
my request is based on some
thing more than an idle desire to
gaze upon the Majors rubicund fea-
lures at this moment. I'm telling
you, with all the meagre earnest
ness possess, that his presence
here now would be most helpful"
Markham deliberated, and argued
the point at some length. But Vance
was so persistent that in the end he
was convinced. Of the advisability Of
complying.
Heath was patiently Disguised, but
he sat down quietly, and sought
Solace in cigar.
Major Benson arrived with aston
ishing promptness. and when Mark
ham handed him the confession, he
made little attempt to conceal his
eagerness.
But as Re read i. his face clouded,
and a look Of puzzlement came into
his eyes.
At length he looked up, frowning.
II don't quite understand this;
and I'll admit I'm greatly surprised.
It doesn't seem credible that Lea
cock shot Alvin. -. And yet, !
may be mistaken, Of course"
He laid the confession on Mark.
hams desk with IN air Of disap-
pointment, and sank into . chair.
"Do you feel satisfied :" be asked.
II don't see any way around It"
said Markham. IF he isn't guilty,
why should he come forward and
confess? God knows, there's plenty
Of evidence against him. was ready
to arrest him two days ago."
"He's guilty all right" put IN
Heath. 1--WE had my eye on him
from the first"
Major Benson did not reply =,
once: he seemed to b framing hi,
next words.
1T might be-that is, there's IT,