Graham guardian., 1911-11-03


pected. One Of the missing diamonds Il
FOUND In her room Mrs. Missioner pro-
tests that Elinor II innocent. but she ID
taken to prison. Meantipe, In an up
town mansion. two Hindoos. who are In
america to recover the Maharance. dis
cuss the arrest.
,rcHAPTER v'.--cortinued.
"Elinor Holcombl" cried the Lieu.
tenant.
Donnelly and Carson. each with an
arm under her shoulder. propped her
sinking form.
Lift your head" commanded the
Chief.
The order fell on deaf ears. She
seemed as one in the last agony Of q
mortal illness.
'Lift 1t for her." came In q voice
Of mingled sternness and compassion.
Donnelly's hand dew to her chin.
dlting her face upward. For an In
stant she raised her heavy eyelids;
then recoiled az from q blow. The
crowd Of masked spectators hoated
before her eyes like hideous specters
Of horrid dream. A low groan. like
the last lament Of tortured soul,
came from her lips. She seemed turn
I'd into q mass Of jelly.
take her away" commanded the
Chief. and the two detectives carried
her out Of the room.
i 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 or old work re-
csiysd their assignments Of new
cases. Al abruptly a. he had entered.
the head of the Bureau left the room
and retired to his private once. Then
he summoned Donnelly and Carson.
Takes It pretty bad. eh?" he asked.
Like all the swell ones when
they're nabbed the first time" an
swered 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
khs Chief.
!, Nothing but Mysteries" Carson an
gwered.
& "And she's in NO condition to be
questioned now" added Donnelly.
Anyone been inQuiring for herr"
The Chief suddenly snapped.
EYES," flashed back Donnelly. His
syes lit with q crafty glow. Some
guy who says he's . doctor and en-
gagged to marry her has been hang
ing around here all morning. Wants
10 know how he can get her out.
Looks a. II he might be mixed up In
Il, 20 I'm having him shadowed."
"Good!" commented the Chief. III
any lawyer calls. tell him she's In no
condition to be seen. We don't want
anyone to see her until we've Ques-
toned her"
II was late in the afternoon before
Miss Holcomb was escorted into the
anquisitorial chamber. She had fallen
into q 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, convulsive
shudder racked her frame. A sudden
influx of painful memories overwhelm-
ed her with pitiful sense OF helpless
mess AZ she dragged herself to the Of
fice 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 stones7"
blurted the Chief.
Her lips framed reply. but It died
without utterance.
Come, come!" he cried impatient
AZ. I'VE don't want any acting here.
fknSw you're only tool in this mat
Ter. We've got the principal under
arrest and I'm giving you chance to
save yourself. You 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"
I In the midst OF this outburst, door
opened silently and sharp-featured.
smooth-shaven man of middle age en-.
terod 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
II didn't steal the jewels" she said. /
'T had nothing to do with their disap-
pearance."
The mocking laughter OF three deep
voices sounded In the room.
Does 1t WE'LL" chuckled Donnelly.