The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-19
THIS HAS HAPPENED
NOW BEGIN THE STORY
CHAPTER XXXI

"ln any other circumstances,
Markham answered. Il might defer
reVerently to your charming
theories. But with all the circum.
stantial and prcsumptivc evidence
have against Leac0ck. it strikes my
inferior legal mind as sheer non.
sense to say, He just couldn't be
guilty because his hair is parted il
the middle and he tucks his napkin
in his collar There's too much
logic against it,"
Ill grant your logic is irrefut
able-as all logic is. no doubt
You've prob'bly convinced many in
nocent persons by sheer reasoning
that they were guilty"
Vance stretched himself YEARLY.
What do you say to II light re
past on the roof? The unutt 'rabl,
Pfyfe has tired me-"
In the summer dining room on the
roof OF the Stuyvesant club w
found Major Benson sitting, alone
and Markham asked him to Join us
Il have good news for you, Ma.
jor.' he said, when we had giver
our order. II feel confident | have
my man: everything points to him
tomorrow will see the end, ! hope
The major gave Markham a ques.
tioning frown.
! don't understand exactly. From
what you told me the other day,
got the impression there was Il WON.
an involved"
Markham smiled aWkwardly, and
avoided Nance's eyes.
"A lot of water has run under the
bridge since then" he said. ''The
woman ] had in mind was eliminated
as soon as we began to check up or
her. But in the process l was LED
to the man. There's little doubt OF
his guilt.
Il felt pretty sure about it this
morning, and just now ! learned
that he was seen by a credible wit.
ness III front Of your brothers
house within few minutes Of the
time the shot was fired
rs there any objection to you,
telling me who it wasp The major
was still frowning.
None whatever. The whole cit,
will probably know it tomorrow
y. It was Captain Leacock."
Major Benson stared at him il
unbelief.
impossible! simply can't credi
1t. That boy was with me tire,
years on the other side, and l go
to know him pretty we'll.
Il can't help feeling there's mis-
take somewhere. The police,
he added quickly, shave got on TIL,
wrong track"
ITS not the police Markham
informed him. 1T was my own in
vestigations that turned up thu
captain"
The major did not answer, but hi.
silence bespoke his doubt.
Y'know,' put in Vance, 81 fee
the same way about the captain thai
you do, major. 1t rather pleases mt
to have my impressions verified b,
one who has known him so long"
What, then, was Leacock doine
in front of the house that night?'
urged Markham aciduously.
"l1e might have been singing
carols beneath Benson's window,
suggested Vance.
Before Markham could reply h.
was handed a card by the head
waiter. When he glanced at it, h.
gave grunt of satisfaction, ant
directed that the caller be sent III
Immediately. Then, turning bach
to us, he said:
I'VE may learn something more
now. I've been expecting this mar
Higginbotham. He's the detective
that followed Leacock from my Of
flee this morning"
Higginbotham was 4 wiry, pale,
faced youth with fishy eyes and .
shifty manner. He slouched up K
the table and stood hesitantly be,
fore the district attorney.
"Sit down and report, Higgin,
botham," Markham ordered. "Thest
gentlemen are working with me OF
the case"
Il picked up the bird while h.
was waiting for the elevator" tn,
man began, cycling Markham craft
lily.
HE went to the subway and rod,
up town to Seventy-ninth and Broad
way. He walked through Eightiet
to Riverside Drive and went in til
apartment house at No. "a. Didn