Semi-weekly herald., 1911-12-11

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nature revolted at the ill-bred rejoio-
ing over the prospective degradation
sf woman
How did you get the letters?" he
asked brusQuely.
Donnelly. ready to burst with the
Importance he had gathered, needed
no urging to impart the desired in
formation.
Il had Doctor Fitch shadowed from
the day he appeared at headquarters
to inquire about Miss Holcomb." he
said. That's how I got on that he
was negotiating with a real estate
agent Luckily. the agent was a
friend of mine, and he Informed me
nat Fitch had purchased and paid
for site on which to build a mod.
ern sanitarium. Yes, SIR, he put up
10000 for the ground: and the build.
ings and furnishings. | learned. are to
cost nearly quarter of a million. II
wasn't easy TO get the agent to turn
over Fitch's letters, but told him
he'd have to produce them before
the grand jury under subpoena. SO
he handed them over"
iiave you tried to learn where he
got the money!" Britt demanded.
It's plain enough where he got tho
money. The individual stones OF the
necklace would bring all the money
he needed for the deal"
But have you tried to make sure
that he sold the d!amonds?" Britt per-
sisted
IN. get all that without much
trouble" was the confident reply.
We'll, go ahead and get it, Britz
ordered
When the two detectives left the
room Mott found it impossible to re-
strain his qualification
II guess you'll admit you're on the
wrong lay?" he jeered You've be-
wildered yourself with your own zeal.
This is the sort of stun | want" he
declared, lingering the letters.
You've been led sstray. Now get
on the right trail and accomplish
something"
An attendant entered with a card.
The prosecutor glanced at it and
passed it over to the detective.
He's an old friend" Mott remarked.
We were in college together"
A dark flush sutfused Britz' counte-
nance and deepened his yellow ivory
complexion TO dull gray He fixed
a look of anxious Interrogation on
Mott as ii doubtful OF the wisdom OF
admitting the visitor into this back
room OF the temple of Justice
Il know he's one of your suspects"
the prosecutor laughed. at the same
time pressing a button which sounded
buzzer in the reception room. Yes,
he's one Of the figures In this comedy
of errors you're playing. but I'll not
inform him that, In your eyes, he's
one of the possible thieves. You may
go ahead suspecting whom you will
without interference on my part"
The swinging door opened, and Girls
void sauntered into the room. The
cordial smile he bestowed on Mott
faded to superciliousness when he be.
held Britz. He glanced at the de-
tective as II resentful of his presence.
81 presume you can guess why 1
called" he said familiarly to the pros
ecutor.
1t requires no mind reader to
fathom the object of your visit" Mott
laughed back.
Mrs. Missioner is on the verge Of
nervous prostration." Griswold in
formed she asked me to inquire
about the progress of the case. Do
you know, she cant get herself to be-
lieve Elinor guilty. Sands is inclined
to agree with her to the extent of Of
fering to go on Miss Holcombs bond"
why doesn't he do SOP" inquired
the prosecutor
Because Mrs. Missioner objects"
Griswold replied. She believes that
the swiftest way to clear Elinor is to
permit her to remain in the Tombs.
confess | cannot see the force Of her
argument, but she is evidently acting
under what she believes to be COM
petent advice"
Britt cushioned his head against
the back of the chair In the attitude
OF an Indifferent listener to the con-
versation between the other men. II
he had any views on the subject under
discussion, he gave no audible indica,
tion of them
This man Sands" suddenly queried
Mott, seems to be an accepted suitor
OF Mrs. Missioner, doesn't her"
A wave Of red mounted to Girls
wold's forehead. An angry twitch Of
the corners OF his mouth revealed
that the prosecutor had touched ten
der spot.
He seems to divide his dme be-
tween pursuing Mrs. Missioner and
dropping his inherited millions in
Wall street" Griswold replied. II un-
derstsnd he has been hard hit In the
street. and that his fortune is dwind-
ling at a rapid rate"
''Is that so?" came a meaning query
from Britt. He exchanged significant
glances with Mott.
DO you happen to know anything OF
his financial sffairs?" asked the prose-
cutor. The question threw Griswold
Into a deep study. out OF which he
came gradually by slow stages Of men
tai effort
II know he's been hard hit" he
drawled. And know also that he's
trying to conceal his reduced circum-
stances from Mrs. Missioner In fact,
believe he needs money with which
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