Do you realize the serious construction your
refusal places uponthe circumstances? Her attitude was certainly not conducive to
ones belief in herinnocence, Markham objected.
At this point Markhams secretary came to the door
and announced thearrival of Miss St.
The finding of my handbag and gloves in his
apartment might leadone to assume as much, mightnt it? As the door closed on Heath,
Vance looked up at Markham with a slysmile. But I presume your heckling of suspects
is a part ofthe legal arcana. Tracy ran down the owner of the handbag and found
outshed been to dinner with Benson that night. Bensons house the morning after he
was shot.
Did it take you an hour to go from Fortieth Street
to Eighty-firstand Riverside Drive?
Clair opened her vanity case andpowdered her
nose.
I can, therefore, advise you quite honestly
thatfrankness will best serve your interests.
Alvin Benson has intimately involved
yourself.
Alvin Benson called upon you for additional margin
and finallysold out your securities? But, I assure you,psychology teaches no such
prepostrous doctrine.
You were very kind to lend me my cigarette holder,
she saidpleasantly, laying it on his desk.
Clair, began Markham, in a tone of polite severity,
themurder of Mr. She dismissed the matter with a slight shrug of the shoulders. And
on such evidencepeople are deprived of their life and liberty!
When she had finished, she turned a serene gazeupon
the district attorney. At this point Markhams secretary came to the door and
announced thearrival of Miss St. He walkedto one of the windows and looked out upon
the gray circular tower ofthe Tombs opposite.
And I suppose the needle would remain static with a
guilty personin contact? You wont mind, Im sure, she said, if I choose my own chair
forthe inquisition. The office, like the building, breathedan air of former days.
Whether guilty or innocent, a person doesnt ordinarily invitearrest.
A faint ring of musical laughter greeted this
question.
While she spoke she opened her vanity case and
looked at herreflection in its mirror.
Can you not see theseriousness of your
position?
I can, therefore, advise you quite honestly
thatfrankness will best serve your interests.
I have other, and surer, ways of reaching
conclusions.
You are probably aware that your gloves and handbag
were found inMr.
Vance assumed an air of gushing credulousness. And
if you had,Markham old dear, youd have regretted it to your dying day.
Springer, theres a man down on Long Island that I
want tointerview as soon as possible. And have they got anyidea as to why or how it
happened? I shant forgiveour Heath; he has betrayed my faith in him.
He walkedto one of the windows and looked out upon
the gray circular tower ofthe Tombs opposite.
I could see a flash of resentment leap into
Markhams eyes; but hedid not take offense.