Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-07-13

possession, she said. ut Is meager
enough, and I almost despair of ever
seeing my jewels again"
Madam, no case is hopeless" Britt
soothed. THE immense value of the
diamonds will make their recovery all
the easier I feel safe in surmising
that none of them. or only very few
OF them, have been disposed of as yet.
Now. do you recall the last time you
wore the collarette?"
ut was a week ago, at dinner in
my home" she replied.
And when before that?"
About two weeks before, at a
dance in the home Of friend"
How long have you owned the col.
larette?"
About ten years"
TT was a gift from your husband
believer" Britt asked.
"It was" the widow answered.
Where was It purchased"
The Maharanee was bought in In
dia. The other stones were gathered
together in the form of the collaretto
at Tiffany's."
That was ten years ago."
1T was
"Since then, has the collarette been
out of your possession at any time?"
Il recall only one Instance" she re-
piled.
When was that" he asked.
About two years ago. sent 1t to
Tiffany's for resetting."
THE substitution was hardly made
there" he smiled You are abso-
lutely sure the collarette, with that
one exception. has been in no one
else's possession"
Absolutely sure" the widow an
swered
May examine the safe?" he
asked.
Through magnifying glass he
studied the steel door of the compart.
ment, after which the widow set the
combination and swung open the safe.
The interior was as bare of suspicious
marks as the exterior
"Donnelly and Carson are right to
pronounced
I'VE must ascertain the day Of the
robbery as closely as possible" he
said. Two years ago is too remote
a time on which to begin work. l un-
derstand that you called In Mr. Rams
come the other night? Has any other
expert seen the jewels in the last TWO
years."
NO other expert, but Mr.. Ranscome
and | looked over the collection be-
fore | went abroad. eighteen months
ago. He saw the collarette at that
time"
Good" flashed Britt. of course,
he said nothing as to the jewels being
paste?"
Nothing" answered Mrs. Mis-.
sioner.
Then 1T Is almost certain that the
real jewels were in your safe them
pronounced Britt. Since then, who
has been with you when you wore the
collarette?"
Mr.. Griswold and Mr. Sands were
my escorts to the dinner two weeks
ago. They and Miss March also were
my guests at the opera"
Now. please tell me exactly, who
was In the room when you put the col
larette on and when you took 1t off
on coming home two weeks ago."
Britz inquired.
Miss Holcomb was in the room
when | opened the combination of the
safe. | believe the collarette lay on
the table until l was fully dressed.
Then Mr.. Sands and Mr. Griswold ar.
rived, and were shown into the room.
| recall that had difficulty in adjust
ing the clasp. and Mr.. Griswold snap.
ped it shut"
Were you out of the room for even
a moment while the collarette lay on
the table,"
NO" Mrs Missioner answered.
Did you observe anything SUSPECT
GUS in the movements. actions, or con-
duct of Miss Holcomb that evening""
Nothing"
What occurred after you came
home? Who helped you to undress?"
My maids were asleep" said Mrs.
Missioner, and l called Miss Hol-
comb, who occupies the room next to
mine. She helped me take off the lew.
els and she saw me place them in the
safe"
And with the exception of your
self. Miss Holcomb is the only one
who knew the combination of tho
safe?" Britt flashed
only Miss Holcomb," responded the
widow.
On the night of the opera, who was
with you when you put on the collar.
ette?"
Miss Holcomb Mr.. Griswold Mr..
Sands. and Miss March" the widow
informed him.
Did any of those present help you
place 1t about your neck?"
mo. Mr. Sands had taken the col.
larette from the table and was look
Ing at 1t. took it from him and
fastened 1t myself"
After you took the collarette from
the safe on those two nights, did any
servant enter the room?"
"The footman, OF course. announced
Mr. Griswold and Mr.. Sands. re.
member, too, that my East Indian
servant brought my new dress"
DO you believe Miss Holcomb is
the thief? suddenly fired Britt.