Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-08-17

must be IN his possession still. unless
he dropped them while he was running
away"
I'VE will soon find out" said the
leading man. Jim, go through him!"
Jim only shrugged those fullback
shoulders when the burglar ATTEMPTED
to petrify him with look, and his
search through the prisoners pockets
was thorough. Mrs. Delaroche gasped
her delight when from the captive's
coat the porter drew forth a heavy sill.
yer casket, and held It toward her.
rs that your property, madam ?"
asked the house detective.
Yes, yes" said Mrs. Delaroche, Gag.
erly. "Oh. dear, am so glad he did
not escape with It. What would"
She checked herself hastily.
"You must come to me in the morn
ing, MIMI for a reward" she add
ed in tones so sweetly suggestive Of a
golden guerdon that the detectives
eyes glistened.
Thank you, madam, that Is not nee
essary." he replied perfunctorily.
got"
He and the porter explored the cap
tive's pockets further, but found moth
ing more in the way of loot. Mrs.
Delaroche looked hastily through her
desk and dressing table and told the
man apparently nothing else was miss
Ing.
hn LOFT
guess there Is nothing else for us to
do but to turn this burglar over to the
police. May we use your telephone,
madam
Mrs. Delaroche gladly nodded assent
and the sleuth continued:
Jim, call up Headquarters, and
have a couple of men sent here to take
this fellow away"
The effect of that command upon
the prisoner startled everyone. Not
only did 1t cause him to break his sui
len silence, but it drew from him
words that made the house detective
involuntarily loose his hold on the man
and step back. staring. Jin's Jaw fell,
and Mrs. Delaroche gazed at the fell
low, wide-eyed.
Il can save you that trouble" said
the burglar. you need not telephone
for the Central Office men. am Lieu
tenant Detective Britt Of Headuuar-
ters! And these" and he nodded to-
ward the silver casfet, ARE the miss.
ing Missioner Diamonds that were
stolen from the richest woman in
America"
Turning to Mrs. Delaroche abruptly,
he said
Madam, how do you come to be In
possession of these Jewels"
All the painting loveliness Of Mrs.
Dearoche shivered as the sharp oues-
tion bored its way to her inner con-
seriousness. 1t was now her turn to be
silent. She looked at the Headquar-
ters man as II he heft in his hand her
life. liberty, and whatever chance re-
manned to her of happiness. CLEAN
Of appeal glowed in her beautiful eyes
for a moment Plainly. II she did not
speak It was not FOR lack Of will. Her
words were as frozen as the normal
condition Of her thoughts. She put
her hands to her breast and gazed at
the Central Office man as piteously as
a woman Of her Junoesque charms
could be expected to do. The ingenue
role was impossible to Mrs Delaroche :;
but had 1t not been So undoubtedly
she would have assumed 1t in this emer-
gency.
Answer me, madam: this calls for
an immediate explanation You told
this man these jewels belonged to you.
How does It come YOU have the dla-
monds everybody in New York knows
as the Maharanee necklace OF Mrs
Doris Missioner"
Mrs. Delaroche still struggled family
for speech Her lids quivered: her eyes
alternately closed and then were fixed
upon the detective, and a tremor be.
ginning at the crown Of her adorable
head, moved in waves to her perfect
feet. She sank into chair and let her
head fall upon her arms as they
stretched inertly across a little table
There was no smallest streak of pity
In the look Detective Britt bent upon
her. He had dealt with women Of her
type before many times, he told him
self, and now that he was SO near the
heart Of the great Missioner mystery
1t was not his purpose to be influenced
IN the slightest degree by the distress
OF Diana, to say nothing Of an Aphro
d1te. Dry sobs choked the woman
Her eyes strained at Their tendons sc
painfully that tears would have been 6
divine relief. Whether she was grievec
or frightened was not so apparent as
that she was sorely distressed. Min
utes passed before she lifted her face
and once more looked at the detective
The house sleuth and his porter hat
retreated yard or more. and th(
erstwhile pajama squad, now an as
founded force Of Cossacks and Bedouin'
In a varied array of dressing gowns
and bathrobes, looked and listened II
hushed expectancy.
Come, Mrs. Delaroche,' said Britt
sternly. You really must not vast
e ~
--0 SANTE\