The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-07


table. -
"Right-o, Mrs. Platz. Since you
/! refuse to tell me about the young
woman who was here that after
noon, I'm going to tell you about
her."
His manner was easy and cynical,
and the woman watched him sus-
piciously.
Late in the afternoon of tie day
your employer was shot, the door,
bell rang. Perhaps you had been
informed by Mr.. Benson that he
was expecting a caller. what? Any
how, you answered the door and adj
mitted charming young lady.
"You showed her into this room
!. and-what do you think my
dear madam!-she took that very
chair on which you are resting SO
uncomfortably."
He paus ID, and smiled tantaliz-
ingly. 49,.
served tea to the young lady and
Mr.. Benson. After a bit she de-
parted, and Mr.. Benson went up
stairs to dress for dinner -. Y
see. Mrs. Platz, l happen to know"
He lit another cigaret.
did you notice the young lady
particularly: If not, I'll describe
he to you. She was rather short
petite is the word. She had dark
hair and dark eyes, and she was
dressed quietly"
A change had come over the wom-
an. Her eyes stared; her cheeks
were now gray and her breathing
had become audible.
"Now. Mrs. Platz," demanded
Vance sharply, "what have you to
say?"
She drew deep breath.
"There wasn't anybody here" she
said doggedly. There was some.
thing almost admirable in her OBJ
stinacy.
Vance considered a moment.
Markham was about to speak, but
evidently thought better of it, and !
sat watching the woman fixedly.
"Your attitude is understand
able" Vance observed finally. 1.-THE
young Lady, of course, was well
known to you. and you had a per-
known. she was here"
At these words she sat up
straight. look of terror in her face.
II lever saw her before!" she
cried; then stopped abruptly.
"Ah!" Vance gave her an amused
lecr. "You had never seen the
young lady before-eh what? -.
That's quite possible. But it's inn
material. She's nice girl, though,
I'm sure-even if she did have q
dish of tea with your employer
alone in his home"
did she tell you she was here?"
The womar's voice was listless.
The reaction to her tense obduracy
had left he apatletic. i.
"Not exactly" Vance replied.
"But it wasn't necessity: l knew
without her info rming me. =.
Just when did she arrive, Mrs.
Platz?"
"About a half-hour after Mr.. Ben
son got here from the office"
She had 1t last given over all
denial: and evasions. "But he
didn't expect her-that is, he didn't
say anything to me about her corl-
ing; and he int order tea until
after she came"
Markham thrust himself forward
"Why didn't yol tell me she'a
been here, when / asked you yes
terday NOR " 2"
The woman cast an Uneasy glance
about the room.
Il rather fancy" Vance inter.
vened pleasantly, "that Mrs. Plat
was afraid you might unjustly sus
pect the young lady"
She grasped eagerly at his wordA
Eyes, sir-that vas all. l was
afraid you might think she-did it
And she was such a quiet, sweet
looking girl. :. That was the only
reason, sir"
"Quite So" agreed Vance con.
solingly. "But tell me: did it not
shock you to see such quiet, sweet
looking young lady smoking
cigarets?
tier apprehension gave way to
why yes, sir, it did. -. Bun
she wasn't a bad girl could telJ
that. And most girls smoke now;
adays. They don't think anything
Of it. like Trey used to-"
you're quite right Vance a.
sured her. "Still, younr ladiea
really shouldn't throw their Gig.
arets in tiled. gas-log fireplaceA
should they, now?"
The woman regarded him unceN
tainly; she suspected him Of JEST
ing.
ibid she do that?" She leaned
over and looked into the fireplace {
4 didn't see any cigarets there
this morning"
mo, you wouldn't have" Vance
informed her. Zone of the district .
sleuths, d. see, cleaned
It all up nicely for you yesterday" N.
(To be Contiuued)