New Britain herald., 1927-10-07

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 Vance lit q cigaret with inter minahle deliberation, his eyes rest ing steadily on hers. He smoked placidly until her gaze dropped, Then he stepped nearer to her, and said firmly:
 will come to you, But if you refuse any information you will find your self in trouble. The withholding of evidence is a crime, y know, and the law will show you no mercy" He made a sly grimace at Mark ham, who was watching the pro- cedings with interest.
 The woman now began to show signs Of agitation. She drew in her elbows. and her breathing quick ened.
 Tn Gods name, I swear it'- there wasn't anybody here" A slight hoarseness gave evidence of her emotion.
 Let us not invoke the Deity" suggested Vance carclessly. What time was the lady hore?"
 She srt her lips stubbornly and for whole minute there was silence in the room. Vance smoked quietly, but Markham held his cigar motionless between his thumb and forefinger in an attitude os expectancy.
 Again Naucc's impressive voice demanded: What time was she horc?"
 The woman cHnched her hands with a spasmodic gesture, and thrust hor head forward,
 T tell you--I swear it----"
 Vance made peremtory move mcnt of his hand. and smiled coldly.
 Its no go," he told her. "You're acting stupidly. We're here 10 get the truth--and you're going 10 tell us"
 i've told you the truth" "Is it going to be necessary for the district attorney here to order you placed in custody@"
 "I've told you the truth" she re poatod.
 Vance crushed ont his ciearot de c!sively in an ash-recoiver on the table.
 "Ri@ht-o. Mrs. Platz. Since you refuse to tell me about the young woman who was here that after noon, I'm going to tell you about her"
 His manner was easy and cynical, and the woman watched him sus- piciously.
 Hate in the afternoon Of the day vour employer was shot, the door bell rang. Perhaps you had been informed hy Mir. Benson that he was expecting a caller. what? Any how, you answered the door and ad- mittod charming young lady.
 "Yon showed her into this room
 aAd--what do you think, my dear madam,-she took that very chair on which you are resting so uncomfortably."
 He paused, and smiled tantaliz- ingl=.
 Then" he continued. "you served tea 10 the young lady and Mir. Benson. After bit she de parted, and Mr. Benson went up- stairs to dress for dinner. Y sec, Mrs. Platz, happen to know"
 He lit another cigarct.
 "nid you notice the young lady particularly? If not, I'll describe her 10 you. She was rather short petite is the word. She had dark hair and dark eyes, and she was dressed quietly"
 A change had come over the woman. Her eyes stared: her checks were now gray: and her breathing had become audible.
 NOV, Mrs. Platz," demanded Vance sharply, what have you to say?"
 She drew a deep breath.
 There wasn't anybody here" she said doggedly. There was some thing almost admira ble in her ob- stinacy.
 Vance considered moment. Markham was about to speak, but evidently thoueht better of it. and sat watching the woman fixedly.
 Your attitude Is understand ahle,' Vance observed finally. "The young lady, Of course, was we'll known 10 you, and you had per sonal reason for not wanting 1t known she was here"
 At these words she sat up straight, a look Of terror in her 1 face.
 1 "f never saw her before" she i cried; then stopped abruptly.
 'Ah.' Vance gave her an amused leer. You had never seen the young lady bofOre-eh, what? That's quite possible. But it's i'm