Graham guardian., 1911-11-10
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| bility of nocturnal intrusion. The
front door was of heavy bronze and
was swung open by the butler in re-
sponse to the ringing of the bell.
"Is Mrs. Missioner at homer" asked
Britz.
The butler eyed him suspiciously.
"Who wishes to see herr" he asked
Lieutenant Britt, Of Headquarters.
After long delay, he was ushered
into the same room In which the incl.
dents preceding Miss Holcomb's ar
rest had occurred.
T have come to inquire more mi
nutely into the disappearance Of the
Jewels" he explained.
Mrs. Missioner's face showed lines
of deep suffering. Heavy rings en-.
circled her. eyes. deep burrows SCARED
her forehead.
II am more than anxious to supply
you with all the Information in my
possession" she said. TT is meager
enough. and almost despair Of ever
seeing my jewels again"
Madam, no case IL hopeless" Britz
soothed. THE immense value Of the
diamonds will make their recovery all
the easier. / feel safe In surmising
that none of them. or only very few
Of them, have been disposed Of as yet.
Now. do you recall the last time you
wore the collarette?"
'It was a week ago. at dinner in
my home" she replied.
And when before that?"
About two weeks before, at a
dance in the home of friend"
How long have you owned the col
larette?"
About ten years"
"It was a gift from your husband, I
believes" Britz asked.
"It was" the widow answered.
where was 1t purchased?"
"The Maharanee was bought in In
dia. The other stones were gathered
from time to time, and were strung
together in the form of the collarette
at Tiffany's."
"That was ten years ago?"
'Tt was"
"Since then, has the collarette been
out of your possession at any timer"
II recall only one instance" she re-
piled.
when was that?" he asked.
about two years ago. sent It to
Tiffany's for resetting."
The substitution was hardly made
there" he smiled. you are abso-
lutely sure the collarette, with that
one exception, has been in no one
else's possession"
Absolutely sure" the widow an.
swered.
May examine the safer" he
asked.
Through a magnifying glass he
studied the steel door of the compart-
ment, after which the widow set the
combination and swung open the safe.
The interior was as bare Of suspicious
marks as the exterior.
"Donnelly and Carson are right to
this extent 1t is an inside job" he
pronounced.
I'VE must ascertain the day Of the
robbery as closely as possible" he
said. 1.-TWO years ago Is too remote
time on which to begin work. un-
dentand that you called In Mr.. Rams
come the other night? Has any other
expert seen the jewels in the last two
years?"
mo other expert. but Mr.. Ranscome
and looked over the collection be-
fore went abroad eighteen months
ago. He saw the collarette at that
time"
Good" flashed Britz. "Of course,
he said nothing as to the Jewels being
paste?"
Nothing" answered Mrs. Mis-
sioner.
Then 1t Is almost certain that the
real jewels were In your safe them"
pronounced Britz. Since then, who
has been with you when you wore the
collarette?"
"Mr. Griswold and Mr.. Sands were
my escorts to the dinner two weeks
ago. They and Miss March also were
my guests at the opera"
Nov, please tell ME exactly, who
was In the room when you put the col
larette on and when you took 1t of
on coming home two weeks ago?"
Britz inquired.
Miss Holcomb was in the room
when opened the combination Of the
safe. I believe the collarette lay on
the table until was fully dressed.
Then Mr.. Sands and Mr.. Griswold ar.
rived, and were shown into the room.
l recall that had difficulty In adjust.
ing the clasp. and Mr.. Griswold snap.
ped 1t shut .,..-.... ......,. ,.......
Were you out of the room for even
moment while the collarette lay on
the table?"
mo-" Mrs. Missioner answered.
did you observe anything suspici
GUS In the movements. actions, or con.
duct of Miss Holcomb that evening p
Nothing"
What occurred after you came
home? Who helped you to undress? p
my maids were asleep" said Mrs
Missioner, "and l called Miss Hol
comb, who occupies the room next to
mine. She helped me take of the jew
els and she saw me place them In the
safe"
"And with the exception of your
self, Miss Holcomb is the only one
who knew the combination of the
safer" Britz flashed.
"Only Miss Holcomb." responded the
widow.