Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1911-10-06

lHdC was all. Wnetnor that all
was much or little, Britt, offhand, was
not prepared to say. The use of Girls.
wold's given name at the beginning
OF the note apparently meant a good
deal. But VINO was Millicent? In the
course of his probing of the Missioner
diamond mystery, Britz had canvassed
the complete visiting list of everyone
who was in the opera box on the night
when the falsity of the Maharanee
diamond was discovered. He had had
compiled a social register of everyone
| interested in the case--everyone that
Holcomb, Miss March, and the Swami
knew. In all that long roster there
was no one named "Millicent" Neither,
for that matter, was there a Mil
bred" There the signature was, too
clear to admit of any mistake. The
writing was excellent, and while it did
not go to the extreme of the current
fashion in chirography, it was what
Britz called in his vivid vernacular
classy"
| Ever seen that fist before?" asked
the detective as he handed the note to
Sands.
| The millionaire shook his head.
| While it was true, Britz reflected, that
the big man was known as "Silent"
Sands in Wall Street society, he was
certainly more economical of words
than anyone he had ever known in his
! hn
Are you sure you have never seen
any writing at all like that before"
Another shake of the head was
Sands only concession to the de-
detectives right to question him. He
gave the note back to the Headquar-
! tiers man, who returned to the circle
of light under the incandescent lamp
and studied it again. Meanwhile,
| Sands went on with his search of the
! second Oriental. He was not as clever
| in his movements as Britt, and when
he tried to conceal something, he sig
nalIy failed. For the detective, though
his eyes seemingly were fastened on
| the note addressed to Griswold, saw
! the millionaire take something out of
| the Oriental's tunic and then slip 1t
into his waistcoat pocket.
Something else, eh?" asked Britt.
Sands nodded.
Mind letting me see what it is?"
Sands shook his head slowly, de-
cisively
Whats the objection?'
1T is not anything that can possibly
interest you," returned the million
aire.
How do you know that, Mr.
| Sands?" asked the detective.
Il do know It," said Sands emphat-
ically.
We'll, | don't know about that"
Britt returned. Il think I'm the best
! judge of what interests me; and, as
! have played pretty active part in
this little incident, it seems to me the
least you can do is to crafty my curl
osity"
We'll, | will not" was Sands de-
fiant answer And while we are on
the subject, Lieutenant Britt, let me
say | should like to understand the
|
"Oh, you would, would you?"
snapped Britt.
81 certainly should" Sands replied.
Il come home to find you peeping
| through a hole in my portiere, and
| two Fasteners, with whom apparent
| ly you have had nothing to do, going
! through my desk and other belong
| ings. / rather think | am entitled to
know the why and the wherefore"
| Il rather think you are, Mr.. Sands"
| said Britt, and | don't mind telling
| you l came here to see you privately,
and arrived just in time to see these
| gentlemen drop to that fire escape and
1 come in by that window. After that
l had the pleasure of witnessing the
deXterity with which they ransacked
you chiffonier. your desk, your bed
| side table, your bed, your chairs, your
rugs, and everything else in the room.
Maybe you will explain to me the rea-
son they have such deep interest in
! your housekeeping arrangements"
Maybe you will do little more ex-
planning Lieutenant Britt" said the
millionaire. You Will observe that
when l said these fellows had no con-
, nection with you. qualified the asser-
| tion?"
"Oh. that was very good OF you"
said Britt
Sands continued.
Il should like to know right here
and now just how far this qualitica-
| ton extends
We'll, Mr.. Sands answered the de-
tective as he relighted his cigar
and disposed himself in the most COM
| Portable of attitudes in the chair be-
side the desk, there are a good many
things we may like to explain.
should like, for instance, to know how
your visiting card came to be in the
possession of man who is an inmate
of the State Hospital for the Insane
on Wards Island?"
If Britz expected to startle Sands in
to any physical expression Of guilt,
he was disappointed. The million
aires muscles were as infiexible as
his determination not to satisfy the
detectives inquisitiveness in regard
m that which he had taken from the