The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-01
NOW BEGIN THE STORY
Ola IrTER wv

Vial ! III -NN
Markham studied him for few
seconds. He knew there was some
thing more than mere whim be-
meath Nancc's gertrude of manner:
and it was this knowledge that had
stayed his hand when he was about
to have the woman placed in Gus
tody.
Her attitude was certainly not
conducive to ones belief in her in
nocence," Markham objected. "Shc
played her part damned cIeverIy,
though. But it was just the part
a shrcwd woman, knowing herself
guilty, would have played"
II say, didn't it occur to you"
asked Vance, that perhaps she
didn't care farthing whether You
thought ner guilty or not that.
III. fact, she was a bit disappointed
when you let her co."
That's hardly the way | read the
sltllation,' returned Markham.
whether guilty or innocent. a per-
son doesn't ordinarily invite ar
rest
by the bye asked Vance
where was the fortunate swain
during the hour Of Alvin's pass
ing ?"
"Do YOU think we didn't check
up OH that point" Markham spoke
with disdain. Captain Leacoek
was at his own apartment that
night from 8 o'clock on
"Was he, really" airily retorted
Vance. "A most model young fella,"
Again Markham looked at him
sharply.
I'D like to know what weird
theory has been struggling in your
brain today" he unused. 'Now that
I've let the lady go temporarily
which Is what you obviously
wanted ME to do, and have stul-
titled my own better judgn .ent in
SO doing. why not tell me frankly
what you've got up your sleeve -
up my sleeve?' Such an inele-
giant metaphor! One would think |
was prestidig 'tator, what?o
Whenever Vance answered in this
fashion 1t was sign that he wished
to avoid making direct reply:
and Markham dropped the matter.
anyway he submitted, "you
didn't have the pleasure of witness
ing my humiliation, as you .rophe-
sled"
Vance looked. up in simulated sur
prise.
Didn't |, now?' Then he added
sorrowfully: Life is so full of dis
appointments, " know"
Saturday lima -. - -,
After Markham had telephoncd
Heath the details of the interview,
we returned to the Stuyvo can't club.
Ordinarily the district rttorney's
office shuts down at ! o'clock on
Saturdays; but today the hour had
been extended because of the i'm
portan"e attaching to Mis- st.
Glars visit. Markham had lapsed
into an retrospective silence which
lasted until we were again seated
in the alcove of the clubs lounge
room. Then he spoke irritably.
"Damn it! / shouldn't have let
her. go. -. 1 still have a feeling
she's guilty."
Vance assumed an air Of gushing
RIGHTEOUSNESS.
"Oh, really? l dare say you're SO
psychic. Been that 'ay all your
life, no doubt. And haven't you had
lots and lots of dreams that came
true! I'm sure you've often had
phone call from someone you were
thinking about at the moment. A
delectable gift. Do you read palms,
also? -. Why not have the lady's
horoscope cast?"
II have no evidence as yet"
Markham rctorted, "that your be-
lief in her innocence is founded on
anything more substantial than
your impressions.
"Ah, but it is, "averred Vance.
i know she's innocent. Further
more, | know that no woman could
possibly have fired the shot,"
Dent get the erront idea II
your head that woman couldn't
have manipulated q as army Colt"
"Oh, that ?" Vance dismissed the
notion with a shrug. "The material
indications of the crl.ne don't enter
into my calculations, " know,-I
leave 'em entirely to you lawyers
and the lads with the bullying del
toids.
Il have other. and surer, ways of
reaching conclusions. That's why
told you that if you arrested any
woman for shooting Benson you'd
be laundering most shamefully."
Markham grunted indignantly.
"And yet you seem to have re-