The Delta independent., 1911-09-08

missives in three or four sweeping
Glances as he handed them to Britt.
He perused them closely, as II weigh
ing their import while noting their
contents. His impassive face masked
the emotions they aroused in him,
and he returned them to the assistant
district attorney with an air of indif-
| ference
pronounced.
Conclusive of what!" demanded
Britt.
That Miss Holcomb was the tool
of her fiance, and that the two have
combined to enlist your sympathy"
Il guess 1t wasn't a bad bit OF de-
tective work to get those letters"
Donnelly smiled.
Il guess not" agreed Carson, anx-
ious to Justify his partners little out
burst of self-adulation.
Britt turned to them abruptly.
Their flippant tones irritated him. His
nature revolted at the ill-bred rejoic-
ing over the prospective degradation
OF a 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 Swallowed from
the day he appeared at headquarters
to inquire about Miss Holcomb," he
said. That's how l got on that he
was negotiating with a real estate
agent. Luckily, the agent was
friend OF mine. and he informed me
that Fitch had purchased and paid
for site on which to build mod.
ern sanitarium. Yes, sir. he put up
$4,000 for the ground: and the build.
ings and furnishings, learned. are to
cost nearly a quarter of a million. II
wasn't easy to get the agent to turn
over Fftch's letters, but l told him
he'd have to produce them before
the grand jury under a subpoena, SO
he handed them over"
Have you tried to learn where he
got the money!" Britt demanded.
Its plain enough where he got the
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 diamonds?" Britt per-
sisted
"I'll get all that without much
trouble" was the confident reply.
We'll. go ahead and get It," Britt
ordered
When the two detectives left the
room Mott found it impossible to re-
strain his qualification.
Il 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 stuff l want" he
declared. lingering the letters.
You've been led astray. Now get
on the right trail and accomplish
something"
An attendant entered with a card.
The prosecutor glanced at 1t and
passed it over to the detective.
He's an old friend" Mott remarked.
I'VE were in college together"
A dark flush suffused Britt counte-
nance and deepened his yellow ivory
complexion to a dull gray He fixed
look of anxious interrogation on
Mott. as If doubtful of the wisdom OF
admitting the visitor into this back
room of the temple of justice.
81 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
: ~ 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 Mot
faded to superciliousness when he be
: held Britt. He glanced at the de
tective as If resentful of his presence
81 presume you can guess why
called" he said familiarly to the pros
ecutor.
1T requires no mind reader t.
fathom the object OF your visit" Mot
, laughed back.
Mrs. Missioner is on the verge o
. nervous prostration." Griswold In
: formed. She asked me to inquir
, about the progress of the case. ID
you know. she can't get herself to be
, lieve Elinor guilty. Sands is incline'
4 to agree with her to the extent Of OF
r fering to go on Miss Holcomb's bond.
;. why doesn't he do so?" inquire
!. the prosecutor.
:. Because Mrs. Missioner objects.
j. Griswold replied. She belieyes tina
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