New Britain herald., 1927-09-21

Its evidence, my dear fellow,
 explained Markham patiently. "On'
 knows that the owner of this baf
 returned with Benson last night
 and remained long enough to smok, two cirarcts."
 Vance lifted his eyebrows 1T
 mock amazcment
 One does, does one? Fancy that
 TOW"
 Fl only remains to locate her 1 intcrjecfed Heath.
 She's a rather decided brunette a any rate--if that fact will facili- tate your quest any said Vance easily: though why you should de sire 10 annoy the lady, l can't for tho life Of me imagine-really l can't. don't V know"
 Why do you say she's q 1 hrunetto?" asked Mark ham. "Well if she isn't" Vance told i him. sinking listlsssly back in his chair. then she should consult q cosmetician as 10 the proper way 10 make up. l see she uses 'Eachrl' powder ani Guerlain's dark lip stick. And it simply isn't done among blondes. old dear
 "I defer. of course, to your expert opinion" smiled Markham. Then, to Heath: "I guess we'll have 10 look for q brunette. SereGant'
 "It's all right with mo- agreed Heath jocularIy. By this time, l think. he had entirely forgiven Vance for destroying tho cisaret butt.
 Frida,. June 14: ii q. mD
 "Nov." suggested Markham, "srpposc We take a look over the house. 1 imagine you've done that pretty thoroughly already, Sergeant, but I'd like 10 sce the layout. Any way. I don't want 10 question the housekeeper until the body has been removed"
 Heath rose.
 "Very good, sir. I'd like another look myself
 The four of ns went into the hall and walked down the passa seway to the rear of the house. Al the extreme end. on the left. vas door leading downstairs 10 the base ment: but it was locked and holted.
 The basement is only used for si orage noW.' Heath explained; and the door which op.ns from if into the street areaway is boarded I'D. The Platz woman sleeps up erairs-Benson lived here alone, and there's plenty of spare room ln the house: and the kitchen is on this floor
 He opened door on the opposite side Of tha paeGag way, and We stepped into q small modern kitchen. Us two high windows, which gave into the paved rear yard at height of about eight feet from the ground, were securely guarded, with iron bars, and, in addition. tho sashos were Clos-d and locked. Passing through q swinging door We entered the dining-room which was directly behind the living room. The two windows here looked upon a, small stone court-realiy no more than deep air-"ell be- tween Bonson's house and th& ad- joining one: and these also were iron -harrcd and locked,
 We now rc-entered the hallway and stood for a moment al the foot of the stairs leading above.
 You can see. Mir, Markham" Heath pointed out, that whoever shot Benson must have gotten in by the front door, There's no other way he could have entered. Living alone. I guess Benson was Il littl" touchy on the subject of burglars. The only window that wasn't harred was the rear one in the llV- inc-room: and that was shut andl locked. Anyway, fl only leads into the inside court The front Vin- cows of the liNins-room have that jronWork over them; so they couldn't have been used even 10 shoot through. for Benson was shot from the opposite direction. It's pretty clear the gunman got in the front door,"
 Looks that vay.' said Markham.
 'And pardon me for saying so,' remarked Vance, but Benson let him in.'
 ''N ?' retoriod Heath thuSi- astically. "Well. we'll fiI,d all that out later, l hope"