Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-06-29

sioner," Dopnelly persisted. Some.
body suspected in every case. Think
a moment. Have to suspect before
you convict, you know. Never heard
-hvh!-of a case without suspects
eh?"
Tho "eh" was meant to he javeln
hurled straight at the widows inner
consciousness. 1t fell short.
There Is no one to be suspected
nc one can suspect" she said.
Feet at right angles, Bacchante
dancing desperately as the fob rose
and fell, the large man from the Cen.
trail Office moved toward the safe.
Mrs. Missioner shuddcred at thought
of the peril to her jewels from his
plate arlnor soles. Her imploring eye
sweep brought ready response from
Sands and Griswold, and In seconds
fraction they were piling the trays
on chairs and tables. Ranscome, help
ing handled the morocco cases with
loving touch.
Donnelly stopped short at sight c
the gems in the trays. An interrogc.
tive snort vibrated somewhere inside
him, but found no oral expression. He
passed on to the safe. With master
full grasp, he swung the great door to
and fro.
We'll soon know" he said reassur.
ingly, who to-huh!-yes who to
suspect CARSON"
The echo crossed the room with
whispering tread Both detectives be-
gan an examination Of the door. Eyes
close to the daintily tinted steel, they
dragged their combined gaze along Its
front from top to bottom. from side
to side. Then they shifted their eyes
to the thick edge of the door. and
their scrutiny bored It's way past bolt
after bolt until 1t switched to the
inner panel. That done, they exam
ir@d the rectangle into which the big
door fitted as Thoroughly
The big man Strengthened abruptly.
Bacchante's heels came down and her
hands fiuttered aloft The catch In
his 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 situa-
ton that enabled him to play inquisi-
tor in a home of wealth.
Where were the Jewels stolen
FROM" he asked.
81 don't know" said Mrs. Missioner.
When did you miss thcm?"
Again the widow recited the incl
dent of the opera box.
"UhO was IN tho Dortv9"
Mrs. Missioner told him. She did
not mention the Oriental in the next
box. It did not occur to her.
Isn't there anybody you can think
Of" pursued the big detective, who
could have taken thcm?"
Nobody who would" answered
Mrs. Missioner.
ibid anybody else have The combi-
nation of the safe?"
One" responded Mrs. Missioner.
She answered defensively, like a wit
ness under hostile cross examination,
volunteering nothing. DonHelly seem
ed 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
smootLncss. turned them back, and
wheeled on Mrs. Missioner abruptly.
"Thcre's been no forcing here" he
said s ge.y. It's an inside job"
Mrs Missioner's eyebrows went up.
"Yes'm," the detective went on, an
inside Job. Who did you say had the
eombination?"
my secretary-Miss Holcomb.'
"Oh!" said Donnelly. Carson's lips
rounded in mute repetition.
Sands, impatient Of the detectives
awkward questioning, shook himself
Iior-l!ke and went to a window. Girls
void swung his foot idly and smoked
In shorter measure. Ranscome look
ed nervously at the inQuisitor. then
swung his gaze back to the jewel
trays. Dorothy listened with wide
eyed interest.
What do you know about this Miss
Holcomb2" asked Donnelly. squaring
himself as II for trial of strength
with the widow and turning out his
toes farther than ever
Il have known her many years, y
said Mrs. Missioner quietly. adding
with warmth, She is a young woman
of high character"
"Oh, she is, Ia she?" returned the
sleuth. And how. may I 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 It neces'
cary" 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 gel
On the trail. and then everybody be
comes suspicious. think I'll question
the servants. ma'am. Shall l have
em in here7"
Mrs. Missioner bowed and sen
Blodgett to summon his comrades.
"One at q time. please" said Don
nelly. The first to enter was thu
housekeeper, staid woman In {
black gown with narrow white ruch
Ing about her withered neck. Sh'
knew nothing OF the jewels save tina
madam always locked them In thu
safe herself. unless Miss Holcoml
was there to do It for her.
Tho an,mor. 80 Tho nthar caravan