The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-24

fession. Benson wasn't the type Of
man-friend or no friend-who'd
hand over that amount without
security. He wanted his money back
not somebody in Jail. That's why
l put my oar in, and asked about
the security.
"Pfyfe, Of course, denied it; but
when pressed as to how Benson
knew he'd pay the note, he retired
into cloud. I had to suggest the
confession as the possible explana.
ton, which showed that something
else was in his understanding he
didn't care to mention. And the
way he jumped ct my suggestion
bears out my theory"
"Wcll, what Of it," Markham
asked impatiently..
''Oh, for the gift of tears!" moan.
ed Vance. Don't you see that there's
someone in the background-some-
one connected with the security? It
must be so. v know; otherwise Pyle
would have told you the entire tale
Of the quarrel, if only to clear him.
self from suspicion.
"Yet, knowing that his position
is an awkward one, he refuses to
divulgc what passed between him
and Benson in the office that day.
Pfyfe is shielding someone
and he is not the soul Of chivalry,
y know. Therefore, l ask: Why?"
lie leaned back and gazed at the
ceiling.
81 have an idea, amounting to .
cerebral cyclone" he added, "that
when We put our hands on that
security, we'll also put our hands
on ne murderer"
At this moment the telephone
rang. and when Markham answered
it look of startled amusement came
into his eyes. He made an appoint
ment with the speaker for halt past
five that afternoon. Then, hanging
up the receiver, he laughed outright
at Vance.
"Your auricular researches have
been confirmed" he said. "Miss Hoff-
man just called me confidentially
on an outside phone to say she has
something to add to her story. She's
coming here at $780,"
Vance was unimpressed by the an.
nouncement.
81 rather imagined she'd telephone
during her lunch hour"
Again Markham gave him one OF
his searching scrutinies.
"There's something damned queer
going on around here" he observed.
"Oh, quite" returned Vance care.
lessly. "Queerer than you could pos.
sibly imagine"
For Is or 20 minutes Markham
endeavored to draw him out; but
Vance seemed suddenly possessed Of
an ability to say nothing with the
blandest fluency. Markham finally
became cxaspcrated.
I'm rapidly coming to the con.
clusion." he said, "that either you
had a hand in Benson's murder, or
you're phenomenally good
guesser."
There is, " know, an alterna-
tive" rejoined Vance. ut might be
that my aesthetic hypothesis and
metaphysical deductions as you
call 'em are working out-eh.
what?"
A few minutes before we went to
lunch Swacker announced that Tracy
had Just returned from Long Island
with his report.
us he the lad you sent to look
into Pfyfe's affaires du occur :"
Vance asked Markham. "For, if he
is, am all a-flutter."
in, Swacker.'
Tracy entered smiling silky, his
black notebook in one hand, his
pince-rez in the other.
II had no trouble learning about
Pfyfe," he said. "He's well known
in Port Washington-quite q char.
acter. in fact-and it IVES easy to
pick up gossip about him."
He adjusted his glasses carefully,
and referred to his notebook.
He married Miss Hawthorn in
1910. She's wealthy, but Pfyfe
doesn't benefit much by it, because
her father sits on the money.
bags"
"Mr. Tracy, say" interrupted
Vance; never mind the nee-Haw.
thorn and her doting papa,-Mr.
Pfyfe himself has confided in US
about his sad mn~ria"e. Tell US, Il
you can, about Mr.. Pfyfe's extra.
nuptial affairs. Are there any other
LADIES'"
Tracy looked inquiringly At the
district attorney: he was uncertain
as to Vance's standing. Receiving
a nod from Markham, he turned .
page in his notebook and pro.
ceeded.
(To Be Continued)