Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1911-09-29

Spouse to the ringing OF the bell.
rs Mrs. Missioner at homer" asked
Britt.
The butler eyed him suspiciously.
who wishes to see herr" he asked
"Lieutenant Britt, of Headquarters.
After a long delay, he was usherec
into the same room in which the Incl
dents preceding Miss Holcomb's ar
rest had occurred.
Il have come to inquire more mi
nutely into the disappearance of the
Jewels" he explained.
Mrs. M~issioner's face showed lines
of deep suffering. Heavy rings en-
circled her eyes, deep burrows SCARED
her forehead.
81 am more than anxious to supply
you with all the information in my
possession she said. 1T is meager
enough, and l almost despair of ever
seeing my jewels again"
Madam, no case is hopeless" Britz
soothed. The immense value of the
diamonds will make their recovery all
the easier. | feel safe in surmising
that one of them, or only a very few
of them, have been disposed Of as yet.
Now, do you recall the last time you
wore the collarette?"
at was a week ago, at dinner in
my home" she replied.
And when before that?"
about two weeks before, at q
dance In the home of a friend"
How long have you owned the col
larette?'
About ten years"
ut was a gift from your husband, I
believer" Britz asked.
ct was" the widow answered.
Where was 1t purchased?"
THE Maharanee vas bought in In
dia The other stones were gathered
from time to time, and were strung
together in the form Of the oollarette
at T1ffany's."
THAT was ten years ago."
ct was"
"Since then, has the collarette been
out of you possession at any timer
II recall only one instance" she re-
piled.
When was that?" he asked.
about two years ago. l sent 1t to
Tiffany's for resetting."
THE substitution was hardly made
there" he smiled. you are abso-
lutely sure the %collarette, with that
one exception, has been in no one
else's possession"
Absolutely sure" the widow an
swered.
May examine the safe?" he
asked.
Through a magnifying glass h
studied the steel door Of the compart
ment, after which the widow set the
combination and swung open the safe
The interior was as bare of suspicious
marks as the exterior.
"Donnelly and Carson are right tc
this extent. It Is an inside Job" he
pronounced.
1--WE must ascertain the day of the
robbery as closely as possible" he
said. Two years ago Is too remote
a time on which to begin work. un
derstand that you called in Mr.. Rams
come the other night? Has any other
expert seen the jewels in the last two
years."
mo other expert, but Mr.. Ranscome
and I looked over the collection be
fore I wen abroad eighteen months
ago. He saw the collarette at that
time"
Good" flashed Britz. "Of course
he said nothing as to the jewels being
paste?"
Nothing" answered Mrs. Mis-
sioner.
Then it is almost certain that the
real jewels were in your safe then
pronounced Brttz. "Since then, who
has been with you when you wore the
collarette?"
"Mr. Griswold and Mr.. Sands were
my escorts to the dinner two weeks
ago. They and Miss March also were
my guests at the opera"
Nov. please tell me exactly, who
was in the room when you put the col
larette on and when you took 1t on
on coming home two weeks ago?"
Britz inquired.
Miss Holcomb was in the room
when I opened the combination of the
safe. l believe the collarette lay on
the table until I was fully dressed,
Then Mr.. Sands and Mr.. Griswold ar.
rived, and were shown into the room,
I recall that l had difficulty in adjust.
ing the clasp, and Mr.. Griswold snap
ped 1t shut"
Were you out Of the room for ever
a moment while the c%ollarette lay on
the tablet"
NO." Mrs. Missioner answered.
did you observe anything SUSPECT
Gus in the movements, actions, or con-
duct of Miss Holcomb hat evening""
Nothing"
What occurred after you came
home? Who helped you to undress?"
my maids were asleep" said Mrs.
Missioner, "and / called Miss Hol-
comb. who occupies the room next to
mine. She helped me take off the jew
els and she saw me place them In the
safe"
"And with the exception Of your
self, Miss Holcomb is the only one
who knew the combination Of the
safe?" Britt flashed.
"Only Miss Holcomb,'' responded the
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