The Elbert County tribune., 1911-09-15
CHAPTER III-contInued.

Donneliy and Carson Investigate.
CHAPTER Iii.-contInued.
ine big man Strengthened abruptly.
Bacchante's heels came down and her
hands fiuttered aloft. The catch In
his voice, characteristic OF him VIXEN
in the presence Of the rich. was brush
ed out Of his throat by burst Of pro-
fessional zeal. He recognized situa-
tlon that enabled him to play inquisi-
tor in home of wealth.
Where were the Jewels stolen
from" 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 partyf"
Mrs. Missioner told him. She did
not mention the Oriental in the next
boz. 1t did not occur to her.
isn't there anybody you can think
or" pursued the big detective, who
could have taken theinf'
Nobody who would" answered
Mrs. Missioner.
did anybody else have the combi-
nation OF the safer
"One." responded Mrs. Missioner.
She answered defensively, like wit
ness under hostile cross-examination.
volunteering nothing. Donnelly SEEM
cd not to hear her. He was examin-
ing 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
Mrs. Missioner's eyebrows went up.
''Yes'm." the detective went on. IAN
inside Job. Who did you say had the
oombinationf"
MY secretary-Miss Holcomb.'
"Oh!" said Donnelly. Carsons lips
rounded In mute repetition.
Sands. impatient OF the detectives
awkward questioning. shook himself
hon-like and went to window. Girls
void swung his foot idly. and smoked
IN shorter measure. Ranscop1e look
cd nervously at the inquisiior. then
swung his gaze back to the Jewel
trays Dorothy listened with wide-
eyed interest.
What do you know about this Miss
Holcomb7" asked Donnelly. squaring
himself az II for trial OF strength
with the widow and turning out his
toes farther than ever.
II have known her many years."
said Mrs. Missioner quietly. adding
with warmth, She is young woman
OF high character"
"Oh. she is. is she?" returned the
sleuth. And how. may ask. ma'am.
do you know that?"
Il say. have known her many
years." said Mrs. Missioner.
Donnelly held whispered consulta-
ton with his mate. Then he asked II
he might question the servants.
Certainly. If you think 1t neces-
sary," assented the widow. But
should warn you that | cannot bring
myself to suspect any of them
Everybody seems to be above sus-
picion." snapped Donnelly. TITS al
ways the way, until we begin to get
on the trail. and then everybody be-
comes suspicious. think I'll question
the servants, ma'am. Shall have
'em in here?"
Mrs Missioner bowed and sent
Biodgett to summon his comrades.
One at time. please" said DON
nelly. The first to enter was the
housekeeper. a staid woman In a
black gown with narrow white ruch-
ing about her withered neck. She
knew nothing of the jewels save that
madam always locked them in the
safe herself, unless Miss Holcomb
was there to do 1t for her.
The answers Of the other servants
were equally straightforward. The
butler. under-but1er. chef, second foot
man., pantry-boy. parlor-maid. cham
ber-maids. and kitchen maid, and the
majestic Blodgett himself were inter
rugated persistently, minutely. dog
Gedly. 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 servants7" asked
the large detective.
.All at present" answered Mrs.
Missioner. MY own maid is away on
leave. oh, yes. there's ALI"
rs Allie the name OF your maid7"
mo, ALI is a man-an Indian"
And what's his job7" This ag-
gressively.
He is courier"
Donnelly was puzzled.
When l travel. he looks after the
transportation and baggage" Mrs.
Missioner explained.
The detective stroked his jaw and
whispered with Carson again.
ssTbfs advance agent OF yours-this