New Britain herald., 1927-10-19
NOW BEGIN THE STORY

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 "In any other circumstances Markham answered. 'I might defer 1everently to your charming thco- ries. But with all the circumstantial and presumptive evidence l have against Leacock, it strikes my infer ior legal mind as sheer nonsense to say, He just couldn't be guilty be- cause his hair is parted in the mid dle and he tuclis 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 probbly convinced many in nocent persons by sheer reasoning that they were guilty" Vance stretched himself wearily.
 What do you say to a light re- past on the roof? The unutt'rable Pfyfe has tired me-
 In the summer dining-room on the roof of the StuyVesant Club We found Major Benson sitting alone, and Markham asked him to join us.
 "I have good news for you, Naior," he said, when we had given ! our order. 'I feel confident l have my man; everything points to him. Tomorrow will see the end, l hope. 1 The major gave Markham a Ques- l tioning frown.
 T don't understand exactly. i From what you told me the other i day, I got the impression there was a woman involved"
 Markham smiled awkvardly, and | avoided NanCc's eyes.
 "A lot of water has run under the 1 bridge since then" he said. 'The ! woman I had in mind was eliml- rated as soon as we began to check LID on her. But in the process ] was led to the man. There's little doubt of his guilt.
 "I felt pretty sure about it this morning, and just now I learned that he was seen by a credible wit ness in front of your brothers house within a few minutes of the time the shot was fired"
 "Is there any objection to youl telling me who it was?" The Major was still frowning.
 None whatever. The whole city will probably know it tomorrow It was Captain Leacock.'
 Major Benson stared at him 1T unbelief.
 "Impossihlc, simply can'' credit it. That boy was with m' three years on the other side, ant I got to know him pretty well.
 'I cant help feeling there's mistake somewhere. The DO lice" he added quickly, nave go on the wrong track
 Its not the police" Markham informed him. Tt was my own ln' vcstigations that turned up the Captain"
 The Major did not answer, bu his silence bespoke his doubt.
 "Y' know" put in Vance, T fee the same way about the Captair that you do, Major, It rather rleases me to have my impressions verified by one who has known hin so long"
 "What, then. was Leacock doinf in front of the house that night? urged Markham aciduIously
 "He might have been singinf carols beneath Benson's window, suggested Vance.
 Before Markham could reply h was handed card by the head waiter. When he glanced at 1t, h gave a grunt Of satisfaction, an directed that the caller be sent Il immediately. Then, turning bac to us, he said:
 I've may learn something nor TOW. I've been expecting this ma Higginbotham. He's the detectiv that followed Leacock from m cffice this morning"
 ITgeinbotham was wiry, pale faced youth with fishy eyes and shifty manner. He slouched up { the table and stood hesitantly be fore the district attorney.
 Sit down and report, Higgin botham," Markham ordered. Tines gentlemen are working with me o the case"
 T picked up the bird while h was waiting for the elevator tn - man began, eyeing Markham craft D fly.
 l He went to the subway and rod up town to Seventy-ninth an