Graham guardian., 1911-11-10

A quick spark of memory kindled
her mind, and with the first Hash, she
understood the import Of his question.
Mrs. Missioner told me the history
Of the stone," she said II believe
there was some scandal connected
with its purchase in India. She told
me that when her husband obtained
1t. there was some talk Of II having
been stolen from a temple and that
the provincial native government tried
to regain possession of 1t. Mr.. Mis-
sioner succeeded. however. in retain
Ing 1t as part of his collection"
What opportunity did the Indian
servant have Of obtaining the mock
lace?"
"None at ALL" she answered hope
lessly, unless he broke into the safe,
and believe that was not done"
MRS. Missioner informed me that
on one occasion, when the necklace
was lying on the table. the servant en-
tered the room with . box. You were
In the room at the time. Was he
close enough to the table TO touch the
necklace?"
II remember the incident very
WE'LL" she replied. Il took the box
from him at the door and he turned
around and went downstairs. do
not believe he was within ten feet Of
the table at any time"
Il don't know what to think" Britx
said. after some reflection. Almost
as soon as q new clew bobs up. It
falls down and have to begin all
over again. have no more questions
to ask today"
Fitch accompanied the detective out
Of the prison. begging vainly for some
word Of encouragement. Britz an
swered his questions with monosyl-
lables, as If he feared to commit him
self with regard TO the outcome Of his
investigation. Just before parting,
however, Britz said:
Every line that develops in this
case, you can rest assured, will be fol-
lowed to the end. So far, nothing has
been discovered that changes the as
pect Of the case in the slightest de-
gree"
The detective walked to Headquar-
ters and entered the office of the
Chief.
HAS Donnelly or Carson reported
anything new?" he inquired.
Nothing" answered the Chief.
And your"
Nothing that throws any light on
the case"
"Britz," the Chief remarked. as
though delivering some weighty con-
clusion, II think you're working on
the wrong hypothesis. You seem to
have decided that Miss Holcomb is In
nocent II you will survey the case
as 1t stands, you will have to acknowl.
edge that absolutely everything in it
points to her guilt. / do not under
take to say what her motive was In
stealing the jewels, unless 1t was SIM
ply the feminine lust for ornaments.
l feel certain, also. that she was not
alone In the crime. My belief is that
she took the necklace out Of the safe,
turned 1t over to DR.. Fitch, or some
one else. to have the duplicate made,
and then returned the false jewels to
the SAFE"
"But where were the paste gems
nader" inquired Britz.
That's for you to find out" snapped
the Chief.
II have personally visited every
manufacturer of paste gems in this
city and in Philadelphia, Boston. Buf-
falo. and Washington. My men have
been to all the places in the smaller
cities. Manufacturers in all the other
cities OF the country have been Wis
tied by the local police, and l feel abb
solutely sure that the duplicates were
not made in this country. Logan is
on the way to Paris now. and until
we hear from him ! don't think we
are safe in venturing any opinion as
to the identity of the thief. l am re-
ceiving daily reports Of the move
ments of Sands, Griswold, the butler.
and the Indian servant. but they show
nothing"
why do you think Logan will dis
cover anything? Has the real neck
lace ever been abroad?"
Mrs. Missioner had 1t with her on
the other side, but l don't know that
1t ever left her possession"
The Chiefs lips coiled into an
amused smile.
"Kind O. looks as II you're on the
wrong scent" he baited.
"Wait till we hear from. Paris"
Britz returned.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
LibrarIan's Requirements.
sY ,r,rt Tho hopk ah0ut the toad