The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-20
THIS HAS HAPPENED
NOW BEGIN THE STORY
CHAPTER XXXII


(Tucsday, June Is: 3 a. my
The next duy--the fourth of the
investigation - was an important
and. in some ways. momentous one
III the solution of the problem posed
BY Alvin Benson's murder.
Nothing Of definite nature came
to light. but a new element was in
jected into the case; and this new
element eventually led to the guilty
person.
Before we parted from Markham
after our dinner with Major Ben
son, Vance had made the request
that he be permitted to call at the
district attorneys office the next
morning.
Markham, both disconnected and
impressed by his unwonted ear
nestness, had complied; although, I
think, he would rather have made
his arrangements for Captain Lea
cocks arrest without the disturbing
influence Of the others protesting
presence.
It was evident that, after Higgin-
botham's report, Markham had de-
cided to place the captain in GUS
tody, and to proceed with his
preparation of data for the grand
jury.
Although Vance and l arrived at
the office at o'clock Markham was
already there. AS we entered the
room, he picked up the telephone
receiver, and asked to be put
through to Sergeant Heath.
At that moment Vance did an
amazing thing. He walked swiftly
to the district attorneys desk and
snatching the receiver out Of Mark
hams hand, clamped it down on
the hook.
Then he placed the telephone to
one side, and laid both hands on the
others shoulders. Markham was
too astonished and bewildered to
protest; and before he could re-
cover himself. Vance said in low,
firm voice, which was all the more
impelling because of its softness !:
"I'm not going to let you Jail
Leacock,-that's what l came here
for this morning. You're not going
to order his arrest as long as I'm
in this office and can prevent it by
any means whatever.
"There's only one way you can
accomplish this act of unmitigated
folly, and that's by summoning
your policemen and having me
forcibly elected. And I advise you
to call goodly number of 'em, be-
cause I'll give 'em the battle Of
their bellicose lives!"
The incredible part of this
threat was that Vance meant it
literally. And Markham knew he
meant it.
IF you do call your henchmen,"
he went on, "you'll be the laughing
stock of the city inside of a week !;
for, by that time, it'll be known
who really did shoot Benson. And
I'll be a popular hero and a martyr
God save the mark!-for defying
the district attorney and offering
up my sweet freedom on the altar
Of truth and justice and that sort
of thing. :"
The telephone rang, and Vance
answered it.
mot wanted" he said, closing off
Immediately. Then he stepped back
and folded his arms.
At the end of a brief silence,
Markham spoke, his voice quivering
with rage.
IF you don't 60 at once, Vance,
and let me run this office myself,
I'll have no choice but to call in
those policemen"
Vance smiled. He knew Mark
ham would take no such extreme
measure. After all, the issue be-
tween these two friends was an in.
tellectual one; and though Vance's
actions had placed it for q moment
on physical basis, there was 70
danger Of its so continuing.
Markham's belligerent gaze slow
~ turned to one Of profound per-
plexity.
"Why are you so damned inter-
ested in Leacock?" he asked gruffly.
"Why this irrational insistence that
he remain at large?"
"You priceless, inexpressible
asst" Vance strove to keep all hint
Of affection out Of his voice. "Do
you think I care particularly what
happens to a southern army cap.
tain?
"There are hundreds Of Leacocks
all alike-with their square should
ers and square chins, and Their
InOhhv clofhos nv,H %hos,. Ankn,.a:.<: