The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1911-11-10
Britt Of
HI eadquarters

II have and I haven't. the detec-
tive answered while only one per-
son stole the diamonds, there's been
a whole troop of potential thieves
after the stones. They've been work
ing at cross purposes. with the natural
result that they played unconsciously
into the hands of the one all Of them
trusted"
Fitch and Manning eyed each other
'quizzically. Britt had worked hard
on the case and had succeeded when
success seemed impossible. II he
wished to indulge in slightly enig-
NAUTICAL preamble, surely 1t was not
asking too much to humor him.
Britt gnawed black cigar. unlight-
I'd, and whirled about two or three
times before he took up the thread Of
his recital again.
ITS q long story" he resumed. ut
took lot Of piecing tc put 1t to
gether, but it's as plain now as pic
ture puzzle when all the cut-outs At.
An the first place. Griswold planned
to get the Jewels long time ago-a
couple of years. I fancy. He didn't
content ulIuSeI Will LuSiC piohhih6.
He did a lot Of work while he was
waiting for his opportunity. He
knew the value of the Missioner neck
lace, of course, especially the value
of the big Maharanee diamond that
was its central stone. AS nearly as
can make out his scheme, he hoped to
steal the collarette and dispose OF 1t
months before 1t should be missed by
Mrs. Missioner. The only way to do
that, of course, was to substitute an
imitation for the genuine article.
Naturally, too, the imitation had to be
made without Mrs. Missioner's knowl-
edge, and the man he meant to have
make 1t had to have either the orig
inal as a copy or very accurate
drawing. 1t was beyond all POSSIBLE
ity that Griswold could get the neck
lace into his possession long enough
to have a bogus collarette made. Mrs.
Missioner, in spite of her many mil
lions, and like all other women OF
wealth, guarded her jewels closely.
She may intrust her government
bonds and other negotiable securities
to attorneys or banks, but she keeps
her Jewels under her own eyes. None
Of us knows just how much she
thought of Griswold; but the chances
are that, even II she had been en-
gagged to him. she wouldn't have let
him have possession of the Maharanee
necklace for any length Of time. My
experience is that these rich New
Workers don't believe in throwing
temptation in one another's way
anyhow, not at any risk to them
selves"
your powers Of deduction are truly
marvellous. Britz," said Manning with
a short laugh, in which Britt thought
he heard faint note of mockery.
Now, let's don't do any kidding,
Chief" Britt rejoined with just
shade Of acid in his voice. This is
a pretty serious case. and I've been
up a few nights without any too much
sleep. I'm not on the witness stand
now, recollect, and don't feel as II
I'd got to parcel out my words when
I'm talking to friends" There was
the least little lift of his eyebrows as
he uttered the last word.
Manning laughed again-apologetic
ally this time. and the lieutenant.
once moro unrufled. continued:
$50 Griswold had to make sketches
and diagrams OF the widows necklace.
Even that couldn't have been easy, for
I guess he had to use his pencil whom
Mrs. Missioner wasn't in the room
It isn't likely she gave him many op-
Iportunitiss of being alone with the
towels she priced above all the others
IN her collection. You SOC. when her
husband gave her that necklace and
told her about the Maharanee dia-
story that probably gave the big stone
much greater value in her eyes than
II she'd really known the truth. Wom-
en-" said Britz solemnly. ARE funny.
They are about the funniest things in
this little old world Of ours-particu-
larly when II comes to jewels and
gowns. with the Jewels leading by a
city block"
Fitch. in his capacity A. = lover.
detectives cynical summing up OF
: tho sex. and relieved himself with the
remark:
III women are any funDier than
men, I'd like you to show me how.
Your experience is all very well. lieu
tenant; but I've seen them in their lit
tie white cots In hospitals-both
kinds; and have seen them on the
operating table. and l can tell you
the woman has yet to be born that
can do as many fool stunts as the
average mani" After this burst Of
romance-born frankness he subsidized.
well, We won't quarrel about the
sex. doctor" said Britt. though
must say don't like to hear you get
ting on these sunragette sentiments
Anyway, it's safe to assume Mrs. Mis-
sioner didn't let Curtis Griswold have