Semi-weekly herald., 1911-09-04

ruption. but he did not address Elinor
by her first name again. But Carson
seemed as perturbed as he had been
under the malignant gaze of the mo-
uonless Blodgett.
What were you doing In Maiden
Lane the other day?" asked Donnelly,
sharply.
Il was not In Maiden Lane.
haven't been downtown In weeks. The
last time I went south OF the shop.
ping district was more than a month
ago"
That is true" said Mrs. Missioner
hurriedly. Miss Holcomb went to
the Battery Trust company for mo"
Much obliged. maam" DonneIiy
was learning to show more Difference
to the widow. Carson had whispered
to him something OF her social i'm.
portance Yes. Carson, although he
was only a neutral tint In the human
color scheme. knew few things.
Was that the day you took the dia.
monds to Tiffany's?" queried the big
detective quickly. ITO ha, one OF
the small stones made tighter. you
know"
Miss Holcomb's disdain had given
place to dull wonder. Where had the
man got his misinformation? Could
1t be he really thought-but. no. 1t
was impossible. She felt as II some
thing suffocating was closing about
her. She lifted one hand to her throa.
to force back the sobs that would
come.
Il am completely confused by your
questions" she stammered. II do
not know how to answer What you
say is so strange" She looked at the
others with a world of appeal in those
gray eyes. Astonishment. sympathy.
affection. cynicism, mutely replied.
Stretching both hands toward Mrs.
Missioner. advancing with faftering
steps. the victim OF the detectives
is 1t possible you can think-do you
even imagine I-I-oh." with swift
turn to Miss March. Dorothy. Dor
othy,"
To the credit of little Miss March
be 1t remembered she met Elinor's
second appeal with undiminished ten
derness. Mrs. Missioner. too. was
kind. but her gentle NO, Elinor." was
not as reassuring as the loving pats
Dorothy squandered on the bent shoul-
ders OF the distressed girl. Sands
swore in his thoughts. His big fingers
bent a gold penholder into wavy lines.
Ranscome, with alternate fnger-tips,
traced lines in his palms. Griswold
turned his cigarette round and round
with agile fingers and thumb. Blodg-
ctts eyes seemed to lunge at the de-
tectives
81 guess Miss Hoicomb isn't ready
to tell all she knows--yet," said Dom
nelly meaningly. while we're wait
Ing for her to steady her nerves,
well Just have look In her ROOM
Mrs. Missioner was about to mega
tive the suggestion, but n glance at
Elinor's shaking form stopped her.
She did not reply. and the detectives
walked out of the room In silence. A
look from the widow sent Blodgett
stalking In their wake. The footman
kept his eyes on Donnelly's turned
out toes as If calculating how much
strength was required to seize those
thick ankles with sudden heave
Not until the central office men were
at the end OF the passage did the sob
bling secretary start in great agitation
she paused and turned slowly till she
faced the group.
Since they are going to search my
the room" she said, In n choking
voice, 81 wish you would all come
there with me. IL feel that-wont
you all come-please"
The men hung back. but Doris and
Dorothy Joined her on the instant
and together the three women fol.
lowed the detectives into the lift.
Blodgett backed from the car and
stood staring at the detectives through
the rose-tinted grill. boy In quiet
livery threw the lever and the steel
cage shot upward. The car stopped
at the third floor and the little party
proceeded to room at the end Of
a softly-lighted corridor.
It was charming little boudoir
into which Donnelly's spreading feet
and Carson's fiat tread carried the de
tectives Mrs. Missioner, Elinor and
Dorothy went only little way in
and looked on silently The men
made their search according to their
natures, Carson with moderate indif-
ference and dispatch, Donnelly ex-
baustively, lingeringly, gloatingly.
When the large sleuth's thick fingers
and beady gaze became more than
ordinary Intrusive. Mrs. Missioner
seemed about to protest. but each
time she checked herself.
1T Is better to let them search
thoroughly" said Elinor "Since this
is considered necessary, wish 1t to
be made complete. Please do not in
terfere with them" She handed to
Carson a small silver keyring He
passed It to his mate, and Donnelly's
enjoyment Of the situation increased
by leaps and bounds. No single key
on the tiny ring escaped use OF his
hands. He unlocked boxes. dressing
case and other places of possible con-
cealment. His method would have
drawn a derisive smile from Chief OF
Detectives Manning. But Manning
was far downtown In Mulberry street.
and could not know the course his