The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-20
BENSON Murder CASE
W s. S. u VAN DINE . Oxas

codes Of barbaric chivalry. Only
a mother could tell 'em a part. .
I'm interested in you, old chap. !
j! don't want to see you make . mis-.
take that's going to injuro You
more than it will Leacock."
Markham's eyes lost their hards
ness: he understood Vance's motive,
and forgavc him. But he was still
firm in his belief Of the captains
guilt.
He remained thoughtful for some
time. Then, having apparently o..
rived at q decision, he rang for
Swacker and asked that Phelps Be
sent for.
ave a plan that may nail this
affair down tight" he said. "And
it'll be evidence that not even you,
Vance, can gainsay."
Phelps came in, and Markham
gave him instructions.
go and see Miss St Clair at
once. Get to her some way, and
ask her what was in the package
Captain Leaeock took away from
her apartment yesterday and threw
in the East river"
He briefly summarized Higgin.
botham's report of the night b.
fore. Demand that she tell you,
and intimate that you know IL WAS
the gun with which Benson was
shot.
"She'll probably refuse to answer,
and will tell you to get out. Then
60 downstairs and wait develop.
mcnts. If she phones, listen In at
the switchboard. II she happens 20
send a note to anyone, intercept It.
And if she goes out-which hard.
~ think likely-follow her and
learn what you can. Let me heer
from you the minute you get hold
Of anything"
Il get you, Chief" Phelps seemed
pleased with the assignment, and
departed with alacrity.
'Are such burglarious and caves.
ethical by your learned profess
sion?" asked Vance. II can't har.
monizc such conduct with your
other qualities, y know"
Markham leaned back and gaSed
up at the chandelier.
Personal ethics don't enter into
it. Or, if they do, they are crowded
out by greater and graver consider
ations-by the higher demands Of
justice.
Society must be protected; and
the citizens of this country look to
me for their security against the
encroachments Of criminals and
.evil-doers. Sometimes, in the pur-
suance of my duty, it is necessary
to adopt courses Of conduct that
conflict with my personal instincts.
II have no right to jeopardize the
whole Of society because Of an %.
sumed ethical obligation to IN in
Iividual. -. You understand, Of
course, that would not use any
information obtained by these un-
ethical methods, unless it pointed
to criminal activities on the part
Of that individual. And in such Z
case, would have every right to-
use it, for the good of the com.
munity."
Il dare say you're right" yawned
Vance. But society doesn't interest
ne particularly. And ! infinitely
prefer good manners to righteous
ness"
AS he finished speaking Swacker
announced Major Benson, who
wanted to see Markham at once.
The major was accompanied by
a pretty young woman Of about %
with yellow bobbed hair, dressed
daintily and simply in light blue
crepe de chine.
But for all her youthful and
somewhat frivolous appearance, she
possessed reserve and competency
of manner that Immediately evoked
ones confidence.
Major Benson introduced her as
his secretary. and Markham placed
chair for her facing his desk.
miss Hoffman has just told me
something that ] think is vital for
you to know" said the major; land
| brought her directly to you"
He seemed unusually serious, and
his eyes held a look Of expectancy
colored with doubt.
"Tell Mr.. Markham exactly what
you told me. Miss Hoffman,"
(To Be Continued)