No, Vance returned, with a sad wag of the head; no man has so little vanity that he would delibrately reveal himself to the world as a creature with no perceptible powers of human reasoningas he does in all these morning journalsfor the mere sake of bringing one murderer to justice. That would be martyrdom gone mad.
Markham, at any rate, may know or suspect something that hasnt been revealed, I said.
Vance pondered a moment.
Thats not impossible, he admitted. He has kept himself modestly in the background in all this journalistic palaver. Suppose we look into the matter more thoroughlyeh, what?
Going to the telephone he called the District Attorneys office, and I heard him make an appointment with Markham for lunch at the Stuyvesant Club.
What about that Nadelmann statuette at Stieglitzs, I asked, remembering the reason for my presence at Vances that morning.
I aint[42] in the mood for Greek simplifications to-day, he answered, turning again to his newspapers.
To say that I was surprised at his attitude is to express it mildly. In all my association with him I had never known him to forgo his enthusiasm for art in favor of any other divertisement; and heretofore anything pertaining to the law and its operations had failed to interest him. I realized, therefore, that something of an unusual nature was at work in his brain, and I refrained from further comment.
Markham was a little late for the appointment at the Club, and Vance and I were already at our favorite corner table when he arrived.
Well, my good Lycurgus, Vance greeted him, aside from the fact that several new and significant clues have been unearthed and that the public may expect important developments in the very near future, and all that sort of tosh, how are things really going?
Markham smiled.
I see you have been reading the newspapers. What do you think of the accounts?
Typical, no doubt, replied Vance. They carefully and painstakingly omit nothing but the essentials.
Indeed? Markhams tone was jocular. And what, may I ask, do you regard as the essentials of the case?
In my foolish amateur way, said Vance, I looked upon dear Alvins toupee as a rather conspicuous essential, dont y know.
Benson, at any rate, regarded it in that light, I imagine. Anything else?
Well, there was the collar and the tie on the chiffonier.
And, added Markham chaffingly, dont overlook the false teeth in the tumbler.
Youre postively coruscatin! Vance exclaimed. Yes, they, too, were an essential of the situation. And Ill warrant the incomprable Heath didnt even notice them. But the other Aristotles present were equally sketchy in their observations.
You werent particularly impressed by the investigation yesterday, I take it, said Markham.
On the contrary, Vance assured him. I was impressed to the point of stupefaction. The whole proceedings constituted a masterpiece of absurdity. Everything relevant was sublimely ignored. There were at least a dozen points de départ[43], all leading in the same direction, but not one of them apparently was even noticed by any of the officiating pourparleurs[44]. Everybody was too busy at such silly occupations as looking for cigarette-ends and inspecting the ironwork at the windows.Those grilles, by the way, were rather attractiveFlorentine design.
Markham was both amused and ruffled.
Ones pretty safe with the police, Vance, he said. They get there eventually.
I simply adore your trusting nature, murmured Vance. But confide in me: what do you know regarding Bensons murderer?
Markham hesitated.
This is, of course, in confidence, he said at length; but this morning, right after you phoned, one of the men I had put to work on the amatory end of Bensons life, reported that he had found the woman who left her hand-bag and gloves at the house that night,the initials on the handkerchief gave him the clue. And he dug up some interesting facts about her. As I suspected, she was Bensons dinner companion that evening. Shes an actressmusical comedy, I believe. Muriel St. Clair by name.
Most unfortunate, breathed Vance. I was hoping, y know, your myrmidons wouldnt discover the lady. I havent the pleasure of her acquaintance, or Id send her a note of commiseration Now, I presume, youll play the juge dinstruction[45] and chivvy her most horribly, what?
I shall certainly question her, if thats what you mean.
Markhams manner was preoccupied, and during the rest of the lunch we spoke but little.
As we sat in the Clubs lounge-room later having our smoke, Major Benson, who had been standing dejectedly at a window close by, caught sight of Markham and came over to us. He was a full-faced man of about fifty, with grave kindly features and a sturdy, erect body.
He greeted Vance and me with a casual bow, and turned at once to the District Attorney.
Markham, Ive been thinking things over constantly since our lunch yesterday, he said, and theres one other suggestion I think I might make. Theres a man named Leander Pfyfe who was very close to Alvin; and its possible he could give you some helpful information. His name didnt occur to me yesterday, for he doesnt live in the city; hes on Long Island somewherePort Washington, I think.Its just an idea. The truth is, I cant seem to figure out anything that makes sense in this terrible affair.
He drew a quick, resolute breath, as if to check some involuntary sign of emotion. It was evident that the man, for all his habitual passivity of nature, was deeply moved.
Thats a good suggestion, Major, Markham said, making a notation on the back of a letter. Ill get after it immediately.
Vance, who, during this brief interchange, had been gazing unconcernedly out of the window, turned and addressed himself to the Major.
How about Colonel Ostrander? Ive seen him several times in the company of your brother.
Major Benson made a slight gesture of deprecation.
Only an acquaintance. Hed be of no value.
Then he turned to Markham.
I dont imagine its time even to hope that youve run across anything.
Markham took his cigar from his mouth, and turning it about in his fingers, contemplated it thoughtfully.
I wouldnt say that, he remarked, after a moment. Ive managed to find out whom your brother dined with Thursday night; and I know that this person returned home with him shortly after midnight. He paused as if deliberating the wisdom of saying more. Then: The fact is, I dont need a great deal more evidence than Ive got already to go before the Grand Jury and ask for an indictment.
A look of surprised admiration flashed in the Majors sombre face.
Thank God for that, Markham! he said. Then, setting his heavy jaw, he placed his hand on the District Attorneys shoulder. Go the limitfor my sake! he urged. If you want me for anything, Ill be here at the Club till late.
With this he turned and walked from the room.
It seems a bit cold-blooded to bother the Major with questions so soon after his brothers death, commented Markham. Still, the world has got to go on.
Vance stifled a yawn.
Whyin Heavens name? he murmured listlessly.
Chapter VI. Vance Offers an Opinion
(Saturday, June 15; 2 p.m.)
We sat for a while smoking in silence, Vance gazing lazily out into Madison Square, Markham frowning deeply at the faded oil portrait of old Peter Stuyvesant that hung over the fireplace.
Presently Vance turned and contemplated the District Attorney with a faintly sardonic smile.
I say, Markham, he drawled; it has always been a source of amazement to me how easily you investigators of crime are misled by what you call clues. You find a footprint, or a parked automobile, or a monogrammed handkerchief, and then dash off on a wild chase with your eternal Ecce signum![46] Pon my word, its as if you chaps were all under the spell of shillin shockers. Wont you ever learn that crimes cant be solved by deductions based merely on material clues and circumstntial evidence?