New Britain herald., 1927-10-31
CHAPTER XLI

Heath was feeling too complacent- ly triumphant 10 be annoyed. He smiled with magnanimous tolerance. "It strikes you as funny, doesn't 1t, Mir. Vance,
 Sergeant, if you knew how in- ord 'nately funny this confession is, you'd positively have mysteries" Vance then turned 10 Markham.
 "Really. V know. 1 shouldn't put too much stock in this. It 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, I think we can over come the Majors scruples and get him to tell us what he knows Maybe I'm wrong. but it's worth trying"
 He stepped 10 the district attor- ney's desk, and leaned over it cajolingly.
 T haven't led you astray yet, old dear: and I'm going to make another suggestion. Call up the Major and ask him to come here at once. Tell him you've secured q confession,-but don't you dare say whose.
 Imply it's Miss St. Clair's, or pfyfe's--or Pontius Pilates. But urge his immediate presence. Tell him you want to discuss it with him before proceeding with the in- dictment."
 q cant see the necessity of doing that" objected Markham. I'm pretty sure 10 see him at the club tonight. and I can tell him then.'
 That wouldn't do at all," in sisted Vance. If the Major can cnlighten us on any point. l think Sergeant Heath should be present 10 hear him"
 'I don't need any enlightenment" cut in Heath.
 Vance regarded him with admir- ing surprise.
 What a wonderful man! Even Goethe cried for mehr Licht and here are you in a state Of luminous saturation, . Astonishin'!."
 "See here, Vance," said Mark ham: "why try 10 complicate the matter? It strikes me as g waste of time, besides being an imposi- ton. 10 ask the Major here to dis cuss I.eacock's confession. We don't need his evidence now. anyway" Despite his gruffness there was q hint of reconsideration in his voice; for though his instinct had been 10 dismiss the request out Of hand, the experiences Of the past few days had taught him that Nance's suggestions were not made without an object. Vance. sensing the others hesI- tancy, said;
 "My request Is based on some- thing more than an idle desire 10 gaze upon the Majors rubicund fea- tures at this moment. I'm telling
 
 ness I possess, that his presence here now would be most helpful.' Markham deliberated, and argued the point al some length. But Vance vas so persistent that in the end he was convinced Of the advis- ability of complying.
 Heath was patently diSgustcd. but ho sat down quietly, and sought solace in q cigar. Major Benson arrived with aston ishing promptness, and when Markham handed him the confess sion, he made little attempt 10 con- coal his eagerness.
 But as he read it his face clouded. his eyes.
 Al length he looked up. frowning.
 'I 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. l may be mistaken, Of course.'
 He laid the confession on Mark hams desk with an air of disap- pointment, and sank into a chair.
 DO you feel satisfied?" he asked.
 "I 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 h I,,
 Hes guilty all right" put in