New Britain herald., 1927-10-22

l or so.' explained Markham. q want to have another talk with Pfyfs , before I do anything definite" And i he ~old Heath about the visit ot 1 Major Benson and Miss Hoffman. ! Heath inspected the envelope and 1 it's enclosures, and then handed ! them back.
 { T don't see anything in that, he said. Tt looks to me like pri- i vate deal between Benson and this ! fellow pfyfe.-leacocks our man; and the sooner I get him locked up l the better I'll feel.'
 That may be tomorrow Mark i ham encouraged him. 50 don't 1 feel downcast over this little delay You're keeping the captail | under surveillance. aren't you ?''
 "I'll say so," grinned Heath. Vance turned to Markham. What about that list of names you made out for the Sergeant?' he asked ingenuously. T under stood you to say something about alibis"
 Markham hesitatcd. frowning Then he handed Heath the paper containin~ the names Vance had called off to him.
 AS matter of caution. Ser geant," he, said morosely, "1 wish you'd get me the alibis of all these people on the night of the murder. It may bring something contribu- tory to light. Verify those you already know. such as Pfyfe's; and ! let me have the reports as soon as you can.'
 When Heath had gone Markham turned a look of angry exasperation upon Vance.
 "Of all the confounded trouble makers" he began. But Vance interrupted him blandly.
 such ingratitude. If only you knew it, Markham, I'm your tute- lary genius. your deus ex machlna. your fairy godmother.' (Tucsday, June IS; afternoon). An hour later Phelps, the opera tive Markham had sent to 94 River side drive, came in radiating satls- faction.
 "I think I've got what you want Chief" His raucous voice was covertly triumphant T went up to the St. Clair voman's apartment and rang the bell. She came to the door herself. and l stepped into 1 the hall and put my questions 10 1 her, She sure refused to answer
 "Whcn I let on I knew the pack age contained the gun Benson was ! shot with. she just laughed and 1 icrked the door open. Leave this apartment you vile creature shs | says 10 me-
 1 He grinned.
 "I hurried downstairs, and l hadn't any more than got to the | switchboard when her signal 1 flashed. l let the boy get the num- her, and then stood him to one side, and listened in. She was i talking to Lcacock, and her first words were: They know you took { the pistol from here yesterday and | threw it in the river
 That mustve knocked him out 1 for he didn't say anything TOT long time. Then he answered, per fectlv calm and kinda sweet: Don't worry, Muricl and don't say 9 word to anybody for the rest Of the day. I'll fix everything in the morn ing He made her promise to keeI ouie, until tom orrow, and then he said good bye"
 1 Markham sat while dlgost1ne the story.
 "What impression did you get from the conversation o'
 If you ask me, Chief,' said the detective, "I'd lay down ten to one that Leacock's guilty and the gir knows it.'
 Markham thanked him and lo him go.
 This suh-Potomac chivalry, commented Vance, lis a frightfu nuisance. . But aren't We abou due to hold polite converse wttl the genteel Leandcr?'
 Almost as he spoke the man va announced He entered the room with his habi,ual urbanity, he coul' not wholly disguise his unGasines Of mind.
 Sit down, Mr. Pfyfc,' 1irecte' Markham brusquely. "It seems vol have a little more explaining t do"
 Taking out the manila envelope he laid it's contents on the desl where the other could sec them.
 Will you be so good as to tel me about thcsc?"
 With the greatest pleasure, said Pfyfe but his voice had los
 it's assurance. Some of his poisf too, had deserted him, and as h paused 10 light a cigaret I detecte d slight nervousness in the way h
 manipulated his gold match safe.
 (TO BE CONTINUED