New Britain herald., 1927-11-05
THIS HAS HAPPENED


 Vance prevents Markham iron ] arre$ting loacoch when pfyfe'; statements strengthen tho cas, against the captain. Later hc dis 1 covers that pfyfo had been in Al. | win Benson's power because of ( check he had forged and tha' Pfyfe had put up Paula Banning, jewels with Benson as security Leacock confcsses to the murder hut Vance exposes the confession as lie to shield Miss st. Clair Vance and Markham call on Mis-. S'. Clair and she tells them shr ! dned with Benson the eve Hi;s of the murder.
 NOW BEGIN THE STORY CHAPTER NIN1
 A shadow darkoned Miss S'. Clair's face, but her voice remained even.
 '1 had hecn losing q iot Of money through Mir. Bcnson's firm and sud denly my intuition told me that he vas purposoly seeing 10 it that ! did lose. and that hc could, If he desired. help me 10 rccoup.'
 She dropped her eyes. I'll" had been annoying me with lis atten- put any daspicahlc scheme past him. ] went to his office, and told him quite plainly what l suspected. He replied that if I'd dine with him tEat night we could talk it over. knew what his object was. but was so desperate I decided 10 go anyway, hoping l might plead will him"
 And how did yon happen to men- tion to Mir Benson the exact time your littlo dinner party would terninate?'
 She looked at Vance in astonish- ment, but answered unhesitatingly
 "He said something about---mak- told him-very mphatically-that if went I should lcav" him sharply at midnight. as was my invaria blc rule on all parties. . You soc. |" she added. T study very hard at my singing, and going home at mid night, no matter what the occasion. is one of the sacrificCS--or rather, rcstrictions--I impose on myself"
 Most commendahlc and most wisc." commented Vance. Was this fact generally known among your acquaintances
 "Oh yes It even resulted in my being nicknam"d Cinderella"
 Specifically. did Colonel Os- trander and Mr. Pfyfc know it."
 "Yes."
 Vance thought a moment.
 ''IioW did you happen 10 go 10 tCa at Mr. Benson's homo inc day of 'he murder, if you were to dine with him that night ."
 4 flush stained her checks.
 "Thcr" was nothing wrong in that" she declared. "comehow, after I had left MT Bonson's office. l rcvolt"d against my decision 10 dine with him. and I went to his house-I had gon" back 10 the office first, but he had left--to make a final appeal, and 10 beg him 10 re lease me from my promise. But he laughed th" matter off. and after insisting that I have tea, sent me home in q taNicah 10 dress for dir- nor. Ii" called for me about half past seNen."
 And when you pleaded with him 10 release you from your promise you sought ito fright,n him by re- calling Captain Lcacocl,'> threat; and hc said it was only a bluff"
 Again the Woman's a>tonishmcnt NaS manifest.
 "YcS." she murmurcd.
 Vance gave her soothing smile.
 Colonel Ostrandcr told me he saw you and Mr. Benson at the Mar 
 "Ycs; and I was terribly ashamed. He knew what Mir. Benson Was. and had warned me against him only q few days bcfOrc.''
 'I was under the impression the Colonel and Mr. Benson We're good friends"
 "Thcy w"rc--up 10 week ago. But tn" Colonel lost more money than l did ln q stock pool which Mr, Benson engineered recently, and he iutimatod to me very that Mr. Benson had de- liberatcly misadyiscd us 10 his own benefit. He didn't even speak 10 Mir. Benson that night at tAe Mar seillcs."
 What abou, these rich and precious stones tha, accompanied your tea with Mr. Benson 9"
 'Brih"S,' she answered; and her smile was Il more eloquent condemnation Of Henson han If she had roStort"l to the bit 'cr"st Castigation.
 "1he gentleman sought 10 turn my head with them. was offered a string of pearls to wear to din-