The Elbert County tribune., 1911-10-06
CHAPTER vI.-continued.

CHAPTER W.-continued.
''Elinor Holcornbi" cried the lieu
tenant.
Donnelly and Carson. eacn with an
arm under her shoulder. propped her
sinking form
Lift your head" commanded the
Chief
The order fell on deaf ears. She
mortal illness.
Lift it for her." came in a voice
Of mingled sternness and compassion.
Donnelly's hand few to her chin.
fitting her face upward. For an in
stant she raised her heavy eyelids:
then recoiled as from a blow. The
crowd Of masked spectators hoated
before her eyes like hideous specters
Of a horrid dream. A low groan. like
the last lament OF tortured soul.
came from her lips. She seemed turn
cd Into a mass Of jelly.
Take her away" commanded the
Chief. and the two detectives carried
her out of the room.
Accused of stealing the Missioner
diamonds" was the curt explanation
Of her presence. In harsh mono
tone, the Chief read the various Head
quarters orders to the force, and then
the men not engaged on old work re-
ceived their assignments OF new
cases. AS abruptly as he had entered.
the head OF the Bureau left the room
o. III
he summoned Donnelly and Carson.
Takes 1t pretty bad. eh?" he asked.
Like all the swell ones when
they're nabbed the first time" an
Bwered Carson.
Had to call the doctor twice dur
Ing the night, the matron tells me-"
Informed Donnelly.
Did she make any statement on
the way to Headquarters? inquired
the Chief.
Nothing but Mysteries" Carson an
swered.
"And she's in no condition to be
questioned now" added Donnelly.
Anyone been inquiring for herr"
the Chief suddenly snapped.
Yes" flashed back Donnelly. His
eyes lit with a crafty glow. Some
guy who says he's a doctor and en-
gagged to marry her has been hang
ing around here all morning. Wants
TO know how he can get her out.
Looks as II he might be mixed up in
II, so I'm having him shadowed."
Good" commented the Chief. IF
any lawyer calls. tell him she's in no
lo Ia
anyone to see her until we've ques-
toned her."
It was late in the afternoon before
Miss Holcomb was escorted into the
inquisitortal chamber. She had fallen
Into a fitful slumber on the rude iron
bed that projected from the wall OF
her cell, when Donnelly and Carson
opened the grated door and called her
out OF her sleep. She gave startled
gasp when she saw them. a convulsive
shudder racked her frame. A sudden
influx Of painful memories overwhelm-
Cd her with pidful sense OF helpless
ness as she dragged herself to the Of
fce of the Chief
With weak show of courage, she
eyed Manning resolutely, and then
sank into soft leather chair close to
his desk. Donnelly and Carson oc-
cupied seats at her elbow
What did you do with those stones?"
blurted the Chief
Her lips framed reply. but 1t died
without utterance.
Come, comet" he cried inpatient
~. I'VE don't want any acting here.
] know you're only tool in this mat
ter We've got the principal under
arrest and I'm giving you chance to
save yourself. Ycu turn States evi-
dence against him and I'll see that no
harm comes to you. He's the fellow
we want to land. Now tell me just
what you did with the Jewels"
In the midst Of this outburst. door
opened silently and sharp-featured.
smooth-shaven man Of middle age en-
tered and seated himself in an OBJ
scure corner OF the room. His form
seemed to merge into the shadow of
the walls as he dropped noiselessly
into his chair. Miss Holcomb did not
see him enter Her increasing terror
gave her fictitious energy and she
lifted her head with sharp jerk.
81 didn't steal the jewels" she said.
7 had nothing to do with their disap-
pearance."
The mocking laughter OF three deep
voices sounded in the room
Does 1t well!" chuckled Donnelly.