The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-09-29

SlStS she 10 innocent. Markham
agrees to let him be present in his
office when he interviews the girl.
NOW BEGIN THE STORY
CHAPTER XIV
ANY news Of the carr" asked
Markham.
Heath grunted his disgust.
mot word. And that's funny,
too, seeing all the advertising it
got. Those fishing-rods are the
only thing we've got. -. The in
spector, by the way, sent me the
post-mortem report this morning.
but it didn't tell US anything we
didn't know.
Translated into human language,
it said Benson died from a shot in
the head, with all his organs sound.
It's wonder, though, they didn't
discover that he'd been poisoned
with Mexican bean or bit by an
African snake, or something, SOS
to make the case a little more in
trikkit than it alreadv is.
"Cheer up, SERGEANT" Markham
exhorted him. "l've had q little
better luck. Tracy ran down the
owner of the handbag and found
out she'd beer. to dinner with Ben
son that night. He and Phelps also
learned a few other supplementary
facts that fit in we'll; and I'm ex-
pecting the lady here at any min
ute. Pm going to find out what
she has to say for herself"
An expression Of resentment came
into Heath's eyes as the district
attorney was speaking, but he
erased it at once and began asking
questions. Markham gave him every
detail, and also informed him of
Leander Pfyfe.
"l'll let you know Immediately
how the interview comes out" he
concluded.
AS the door closed on Heath Vance
looked up at Markham with q sly
smile.
mot exactly one Of Nietzche's
supermen-eh, what? l fear the
subtleties Of this complex world
bemuse him at bit v know.
And he's so disappointin'. felt
positively elated wien the busting
lad with the thick glasses announced
his presence. thought surely he
wanted to tell you he had jailed at
least six Of Benson's murderers."
"Your hopes run too high, fear"
commented Markham.
"And yet. that's the usual pro-
cedure-if the headlines in our great
moral dailies are to be credited. I
always thought that the moment q
crime was committed the police be-
gan arresting people promiscuously
v know. Another illusion gone!
:. Sad, sad," he murmured. II
sha'n't forgive our Heath: he has
betrayed my faith in him."
At this point Markham's secre-
tary came to the door and announced
the arrival Of Miss st. Clair.
/ think we were all taken . little
aback at the spectacle presented by
this young woman as she came slow
" into the room with q firm grace
full step, and with her head held
slightly to one side in an attitude Of
supercilious inquiry.
ty, although pretty" is not exactly
the word with which to
describe her. She possessed
that family exotic beauty that
we find in the portraits Of the
Carracci, who sweetened the severity
Of Leonardo and made t 1t once
intimate and decadent.
Her eyes were dark and widely
spaced; her nose was delicate and
straight, and her forehead broad.
Her full sensuous lips were almost
sculpturesque in their linear pre-
cision, and her mouth wore an cnig-
matte smile, or hint Of Z smile. Her
rounded firm chin was . bit heavy
when examined apart from tho other
features, but not in the ensemble.
There was poise and : certain
strength Of character in her bear
ing; but one sensed the potentiali-
ties Of powerful emotions beneath
her exterior calm. Her clothes har.
lnonized with her personality: they
were quiet and apparently in the
conventional style. but . touch Of
color and originality here and there
conferred on them . fascinating
distinction.
Markham rose and, bowling with
formal courtesy, indicated : com.
Portable upholstered chair directly
in front Of his desk.
With q barely perceptible nod
she glanced 1t the chair, and theS
seated herself in . straight armies,
chair standing next to it.
"You won't mind. I'm sure" sh
said, III choose my own chair 70
the inquisition."