But dont devitalize its flavor withpepper or
salt.
She was too motherlyto want an innocent person
suspected.
I would, myself, if only for the way he dresses.
Ive had an uneasy feeling about Pfyfe right along.
Being an army officer, he would have had a Colt
forty-five, and hewas probably a good shot. Vance adjusted his monocle and read
through them carefully.
VANCE: When did you next see Major Benson? Youll be
telling me next you know who killed him, Markhamscoffed. He said he wanted to sleep,
and didnt want to be wokeup. She pointed to the onenearest the hallway.
VANCE: And theres no other way a person could leave
the houseexcept by the front door?
But I thinkeven a grand juror could understand it.
Markham introduced him and briefly explained why he had beenrequested to call.
Moreover, he was without collar or tie, and attired in an oldsmoking jacket and
bedroom slippers!
Vance gave an almost imperceptible shrug. Platz,
who was eyeing him curiously and with mounting apprehension.
OPPORTUNITYShe was alone in the house with Benson.
Hemade several attempts to bring up the subject of the crime, butVance glibly
ignored each essay.
The testimony youveheard today is going to help
immeasurably in convicting the culprit.
Now,if all the people against whom theres the
slightest suspicion areinnocent, whats to be done? Are you acquainted with this
particular alderman? She had allnight in which to dispose of it. Markham had risen
and was pacing the floor, his eyes almost closed.
But neither of us doubted for a moment that there
was method in hismadness. She was silent for some time, her brows contracted. She
has them hidden and is keeping themfor her daughter.
Markham set his jaw, and gave Vance a look of
arctic ferocity. The American aesthetic credo is: Whatevers big isbeautiful. Vance
terms myincredibly rigid and unreceptive mind.
Vance smiled mirthfully and sprawled in his chair.
You were quite postive she did thedeed, and you told the major you were all ready to
arrest her. Willyou tell us exactly what you did that night after you met
ColonelOstrander?
Clair wasinnocent only because she herself was
guilty.