New Britain herald., 1927-10-21
NOW BEGIN THE STORY.
CHAPTER XVIII

CHAP Elk N-hNlIl The girl raised her head prcttily and related her story in q capable wcll-modu!atcd voice.
 About a week ago--I think i was Wednesday - Mir. Pyle called on Mr. Alvin Benson in his private office. l was in the next room, where my typewriter is located.
 There's only a glass partition be- tween the two rooms and when any one talks loudly in MT. Bcnsons Of flee l can hear them. In about five minutes MT, Pfyfe and Mir. Benson began to quarrel. l thought it was funny, for they were such good friends; but l didn't pay much at tention to it. and went on with my typing.
 Their voices got very loud though, and l caught several words Major Benson asked me this morn- ing what the words were; so l sup pose you want to know, too. Well they kept referring to a note; and once or twice q check was men, ,ioned. Several times I caught the word 'fathcr-in-laW,' and once Mr. Benson said nothing doing
 Then Mir. Benson called me in and told me 10 get him an envelope marked 'Pfyfe-PersonaP out of his private drawer in the safe. l got it for him, but right after that our boollkeeper wanted me for some- thing so I didn't hear any more.
 About 15 minutes later, when MT. Pfyfe had gone, Mr. Benson called me to put the envelope back, And he told me that if MT. Pfyfe ever called again, l wasn't, under any circumstances, 10 let him into the private office unless he himself was there. He also told me that I wasn't to give the envelope to any body - not even on a written order. And that is all, Mr. Markham U During her recital I had been as much interested in Vancc's actions as in what she had been saying.
 When first she had entered the room, his casual glance had quickly changed to one of attentive animal ton, and he had studied her closely. When Markham had placed the chair for her, he had risen and reached for q book lying on the table near her; and in doing SO he had leaned unnecessarily close to her in order to inspector so ii appeared to me - the side of hei head. And during her story he had continued his observation, at times bending slightly to the right ol left to better his view of her, Unaccountable as his actions hat seemed, l knew that some serious consideration had prompted th' scrutiny.
 When she finished speakin: Major Benson reached in his pocket and tossed long manilla envelope on the desk before Markham.
 Here it is," he said. T got Mis- Hoffman 10 bring it to me the mo ment she told me her story" Markham picked it up hesitantly as if doubtful of his right to inspec it's contents.
 you'd better look at it." tn Major advised. "'That envelop may very possibly have an impor tant bearing on the case"
 Markham removed the elasti
 band and spread the contents 0 the envelope before him. They con sisted Of three iteme--a caucelle check for $10,00o made out [ { Leander Pfyfe and signed by Alvi 1 Benson; q note for S10,000 10 Alvi 1 Benson signed by Plyie, and a brie ] confession also signcd by Pfylt
 saying the check was q forgery. !! The check was dated March got
 Of the current year. The confessio and the note were dated two day later. The note -- which was fo
 90 daysc - fell due on Friday, Jun
 Fist. only three days off.
 For fully five minutes Markham
 studied these documents in silence
 Their sudden introduction into in
 case seemed to mystify him. Nc
 had any Of the perplexity left hi face when he finally put them bac in the envelope,
 He questioned the girl careful,
 and had her repeat certain part
 of her story. But nothing nor could be learned from her; and q
 length he turned to the major. "Ill keep this envelope a while ! if you'll let me. l don't see il 1 significance at present, sbut I'd lik l to think it over"
 | When Major Benson and his sec l retayv had gone. Vance rose an