The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-27
NOW BEGIN THE STORY
CHAPTER XXxVIII

CHAPTER XXXVIII
Funny murmured Vance. 81
thought of that myself.
That's why / 'phoned Pfyfe last
night that he could return to Long
Island"
"You 'phoned him"
"Awf'lly sorry and all that
Vance apologized. "But you'd gone
to bed. Sleep was knitting up your
ravell'd sleave of care; and couldn' I
bring myself to disturb you.
Pfyfe was SO grateful, too. Most
touchin'. Said his wife also would
be grateful. He was pathetically
consolidate about Mrs. Pfyfe. But
] fear he'll need all his velvety
forensic powers to explain his alb
sence."
In what other quarters have you
involved me during my absence 2
asked Markham acrimoniously.
That's ALL" replied Vance, rising
and strolling to the window.
He stood looking out, smoking
thoughtfully. When he turned back
to the room, his bantering air hac
gone. He sat down facing Mark.
ham.
"The Major has practically admit.
ted to y" he said. that he knows
more about this affair than he has
told. You naturally can't push the
point, in view Of his hon'rablc at.
titude in the matter.
"And yet, he's willing for you te
find out what he knows, as long q:
he do 'sn't tell you himself,-that
was unquestionably the stand he
took last night. Now, l believe
there's way you can find out with.
out calling upon him to 60 against
his principle. -. You recall Mis-:
Hoffman's story Of the eavesdrop.
ping; and you also recall that he
told you he heard a conversation
which, in the light of Benson's muir.
der, became significant.
ITS quite prob'ble, therefore, that
the Majors knowledge has to de
with something connected with the
business of the firm, or at least
with one of the firms clients"
Vance slowly lit another cigaret.
my suggestion is this: call w
the Major, and ask permission t.
send man to take a peep at his
ledger accounts and his purchase ane
sales books.
"Tell him you want to find ou'
about the transactions of one Of hi!
clients. intimate that it's Miss St
Clair-or Pfyfe, if you like. hav'
a strange mediumistic feeling that
in this way. you'll get on the tract
of the person he's shielding. Ant
I'm also assailed by the Fremont
ton that he'll welcome your inter
est in his ledger"
The plan did not appeal to Mark
ham as feasible Of fraught with pos
sibilities; and it was evident he dis
liked r.aking such request Of Ma
jor Benso~ But so determined wa!
Vance, so earnestly did he argu'
his point, that in the end Markham
acquies:ed,
HE was quite willing to let m,
send a man, said Markham, hang
ing up the receiver. ar fac. HI
seemed "er to give me every Is
sistance."
II though: he'd take kindly to tn
suggestion. said Vance. "Y' see
if you discover for yourself whom
he suspects, it relieves him of tn
onus Of havin' ta.tled."
Markham rang for Swacker.
"Call up Stitt and tell him wan
to see him here before noon-tha
! have an immediate job for him."
"Stitt," Markham explained Il
Vance, sis the head Of = firm Of pub
lie accountants over in the New
York Life Building. ] USE him ,
good deal on work like this"
Shortly before noon Stitt came
He was . prematurely old younl
man. with = sharp, shrewd face an
. perpetual frown. The prospect o
working for the district attorne,
| pleased him.
Markham explained briefly whs
was wanted, and revealed enough o
the case to guide him in his tasl
The man grasped the situation i'm
mediately, and made one or tw
notes on the back Of > dilapidate
envelope.
Vance also, during the instrus
tions. had jotted down some nots
tions on . piece Of paper.
Markham stood up and took h
hat.
SNOW, I suppose, I must keep u