The Donaldsonville chief., 1911-08-26
CHAPTER lIl.-Continued.

hands futtered aloft. The catch IN
hfs voice. characteristic of him when
IN the presence of the rich, was brush
ed out of his throat by burst OF pro
fessional zeal. He recognized s1tua'
ton that enabled him to play inquisi'
cor in a home OF wealth.
Where were the Jewels stolen
erom?" he asked.
II don't know" said Mrs. Missioner
when did you miss them?'
Again the widow recited the incl.
dent of the opera box. ..
who was In the party?"
Mrs Missioner told him. She did
not mention the Oriental In the next
boz. It did not occur to her.
'TsnH there anybody you can think
or" pursued the big detective. who
could have taken them?"
Nobody who would" answered
Mrs Missioner.
"Did anybody else have the combi-
nation of the safer"
"One," responded Mrs. Missioner.
She answered defensively, like a wit
ness under hostile cross-examination,
volunteering nothing Donnelly seem
led not to hear her. He was examin-
fng the safe again. He passed his
,hand over the door and its frame
again, turned the handle that shot the
bolts, noted their strength and
smoothness, turned them back, and
wheeled on Mrs. Missioner abruptly.
There's been no forcing here" he
said sagely. Its an inside job"
hTrs. Missioner's eyebrows went up.
"sYes'm," the detective went on, IAN
inside job. Who did you say had the
conbination?"
my secretary-Miss Holcomb.'
"Oh!" said Donnelly. Carson's lips
rounded in mute repetition.
Sands, impatient of the detectives
awkward questioning. shook himself
llion-like and went to a window Girls
twold swung his foot Idly, and smoked
dn shorter measure Ranscome look
sad neryously at the inquisitor, then
sswung his gaze back to the jewel
trays. Dorothy listened with wide
seyed interest
What do you know about this Miss
5Holcomb?" asked Donnelly, squaring
himself as If for trial of strength
toes farther than ever.
II have known her many years" "
bSaid Mrs. Missioner quietly, adding
with warmth, "She Is young woman
tpf high character
~Oh, she Is, is she?" returned the
sieuth. "And how, may ask. ma'am,
do you know that?"
" say. have known her many
years" said Mrs. Missioner.
Donnet1y held whispered consulta-
ttion with his mate. Then he asked II
She might question the servants.
Certainly, II you think it neces-
esary," assented the widow. But
szhou1d warn you that cannot bring
tmyseR to suspect any of them
Everybody seems to be above sus-
psc1on." snapped Donnelly. TITS al
fways the way, until we begin to get
ION the trail, and then everybody be-
comes suspicious think I'll question
fem in here?''
Mrs. Missioner bowed and sent
BIodgett to summon his comrades.
Zone at a time, please" said DON
nelly. The first to enter was the
saousekeeper, q staid woman In a
Fbsack gown with narrow white ruch-
h1tg about her withered neck. She
knew nothing of the jewels save that
,,nsadarn always locked them In the
ls2fs herself, unless Miss Holcomb
was there to do it for her.
| The answers of the other servants
|were equally straightforward. The
butler, under-butler, Chef second foot
imam, pantry-boy, parIor-maid, cham
ber-maids, and kitchen maid, and the
majestic Blodgett himself were inter
Erogated persistently, minutely, dog
lgedly. even bullyingly, and In the end
the net result of what they had to tell
was zero. That is to say, as far as
Mrs. Missioner and her friends and
.the diamond expert were concerned.
Donnelly thought otherwise. Carson's
mind was receptive blank.
"Are these all the servants?' asked
the large detective.
"Als at present" answered Mrs.
Misssaner. My own maid Is away on
feava. Oh. yes, there's Ali"
rs Allie the name of your maid?"
no, Ali Is a man-an Indian"
"And what's his tob?" This ag-
gregstvely.
'fHe is a courier"
ponne1ly was puzzled.
When / travel, hs looks after the
and baggage Mrs.
Missioner explained.
The detective stroked his jaw and
whispered with Carson again.
"This advance agent of yours-this
AH--where is he?'
~Blodgett,s called tne widow, 'ssend
III lhere4"