The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-09-29
BENSON Ml(GjlDER CASE


Her voice was low and resonant
the speaking voice Of the highly
| trained singer. She smiled % she
spoke, but It was not . cordial smile:
lit was cold and distant, yet somehow
indicative Of levity.
in ''t tone NJ; S Of polite severity. IL:
murder Of Mr.. Alvin Benson has
intimately involved yourself. BE.
fore taking any definite steps, l
have invited you here to ask you !
few questions. can, therefore,
advise you quite honestly that
frankness will best serve your in.
terests."
He paused, and the woman looked
at him with an ironically question:
"Am l supposed to thank you for
your generous advice :"
Markham's scowl deepened AZ he
glanced down at typewriter page
on his desk.
"You are probably aware that
your gloves and handbag were
found in Mr.. Benson's house the
morning after he was shot"
II can understand how YOU might
have traced the handbag to me-"
she said; "but how did you arrive
at the conclusion that the gloves
were minc?"
Markham looked up sharply.
do you mean to say the gloves
are not yours?"
"Oh. no." She gave him another
wintry smile. II merely wondered
how you knew they belonged to me,
since you couldn't have known eth
or my taste in gloves or the size
/ worc."
They're your gloves, them"
III they are Trcfoussc. size five.
and-thrcc-quartcrs, Of white kid end
elbow length, they are certainly
mine. And I'd So like to ksy. them
back, if you don't mind"
"l'm sorry" said Markham: "but
it is necessary that keep them Tor
the present"
She dismissed the matter with q
slight skrug of the shoulders.
do you mind if l smoke:" she
asked.
Markham instantly opened q
drawer of his desk, and took out .
box of Benson and Hedges cigarets.
II have my own. thank you," she
informed him. But would 30 ap-
preciate my holder. I've missed it
horribly"
Markham hesitated. He was
manifestly annoyed by the woman's
attitude.
"I'll be glad to lend it to you."
he compromised; and reaching into
another drawer of his desk, he laid
the holder on the table before her.
SNOW. Miss St. Clair" he said,
resuming his gravity Of manner,
will you tell me how these personal
articles Of yours happened to be in
Mr.. Benson's living-room 2"
mo, Mr.. Markham, will not"
she answered.
do you realize the serious con-
struction your refusal places upon
the circumstances
II really hadn't given it much
thought" Her tone was indifferent.
1T would be well if you did,
Markham advised her. "Your posi-
ton is not an enviable one: and
tn" presence Of your belongings in
Mr.. Benson's room is, by no mems.
the only thing that connc sai
directly with the crime"
The woman raised hc cyt in
quiringly, and again H. cnigmati
smile appeared at ~ corners
her mouth.
"Perhaps you have sufficient evl-
dence to accuse me of the MURDER"
Markham ignored this question.
"You were we'll acquainted with
Mr.. Benson, / believe ?"
"The finding Of my handbag and
gloves in his apartment might lead
one to assume as much, mightn't
it," she parried.
He was, in fact, much interested
in you?" persisted Markham.
She made a face, and sighed.
"Alas, yes! Too much for my
peace OF mind -. Have I been
brought here to discuss the atten-
tons this gentleman paid me ?"
Again Markham ignored her
query.
"Where were you, Miss St. Clair,
between the time you left the Mar
settles at midnight and the time
you arrived home-which, / UNDER
stand, was after l o'clock ?"
"You are simply wonderful she
"You seem to know
everything. !. Well, I can only
say that during that time I was on
my way home"
did it take you an hour to co
from Fortieth Street to Eighty-first
and Riverside Drive?
Just about, | .hould say,-a few
more or less, perhaps"
"How do you account for that ?"
Markham was becoming impatient.
II can't account for it." she said,
except by the passage of time.
Time does fly, doesn't it, Mr.. Mark
ham ?"
Ito be Continued)