The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-11-12
NOW BEGIN THE STORY
CHAPTER LII


arty arrived. He was a serious,
good-looking, well-dressed youth in
his late twenties-not at all my
idea of m alderman-and he spoke
clear and precise English with al
most no trace Of the Bronx accent.
Markham introduced him, and
briefly explained why he had been
requested to call.
Zone Of the men from the homi.
eide L1reau," answered Moriarty,
"was asking me about the matter,
only yesterday"
1--WE have the report" said Vance
"but it's a bit too general. Will you
tell us exactly what you did that
night after you met Colonel Os'
trander?"
1.-THE Colonel had invited me tx
dinner and the Follies. I met hin
at the Marseilles at 10. We hae
dinner there, and went to the Pic.
cadilly q little before IL, where We
remained until about 2:3O.
II walled to the Colonel's apart.
ment with him, had q drink and q
chat, and then took the subway
home about $780,"
"You told the detective yesterday
you sat in a box ut the theatre"
"That's correct"
ibid you and the Colonel remain
in the box throughout the perform.
ance?"
mo. After the first act friend
of mine came to the box. and the
Colonel excused himself and went
t the wash-room. After the second
act, the Colonel and I stepped out
side into the alley-way and had a
smoke"
"What time, would you say. was
the first act overt"
"Twelve-thirty or thereabouts."
"And where is the alley-way
situated?" asked Vance. "As I re-
call, it runs along the side Of the
theatre to the street."
you're right"
"And isn't there IN exit door
very near the boxes, which leads
into the alley-way?"
There is. We used It that
night"
"How long was the Colonel gone
after the first act?"
"A few minutes-I couldn't say
exactly"
Had he returned when the cur.
tain went up on the second act ?"
Moriarty reflected.
II don't believe he had. I think
he came back a few minutes after
the act began"
"Ten minutes?"
n couldn't say. Certainly nc
more"
"Then, allowing for . ten-minute
interm.:sio the Colonel might
have been away 20 minutes?"
"Yes-it's POSSIBLE"
This ended the interview; and
when Moriarty had gone, Vance lay
back in his chair and smoked
"Surprisin' luck!" he commented
1.-THE Piccadilly Theatre, y know, il
practically round the corner from
Benson's house. You grasp the pos.
sibilitics of the situation, what
The Colonel invites m alder.
mar to the Midnight Follies, and
gets box seats near m exit givine
on an alley. At little before hall
past twelve he leaves the box
sneaks out. via the alley, goes t.
Benson's, taps and is admitted
shoots his man, and hurries bacl
to the theatre. Twenty minutei
would have been ample"
Markham Strengthened up, but
made no comment.
"And now" continued Vance
s1et's look ct the indicat'ry circum,
st'nces and the confirmat'ry facts
Miss St. Clair told lus tn
Colonel had lost heavily in : poo
Of Benson's manipulation, and ha(
accused him Of crookedness. HI
hadn't spoken 70 Benson for ,
week; 90 its plain thers WAS ba(
blood between iom.H Sew Mis-
s.. Clair At tho 4arseiIles With Ben
con; and knowing She always NGn1
home q midnight, he chose hal
past twelve - ? propitious hour
Although originally he may have Ia
tended 20 wait until much later
cay, l:3O or 2--bo6ore suoaking on
of til theatro.
~Beine a army officer, he woull
h-vs had = Colt A6; and ~ VA
probably I Hood shot.-He was mos
anxious TO have you arrest some
one-he didn't seem to ere who
and he even 'phoned You to inquiz
at-ut it.