The Bismarck tribune., 1927-10-05
THIS HAS HAPPENED
NOW BEGIN THE STORY
CHAPTER XIX

Saturday, June Is, 5 p. m.
! When we arrived at Benson's
house Il patrolman leaning somnol-
emily against the iron paling Of the
areaway came suddenly to attention
and saluted.
He eyed Vance and me hopefully
regarding us no doubt as suspects
being taken to the scene OF the
crime for questioning by the dis
trict attorney. We were admitted
by one of the men from the homi-
eide bureau who had been in the
house on the morning Of the in
vestigation.
Markham greeted him with nod
Everything going all right? 2"
Sure the man replied good
naturedly. 1.-THE old lady's as meek
as a cat-and "A swell cook
I'VE want to be alone for while
Sniffin,' said Markham, as w,
passed into tho living-room.
"Thc gastronome's name is Snit-
kin-not Sniffin.' Vance corrected
him, when the door had closed on
us.
"Wondcrful memory" muttcrcd
Mar khan churlshly.
"A failure of mine," said Vance.
Il suppose you are one of those
rare persons who never forget a
face but just can't recall names,
| what ?"
But Markham was in no mood
to be twittcd.
Nov that you've dragged me
here, what are you going to do 2"
He waved his hand deprecatingly,
and sank into chair with an air
OF contemptucus abdication.
The living-roOm looked much the
same as when we saw it last, ex-
cept that it had been put neatly in
order. The shades were up, and the
late afternoon light was flooding in
profusely. The ornateness of the
rooms furnishings seemed intensi-
fled by the glare.
Vance glanced about him and
gave shudder.
'I'm half inclined to turn back" :"
he drawled. ITS clear case of
justifiable homicide by All outraged
interior decorator"
uSoi dSSGHetc, Mdfklam
urged impatiently, "be good enough
to bury your artistic prejudices,
and to proceed with your problem.
=. OF course" he added, with a
malicious smile, "if you fear the
result, You may still withdraw, and
thereby preserve your charming
theories in their present virgin
state"
"And permit you to send an inno-
cent maiden to the chair.' ex-
claimed Vance, in mock indigna-
ton. "Fie, fie! La politesse alone
forbids my withdrawal. May new
er have to lament, with Prince
Henry, that to my sham l have a
truant been to chivalry."
Markham set his jaw, and gave
Vance a ferocious look.
"I'm beginning to think that,
after all, there is something in your
theory that every man has some mo-
tive for numbering another"
"Well," repl ed Vcnce cheerfully,
''now that you have begun to come
round to my way of thinking, do
you mind if send Mr.. Snitkin on
Oil dIlu
Markham sighed audibly and
shrugged his shoulders.
"Ill smoke during the opera
bouffe, if it won't interfere with
your performance"
Vance went to the door and called
Snitkin.
II say, would you mind going to
Mrs. PlatZ and borrowing a lonr
tape-measure and a hall Of string.
/. The district attorney wants
them," he added, giving Markham
sycopk:.ntic bow.
II can't hope that you're going
to hang yourself, can II" asked
Markham.
Vance gazed at him reprovingly.
"Permit me-" he said sweetly.
ITO commend Othello to your atten-
ton:
How poor are they that have not
patience!
What wound did ever heal but bv
degrees
Or-to descend from a poet to q
platitudinarian-let me present fol
your constellation pentametel
from Longfellow: sAll things come
lround to him who will but wait.
Untrue, of course, but consolin'
Milton said it much better in hi
They also serve. But Cervante