The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1911-11-04

deal, But who was Millicent? In the
course of his probing Of the Missioner
diamond mystery, Britt had canvassed
the complete visiting list OF everyone
who was in the opera box on the night
| when the falsity of the Maharanee
diamond was discovered. He had had
compiled social register of everyone
interested in the case-everyone that
| Mrs. Missioner, Sands, Griswo1d Miss
Holcomb, Miss March, and the Swami
knew In all that long roster there
was no one named "Millicent." Neither,
for that matter, was there Mil
dred" There the signature was, too
clear to admit of any mistake. The
writing was excellent, and while 1t did
not go to the extreme of the current
| fashion In chirography, it was what
Britt called in his vivid vernacular
| CLASSY"
Ever seen that fist before?" asked
the detective as he handed the note to
| Sands.
| The millionaire shook his head.
While it was true, Britz reflected, that
! the big man was known as Silent
Sands in Wall Street society, he was
certainly more economical Of words
than anyone he had ever known in his
life. Aloud. he continued:
Are you sure you have never seen
any writing at all like that before?'
Another shake of Re head was
| Sands only concession to the de-
detectives right to question him. He
gave the note back to the Headquar-
| tiers man, who returned to the circle
of light under the incandescent lamp
| and studied it again. Meanwhile,
| Sands went on with his search of the
second Oriental He was not as clever
in his movements as Britt, and when
he tried to conceal something, he sig
nally failed For the detective, though
his eyes seemingly we're fastened on
| the note addressed to Griswold, saw
the millionaire take something out OF
| the OrientaPs tunic and then slip 1t
| into his waisteoat pocket.
Something else, eh?" asked Britt.
Sands nodded.
Mind letting, me sae what it ISL
Sands shook his head slowly, de
cisiyely.
Whats the objection?"
ut is not anything that can possibly
interest you," returned the million.
aire.
| How do you know that, Mr.
Sands?" asked the detective.
Il do know it" said Sands emphat
ically.
We'll, I don't know about that,
Britt returned II think I'm the best
Judge Of what interests me; and, as
have played a pretty active part in
this little incident, it seems to me the
least you can do Is to crafty my curl
osity'
We'll, will not" was Sands de
fiant answer. And wlEle we are OF
the subject, Lieutenant BritZ, let me
say I should like to understand the
purpose Of your visit to my rooms
"Oh, you would, would your
snapped Britt.
SC1 laAuIy SAou1O, CduuS ICp11Cu
Il come home to find you peeping
through hole In my portiere, and
two Fasteners, with whom apparent
ly you have had nothing to do, going
through my desk and other belong
ings. | rather think / am entitled tt
know the why and the wherefore"
I rather think you are, Mr.. Sands
said Britt, land I don't mind telling
you came here to see you privately
and arrived just in time to see These
gentlemen drop to that fire escape an6
come in by that window. After thai
: | had the pleasure of witnessing the
dexterity with which they ransackee
you chiffonier, your desk, your bed
side table, your bed, your chairs, YOU
rugs, ard everything else in the room
Maybe you will explain to me the rea
son they have such deep interest II
your housekeeping arrangements?'
Maybe you will do little more ex
planning Lieutenant Britz," said tht
millionaire. you will observe tina
when said these fellows had no con
nection with you, qualified the asse1
tion?"
"Oh, that was very good of you,
said Britt.
Sands continued.
I should like to know right her,
and now just how far this qualifica
ton extends"
Well, Mr.. Sands" answered the de
tective as he relighted his ciga
and disposed himself in the most com
Portable Of attitudes in the chair be
side tie desk, there are good man.
things we may like to explain.
should like, for instance, to know hoy
your visiting card came to be in tn
possession of a man who Is an inmat
OF the State Hospital for the Insan
on Wards Island?"
If Britt expected to startle Sands IL
to any physical expression Of guilt
he was disappointed. The million
aires muscles were as infexible a
his determination not to satisfy tn
detectives inquisitiyeness in regar
to that which he had taken from tn
Hindoo.