Marble Hill press. (Marbel [sic] Hill, Mo.) 1881-1923, 1911-12-21

was much or little. BritL. oiihand. vas
not prepared TO say. The use 81 Gris
wold's given name At the beginning
OF the note apparently meant q good
deal. But who was Mlllicentl In the
course OF his probing OF the Missioner
diamond mystery. BrltI had canyAssed
the complete visiting list OF everyone
who was In the opera box on the night
when the falsity OF the MahAranee
diamond was discovered. lie had had
compiled a social register OF everyone
Interested In the everyone that
Mrs, Missioner. Sands. Griswold Miss
Holeomb. Miss March. and the Swami
knew. In all that long roster there
was no one named "Millcent" Neither
for that matter, was there NH,
dred" There the signature was, too
clear TO admit OF any mistake The
writing was excellent. ana while Il did
not 20 to the extreme OF the current
fashion in chirography, II VAS what
BritS called in bis vivid vernacular
classy"
Ever seen that Gst before" asked
the detective rs he handed the note TO
Sands
The millionaire shook his head
| While Il was true. BritE reflected. that
\ The big man was known as silent"
Sands in Wall Street society. he was
/ certainly more economical OF words
I than anyone be had ever known In bis
life Aloud he continued.
} Are YOU sure YOU have never seen
any writing at all like that before"
/ Another shake OF the head vas
Sands only concession 20 the de
detectives right 10 question him he
gave the note back to the Hcadquar.
tiers man, who returned TO the circle
OF light under the incandesccni lamp
and studied II again. Meanwhile.
Sands went on With his search o; the
second Oriental lie was not AZ clever
In his movements AS Britl. and when
he J,et 10 conceal something. he sig.
nally failed For the detective. though
his eyes seemingly were fastened on
the note addressed to GrisVod, saw
the millionaire take something out OF
the 0rientals tunic and then slip II
into his waistcoat pocket
Something else. EN-" asked Britt
Sands nodded
Mind letting me see what II is7'
Sands shook his head slowly, de
cisively
What's the objection7"
1T 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 1t" said Sands emphat.
ically.
Well. ! don't know about that,
BritI returned. Il think I'm the best
Judge Of what interests me; and. as
have played q pretty active part in
this little incident. It seems TO me the
least you can do 10 to crafty my curt
osity."
Well. will not" was Sands de
aant answer. And while We are on
the subject. Lieutenant Britz. let me
say | should like to understand the
purpose OF your visit TO my rooms"
"Oh. you would. would you1
snapped Britt.
i certainly should. Sands replied
u come homo to find you peeping
through a 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 TO
know the why and the wherefore"
Il rather think you are. Mr. Sands"
said Britt, and | don't mind telling
you came here to see you privately.
and arrived Just In time to see these
gentlemen drop 10 that fire escape and
come in by that window. After that
had the pleasure OF Witnessing the
dexterity with which they ransacked
you chiifonier, your desk. your bed
side table. your bed. your chairs, your
rugs. and everything else In the room
Maybe you will explain to me the rea.
son they have such a deep interest In
your housekeeping arrangements"
Maybe you viii do little more ex.
planning Leutenan, Britz." said the
millionaire. You will observe that
when said these fellows had no con.
necuon with you. qualified the asser-
TOM"
"oh. that was very good OF you"
said Brita.
Sands continued.
Il should like to know right here
and now just how far this Qualifica,
ton extends."
Well. Mr.. Sands" answered the de-
tective as he relighted his cigar
and disposed himself In the most com.
Portable of attitudes In the chair be-
side the desk, there are a good many
things We may like to explain.
should like. for instance. to know how
your visiting card came to be in the
possession OF a man who Is an inmate
OF the State Hospital for the Insane
on Wards Island?"
II Britt expected TO startle Sands In.
to any physical expression of guilt.
he was disappointed. The million
aires muscles were as inflexible as
his determination not to satisfy the