The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-02-15
@ 90 U06E 80 49,.
'%ANAKH" mUKDEK CASE
by :. SWAN DINE AUTHOR 81 BENSON MURDER cAsEI
! .Y The BENSON MURDER CASE !

"A johnny named Skecl.-Silly
idea. isn't it,"
.lIim!" Her tone was one OF
mingled contempt and disgust.
THAT cheap crook? Me hasn't got
nerve enough to strangle cat"
Precisely. But that's no reason
for sending him to the electric
chair, what?"
Vance leaned forward and smiled
engagingly. Miss La Fosse, il you
will talk to me for five minutes,
and forget I'm a stranger, I'll give
YOU my word OF honor not to let
the police or tho district attorney
know anything about you. I'm not
connected with the authorities, but
somehow I dislike tho idea of see
ing the wrong man punished. And
Ill promise to forget the source of
any information you will be kind
enough to give me. If you will
trust me. it will be infinitely easier
for you in tho end"
The girl made no answer for
several minutes. She was, I could
see, trying to estimate Vance: and
evidently sho decided that, in any
case, she had nothing to lose-now
that her friendship with the Canary
had been discoyercd-by talking to
this man who had promised her
immunity from further annoyance.
Il guess you're all right" she
said. with reservation of duttekv:
but ! don't know why I shouA
think So" She paused. but, look
here: l was told to keep out OF
this. And il don't keep out Of It,
I'm apt to be back hoofing it in the
chorus again. And that's no life
for q sweet young thing like me
with extravagant tastes-belieye
me. my friend!"
''That calamity will never befall
you through any lack OF discretion
on my part" Vance assured her.
with good-natured earnestness.
"Who told you to keep out Of it?'s
"My-flance." She spoke some.
what coQuettishly. "He's very we'll
known and he's afraid there might
be scandal il got mixed up in
the case as witness or anything
like that"
II can readily understand his
feelings" Vance nodded sympa-
thetically. "And who by the bye,
is this luckiest of mem"
"Say! You're good" She com.
plimented him with = coy moxe.
but I'm not announcing my aen.
gagement yet"
Don't be horrid." begged Vance.
"You know perfectly we'll that I
could find out his name by making
q few inquiries. And il you drove
me to learn the facts elsewhere.
then my promise to keep your name
q secret would no longer bind me-"
Miss La Fosse considered this
point.
Il guess You could find out, all
right SO I might as well tell
you-only I'm trusting to your word
to protect me-" She opened her
eyes wide and gave Vance q melt.
Ing look. II know you wouldn't
let me down."
my dear Miss La Fosse!" His
tone was one Of panied surprise.
We'll. my flance is Mr.. Mannix,
and he's the head OF q big fur.
importing house. You see''-
she. became clingingly confidential
-"Louey-that Is. Mr.. Mannix-
used to 60 round with Marcy.
That's why he didn't want me to
get mixed up IN the AFFAIR. He
said the police might bother him
with questions, and his name might
get into tho papers. And that
would hurt his commercial stand
ing"
II quite understand" murmured
Vance. "And do you. happen g
know where Mr.. Mannix Vas Non
day night"
The girl looked startled.
"Of course ] know. He Was rlehf
here with mo from half past ten
until two In the morning. We
were discussing . new musica1
show he was Interested III: ana -
wanted rae tc take the leadine rolo.s
GO me- CONIINUHD1