The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1911-12-23
CHAPTER XVI.
Mutual Explanations.

Mutual Explanations.
It was breakfast time, and Britt and
Fitch after their exciting night were
hungry enough to eat a Hindoo, but
they did not stop to show considera-
ton to their inner men.
AS he expected, Britz found Girls
void and Mrs. Delaroche In the big
reception room of the Detective Bu-
reau with the detectives who had ar
rested them waiting ponderously near
the door, and an interested desk lieu-
tenant looked up from his work to
hear the denouement Of what Police
Headquarters had come to regard as
the "star" case of the year.
Britt walked slowly to his own
room, where the scowling Orientals
were penned in a corner, while the
chief of the detectives and his two
subordinates were taking well-earned
rest in the lieutenant's easy-chairs.
Britz talked to Manning In whispers,
then went to the telephone and called
Mrs. Missioner's house.
=&dOOu uloI u1uS, N1t .. NllSoi0i1S1 ~
said over the wire. This Is Lieuten-
ant Britz-Britz, Of Headquarters. /
called you up to tell you we had ar
rested the jewel thieves and-beg par
don? What did you SAVIOUR jewels
have been returned to you? That's
strange. I have one Of them in my
pocket now How's that? You say you
have all your jewels? Then whose 10
this-the Maharanee? Pardon me, Mrs.
Missioner, don't quite understand.
We have the thieves here and the big
gest OF the diamonds. What did you
say-you don't want the thieves prose-
cuted? Why, really, Mrs. Missioner
yes, Of course-yes, am talking from
Police Headquarters they are here
now, all the thieves, lot No. 1 and lot
No. e.. You say you don't understand?
Well, tell you, Mrs. Missioner, per-
haps you had better run down here.
Yes, know 1t is a great deal to ask,
but have worked pretty hard to find
your diamonds-yes, day and night.
The Chief thinks 1t would be better IL
you could arrange to come down. It
won't take you long; you need not stay
more than five minutes. Oh. but you
don't know who the thieves are; yes,
you have guessed In part-not alto
gether; but / think you'd better come
down, Mrs. Missioner; you will be In
terested, am sure. How's that? Bring
Mr.. Sands? By all means, IL you wish.
Yes, / will await you-then you'll
come? Thank you very much, Mrs.
Missioner Good-by.
! Now, what do you think OF that?''
work, Mrs. Missioner calmly informs
me that her jewels have been re,
turned to her, and that she does noe
wish to prosecute the thieves. She
says she is willing to overlook their
little deviations from the path Of hon
esty, as she Is SO glad to re-
cover her jewels. told her had the
Maharanee in my pocket, and she In
sisted she had all her gems. What do
you know about that, anyway"
Mrs. Delaroche was brought In by a
private of the detective force, and
Britz, with elaborate politeness, bowed
her to. chair. She was too angry to
acknowledge his courtesy, and she sat
looking at the lieutenant and the
Chief with flashing eyes.
Mrs. De1aroche," said Britz, Il
may as well tell you at the outset that
the game is up. We know all about
your connection with this case, and the
/ fNr To do {c +@ x4I1
everything you know. Your friend
Mr. Griswold, as you have seen, is I'M
der arrest. What do you know about
him 2"
Il shall answer no questions" said
Mrs Delaroche, until shall have
had an opportunity to engage coun
/ SELL
"Mr. Griswold is engaged to marry
you?"
of course" she replied with an In
d1gnant flush.
Now, Mrs. Delaroche," Britz re
piled, I'm going to tell you that yor
are the most mistaken lady In Man
haitian Island right now. Griswold /.
not engaged to you; at any rate b,
doesn't understand that he is"
! What do you mean, sir?"
/ 81 mean, madam" answered Britz
chat Mr. Curtis Griswold, though b.
engaged himself to marry you, ha,
been industrious1y engaged for some
| ttmo past In attempting to become en-
| gagged to another woman"
Who is she?"
She is the possessor Of many mil
lions" said Britz, "a woman of &C
knowledged beauty and OF undeniabl,
charm. OF course, don't undertake
to say for moment, madam, that he
attractivenes equals yours. Doubtless
Mr., Grigwold. being an enterprisinI
young man, has eyes more to her mi
lions than to her looks. Nevertheless
lshe il beauty"