New Britain herald., 1927-11-18

prcciatively
 That was q good tip you gave me. You had the dope. If you'd kept Major Benson away longer, ] could have done moro. While he was there he was watching me every minute"
 ! "I did the best I could" sighed ! Vance. He turned to Markham "i' know, l was wondering all through lunch yesterday how l coLld remove the Major from his i office during MT. Sttt's investga = { ton; and when We learned of Lea = cocks confession. it gave me just the excuse I needed. | really didn't want the Major here - I simply wished to give MT. Stitt free hand"
 What did you find out?" Mark ham asked the accountant.
 Plenty" was the laconic reply,
 He took a sheet Of paper from his pocket, and placed it on the desk.
 There's q brief report. l followed Mr. Nance's suggestion. and took a look at the stock record and the cashiers collateral blotter. and traced the transfer receipts. I ignored the journal entries against the ledger, and conccn- trated on the activities of the firm heads.
 Ma jor Benson, I found. had been consistently hypothecating &ecuri- ties transferred to him as collateral for marginal trading. and has been spcculating steadily in mercantile curb stocks. He has lost heavily how much. I cant say
 And Alvin Benson?" asked Vance.
 He was up to the same tricks, But he played in luck. He made a Wad on a Columbus Motors pool a few weeks back: and he has been salting the money away in his safe or. at least, that's what the sec retary told me-"
 And if Major Benson has pos session of the key 10 that safe" suggested Vance. then it's lucky for him his brother was fhot."
 'Lucky?" retorted Stitt. It'll save him from state prison.
 When the accountant had gone, Markham sat like a man Of stone, his eyes fixed on the wall opposite
 Another straw at which he had srasped in his instructive denial Of the Majors guilt, had been snatched from him.
 The telephone rang. Slowly he took up the receiver. and as he listened l saw a look of complete resignation come into his eyes. He leaned back in his chair, like man exhausted.
 Ut was Hasedorn," he said. That was the right gun"
 Then he drew himself up. and turned to Heath.
 "The owner of that gun, Ser gcant, was Major Benson"
 The detective whistlcd softly, and his eyes opened slightly with aston ishmcnt. But gradually his face | dSS uHl'I IL ltpltuil eloIluItS VI expression.
 Well, it don't surprise me any" he said.
 Markham rang for Swackcr. Get Major Benson on the wire, 1 and tell hin--tell him I'm about 10 make an arrest. and would appre- ciate his coming here immediate ly." His deputizng of the telo- phone call to Swackcr was under stood by all of Us, l think. Markham then summarized, for Heath's benefit, the case ngains, The Major. When he had finished he rose and learranged the chairs at the table in front of his desk.
 When Major Benson comes. Scr geant.' he said. 'I am going to seat 1 him hcre.' He indicated q chair directly facing his own. T want you to sit at his right: and you'd 1 better get Phelps - or one of the other men, if he isn't into sit al { his left. But you're not to make i any move until l give the signal. | Then you can arrest him." When Heath had returned witl ! Phelps and they had taken theii seats at the table, Vance said:
 'I'd advise you, Sergeant 10 be on your guard. The minute the Major knows he's in for it, he'll SC bald-headed for you"
 Heath smiled with heavy con, tempt.
 This isn't the first man I've ar rest ed Mr. Vance with many thanks for your advice. And whats more. the Major isn't that kind; he's too nervy."
 Have it your own way replied Vance indfferently. But I've warned you.
 "The Major is cool-headed; he'd take big chances. and he could lose his last dollar without turning H hair. But when he is finally cor