The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-09-24
THIS HAS HAPPENED

CURRIE ............ Vance's valet
S. S. VAN DINE -. The Narrator
THIS HAS HAPPENED
A woman's gloves and handbag
are found in the room where the
murder was committed. In Ben
sons bedroom are found his false
teeth and toupee. a policeman
reports having seen big gray auto
mobile outside Benscn's house at
midnight. Later Markham confides
in Vance that the handbag has been
traced to Miss st. Clair.
NOW BEGIN THE STORY
CHATTER X
Markham's manner was preoc-
cupied, and during the rest Of the
lunch VIC spoke but little.
AS we sat in the clubs lounge
room later having on. smoke, Ma
jor Benson, who lad been standing
dejectedly at window close by,
caught sight Of Markham and came
over to US. He was i full-faced man
Of about so, 18th grave kindly fea-
lures and sturdy, ere ret body.
He greeted Vance and me with
a casual bow, and turned at once
to the district attorney.
Markham, I've been thinking
things over consta:tly since our
lunch yesterd :" he sid "and
there's one other suggestion I think
| might make. There's :. man named
Leader Pfyfe who was very close to
Alvin; and it's possible he could
give you some helpful information.
His name didn't occur to me yester-
day, for he doesn't live in the city;
he's on Long Island somewhere
Port Washington, ! think.-lt's just
an idea. The truth is, can't seem
to figure out anything that makes
sense in this terrible flair
He drew quick, resolutc breath,
as if to check some involuntary sign
of emotion. 1t was evident that the
man. for all his habitual passivity of
nature, was deeply moved
That's good suggestion, Major"
Markham said, maA:,g a notation
on the back Of letter. 'Ill get
after it Immediately"
Vance, WHO, during this brief in
terchange, had been gazing uncon-
cernedly out Of the window, turned
and addressed inns to the ma jor
"How about Colonel Ostrander?
I've seer hin. seve, Il times in the
company of your brother"
Major Benson made slight ges-
ture of deprec: Ion.
"Only an acquaintance. He'd be
of no value"
Then he turned to l.arkl I'M.
II dot imagine it's time even
to hope that you've run across any
thing"
Markham took his cigar from his
mouth, and turning it about in his
fingers, contemplated it thought
fully.
Il wouldn't say .hass," he remarked,
after a n .nent. 1--WE managed to
find out whom your brother dined
with Thursday night; and l know
that this -erson return. home with
him shortly aft,r midnight" He
paused as if celebrating the wisdom
of saying more. Then: "The fact
is, l don't need : great deal more
evidence than I'VE got already to go
before the grand jury and ask for
an indictment"
A look Of surprised admiration
flashed in the ma. IS bre face.
THANK G for that, Markham!"
he said. Then, setting his heavy
jaw, he placed his hand on the dis
trict attorneys shoulder. "Go the
limit-for my sake!:' he urged. ",,f
you want me for anything, I'll he
here at the club till late"
With this he turned and walked
from the room.
1T seems bit FLOODED to
bother the major with questions so
soon after his brothers deaf, !"
commented Markham. "Still, the
world has got og on"
Vance stifled q yawn.
"Why-in heavens !. .me?" he
murmure, listlessly.
Saturday, !u~e II; 2 p. m.
We sa. for a while smoking in
silence. Vance gazing lazilv out into
Madison Squal :, Markham frown-
ing deeply at the faded oil portrait
Of old Peter S.uyvesant that hung
over the fireplace.
Presently Vance turned and con-
templated the districA attorney with
q family sardonic smile.
II say, Mark. am" he drawled;
"it has always been source Of
amazement to me how easily you
investigators of crime are misled
by what you call clues. Yo find q
footprint, or q parked automobile,
or . monogrammed handkerchi :,
and then dash off on a wild chase.
Pom my word it's $. - you chaps
were all under tie spell Of shillin'
shockers. Won't you ever learn
that crimes cam. be solved by de-
auctions based merely on material
clues and circumst' ntia. evidence :"
! think Markham was as much
surprised Is a this sudden criti-
cism; yet we both knew Vance well
enough to realize that, despite h
placid and almost flippant tone
there was serious purpose behin'
Ais words. -.