The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1911-10-06

If Mrs. Missioner were the only wom-
an in the world, as she really is. so
far as he is concerned. You don't
know Bruxton Sands the way | do. He
may be short on conversation, but
he's long on honor He plays the
game right out on the gridiron with
out any monkey business on the side
lines, and you can Just bank on that!
Britt raised his glass and drank
slowly. meditatively. until the ice
chilled his nose Then he sat the
tumbler firmly down on the bar, faced
Fitch. and said with an air Of finality:
"If that's the case, Griswolds the
man! He may have had assistance
from Blodgett, but l doubt 1t. He's
too foxy to trust his neck to a serv-
ant. As for All, I thought he might
have turned the trick but he didn't.
because II he had, he and all the rest
Of that Calcutta bunch would be well
on their way toward their heather
temples by this time. There is now
only Mr. Curtis Griswold to consider"
Fitch looked at him with a per-
picked air. He had his own thoughts
in regard to the identity of the thief.
but he recognized the detectives SUI
perior ability In solving the mystery
and, being a scientist, he had an open
mind
What causes you to suspect him?"
he asked
I've had my eyes on that young
man for some time" Britt said.
There were two or three things con-
nected with the arrest Of Miss Hol-
comb that didn't please me a little bit.
l didn't like the satisfaction he show
ed when suspicion was directed to-
ward her"
did he seem pleased?" inquired
Fitch.
More than pleased-he seemed re-
lieved," answered the detective.
Maybe Donnelly and Carson did
some real work. after all, without
knowing it. If they hadn't arrested
Miss Holcomb, Griswold mightn't have
shown his hand so easily"
Have you any other evidence?"
asked the doctor. He appeared to be
gratiied by the trend of the detect
ives thoughts.
Several things" said Britt. Ono
Of our Wall Street men tells me half
a dozen inquiries about Griswold have
been sent to the financial agencies
lately. l had that end worked up. and
l found out Griswold had been bump
ed by bear raid"
Hurt much?"
Pretty badly. He tried hard to
sell block Of suburban real estate
soon after that"
These things are only straws. how
ever" said the doctor. "Of course.
well have to have much more sub
stantial evidence before we can do
anything"
Well for one thing" returned
Britt. II expect to know in a few
hours just where the diamonds are.
At any rate. how they were taken out
Of the city, If they are not In New
York. I've got a hundred men work
ing the hotels to find out. and II you'll
come down to Headquarters with me
in a little while you can see the re-
suit"
The detective stopped short in his
words as Curtis Griswold entered the
bar. The clubman went to the cigar
counter. lighted a cigarette, and by
the impatient gesture with which he
snatched 1t from his lips and threw
1t to the floor. he betrayed the fact
that he had applied the fame to the
cork tip. His manner was nervous
his face slightly drawn, and his hand
trembled as he took another cigarette
from the case and once more pulled
at 1t in his staccato fashion. He did
cot see Britt and Fitch, as they were
at the other end of the bar. The de-
tective's back was turned toward him,
while the doctors face was partly hid
den by the Headquarters mans head.
Fitch looked over Births shoulder at
Griswold. and Britt himself watched
the clubman's reflection in mirror
Get me a messenger" Griswold
said to the bartender, and as the man
pulled the crank of a call box, the
clubman took card from his pocket
and wrote a few lines hastily upon 1t.
Then he called for an envelope, and
when the messenger came, he handed
1t to him with a bank note, with few
words spoken in a low tone. The
messenger gone, Griswold called for
brandy-and-soda, gulped 1t down In a
way that showed his state of nervous
excitement and, still without seeing
the doctor or the detective, hurried
out of the barroom.
Britt gripped the Doctors arm.
go after that boy!" he said. Find
out where he is going, and join me at
Headquarters. Make 1t quick. doc!"
Fitch fastened in pursuit of the
messenger boy. Britt walked with
quick strides to the subway. where he
boarded a local for Blocker street.
The physician's pursuit OF the dis
trict messenger who had carried tho
pota from Griawold eDded at the