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

and blowing off jets Of steam all
over the community, when the mat
ter could be settled quietly in five
5. minutes with bit Of intelligent
| thinking"
At lunch, however, he did not
refer to the crime and, as if by tacit
agreement, the subject was avoided.
Markham had merely mentioned
casually to us as we went into the
dining room that he was expecting
| Heath a little later.
The sergeant was waiting for US
when we retired to the lounge-room
for our smoke, and by his expression
il was evident he was not pleased
with the way things were going.
II told you, Mr.. Markham" he
said. when we had drawn up our
chairs, that this case was going to
be Il tough one. Could you
get any kind Of lead from the
st. Clair woman"
Markham shook his head.
"She's out of it." And he re.
counted briefly the happenings al
Benson's house the preceding after
noon.
"Well, if you're satisfied" was
Hcaths somewhat dubious comment,
that's good enough for me. But
what about this Captain Leacock 2"
That's what I asked you here
to talk about Markham told him.
There's no direct evidence against
him, but there are several suspi-
cious circumstances that tend to con-
meet him with the murder. He
seems to meet the specifications as
TO height; and we mustn't overlook
the fact that Benson was shot with
just such a gun as Leacock would
be likely to possess. He was en-
gagged to the. girl, and motive
might be found in Benson's atten-
tions to her.
And ever since the big scrap"
supplemented Heath, these army
boys don't think anything Of shoot
ing people. They got used to blood
on the other side
"Thc only hitch" resumed Mark
ham, as that Phelps, who had the
job Of checking up on the captain,
reported 10 me that he was home
that night from 8 o'clock on. Of
course. there may be loop-hole
somewhere. and ! was going to sug-
gest that YOU have one Of your men
go into the matter thoroughly and
see lust what the situation is.
phelps got his information from
one OF the hall-boys; and | think
it might be well to get hold Of the
boy again and apply a little pres
sure. IF II WAS found that Leacock
was not at home at 1890 that night,
we might have the lead you've been
looking for"
'I'll attend to it myself" Said
Heath. "I'll go round there tonight,
and if this boy knows anything, he'll
spill it before I'm through with
him."
We had talked but few minutes
longer whe1 uniformed attendant
bowed deferentially at the district
attorneys elbow and announced that
Mr.. Pfyfc was calling.
.-arkham requested that his visit
or be shown into the lounge-room,
and then added to Heath:
You'd better remain, and hear
what he has TO say
Lcander Pfyfe was an immacu-
late and exquisite parsonage. He ap-
preached US with a mincing gait Of
self-approbation. lis legs, which
were very long and thin. with knees !
that seemed to bend slightly inward,
supported "a short bullying torso; and
his chest curved outward in gen
crous arc, like that of a pouter-
pigeon.
His face was rotund, and his jowls
hung in two loops over a collar too
tight for comfort His blond sparse
hair was brushed back sleekly; and
the ends Of his narrow, silken mus
tache were waxed into needle-points.
He was dressed in light-gray sum-
mer flannels, and wore a pale tur-
auoise- green silk shirt, vivid foul
ard tie. and gray suede oxfords. "A
strong odor Of oriental perfume was
given off by the carefully arranged
hatiste handkerchief in his breast
pocket.
He greeted Markham with viscid
urbanity, and acknowledged his in
PRODUCTION to us with patronizing
bow. After posing himself in a
chair the attendant placed for him:
he began polishing a gold-rimmed
sye-elass which he wore on a rib
bon. and fixed Markham with q
gaze.
"A very sad occasion, this" he
sighed.
"Realizing your friendship for Mr..
Benson" said Markham, 81 deplore
the necessity of appealing to you all
this time. 1t was very good OF you,
by the way, to GENE to the city to-
day
(To Be Continued)