The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-11-04
CHAPTER XIV

on which we are now embarked" said
Vapce, rs we rode up town, "may
prove bit tedious. But you must
exert your willpower, and bear with
me. You can't imagine what a
ticklish task I have on my hands.
And it's not . pleasant one either.
I'm q bit too young to be sentiment
tai, and yet. d. We know, I'm half
inclined to let your culprit CO."
"Would you mind telling me why
we are calling on Miss st. Clair?"
asked Markham resignedly.
Vance amiably complied.
"Not 1T all. Indeed, / deem it
best for you to know. There are
several points connected with the
lady that need eluc'dation. First,
there are the gloves and the hand
bag. Nor poppy nor mandragora
shall ever medicine thee to that
sweet sleep which thou ow'dst yes
terday until you have learned about
those articles-eh, what? - Then,
YOU recall. Miss Hoffman told us
that the Major was lending an ear
when certain lady called upon
Benson the day he was shot. l sus-
pect that the visitor was Miss st.
Clair; and l am rather curious to
know what took place in the office
that day, and why she came back
later.
"Also, why did she 20 to Benson's
for tea that afternoon? And what
part did the jewels play in the chit
chat? But there are other items.
For example: Why did the Captain
take his gun to her? What makes
him think she shot Benson ?--he
really believes it, y know. And
why did she think that he was
guilty from the first"
Markham looked skeptical.
"You expect her to tell us all
my hopes run high" returned
Vance. with her verray parfit
gentil knight Jailed - q self-con-
fessed murderer, she will have moth
ing to lose by unburdening her soul.
Y. But we must have no clustering.
Your police brand Of aggressive
cross-examination will, ] assure you,
have no effect upon the lady"
Just how do you propose to elicit
your information :"
with morbidexza, as the paint
ers say. Much more refined and
gentlemanly, y know"
Markham considered moment.
II think I'll keep out Of it, and
leave the Socratic elenctus entirely
to YOU"
IAN extr ,ordin'riIy brilliant sur.
gestion," said Vance.
When we arrived Markham an
nounced over the house-teleph0ne
that he had come on = vitality i'm
portant mission; and we were re-
ceived by Miss st. Clair without q
moments delay. She was appre-
hensive, I imagine, concerning the
Whereabouts Of Captain Leacock.
AS she sat before US in her little
drawing.room overlooking the Hud-
son, her face was quite pale, and
her hands, though tightly clasped,
trembled . little. She had lost much
Of her cold reserve, and there were
unmistakable signs Of sleeplesa
worry about her eyes.
Vance went directly to the point
His tone was almost Hippant in it,
kehtness: It ct once relieved the
tension Of the atmosphere, and gave
IN air bordering on inconsequen.
tiality to our visit.
Captain Leacock has, ] regret 4
inform you, very foolishly confessed
to the murder Of Mr.. Benson. But
we are not entirely satisfied with
his bona fides. We are, alasl awasl
between Scylla and Charybdis. w.
can not decide whether the Captain
10 . deep-dyed villain or Z chevaliel
Sans pour ct sans reproche. Hi
story of how he acconplishes TIL
dark deed b = bit .sk4tchy: he |,
vague On certain essential details
and = what's. most confusin, = b,
turned the liehte Of in Benson1
Aldeeus livin6 .room BY : switcl
Witch poestivcIy doo1n't exist.
~Coes'quentIy, the suspicion h,
|cgopt Into NY mind that be hns con
coo&od tAi6 tAlo 6 6erring-do Il
! or1er - ehieN solneoue whom b,
really bo)iesoe fullty."
| Qo Indicated MARKHAM With /
olighk movement u tn hoe6.
| The District Attorney here d0e
not wholly agree with me. But thes