The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-02-09

hasn't been given an audience.
banker to gaze upon him and
hearken to his rune. He'd make
the family circle complete. 80 to
speak. He still holds forth
in Maiden Lane. I see: and 1t
wouldn't take long to fetch Kim
here"
Markham had swung half
round in his chair ut tho mention
OF Mannix's name. lie started to
protest. but he knew from exper.
fence that Vance's suggestions
were not the results OF idle
whims: and he was silent for sew
eral moments weighing the mat
ter. With practically every other
avenue of inquiry closed for the
moment, I think the idea Of ques-
tioning Mannix rather appealed
to him.
"All right" he consented.
ringing for Swacker; Though l
don't see how he can help. Ac-
cording to Heath. the Odell girl
gave him his leave year ago."
"IIe may still have hay on his
horns, or. like Hotspur. be drunk
with choler. You can't tell.
Vance resumed his chair. with
such q name. he'd bear investiga-
tion ips0 jocto."
Markham sent Swacker for
Tracy: and when the latter ar
rived, suave and beaming. he was
given instructions to take the dis
trict attorneys car and bring
Mannix to the ONCE.
Get q subpoena" said Mark
ham. land use It II necessary"
HALF an hour or so later Tracy
returned.
"Mr. Mannix made no dificulty
about coming" he reported. WAS
quite agreeable. in fact. He's In
the waiting-room now"
Tracy was dismissed. and Man
nix was ushered In.
He was = large man. and he
walked with the forced elasticity
OF gait which cpitomizes the silent
struggle Of incipiently corpulent
middle age to deny the onrush of
the years and cling to the SEM
blance Of youth.
He carried . slender wanghcc
cane: and his checkered suit. bro
caded waistcoat, pearl gray
CATERS. and gaily beribbOned
Homburg hat gave him an almost
foppish appearance. But these
various indications Of sportiveness
were at once forgotten when one in.
spected his features. His small
eyes were bright and crafty: his
nose was bibative. and appeared
disproportionately small above
his thick sensual lips and prog
nathous jaw.
There was an oiliness and
shrewdness in the mans manner
which were at once repulsive and
arresting.
At a gesture from Markham he
sat down on the edge OF q chair
placing q podgy hand on each
knee. His attitude was one OF
alert suspicion.
Mr.. Mannix," said Markham
an engaging note OF apology in
his voice. II am sorry to have
disconnected you: but the matter
in hand is both serious and ur
gent. A Miss Margaret Odel
was murdered night before last
AID in the course Of our inquiries
We learned that you had at ont
time known her quite we'll. 1t oc
Cured to me that you might b.
IN possession Of some facts abou
her that would assist us in our IN
vestigation."
/ A smile meant to BE- genla
parted the mans heavy lips.
| 'Sure. ! knew the Canary
long time ago. y understand" H
permitted himself . sigh. "A Ane
high-class girl. Il do say SO.
good looker and . good dresser
TOO damn bad she didn't go o
with the show business. But"-h
made Z speculative motion wit
/ HE hAno-SsI haven't seen til
) lady, - un6erstand, for over
!. year-aot 70 speak to. Il you kno'
!. what ! mean"
Il 1Gannix clearly Was on al
| guard. and his beady little eye