Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1911-07-28
CHAPTER discontinued.

The big man Strengthened abruptly.
Bacchante's heels came down and her
hands futtered aloft. The catch In
his voice, characteristic of him when
In the presence of the rich, was brush
ed out OF his throat by burst of pro-
fessional zeal. He recognized a situa-
ton that enabled him to play inquisi-
tor In home of wealth.
Where were the Jewels stolen
from?" he asked
Il don't know" said Mrs. Missioner.
When did you miss them?"
Again the widow recited the incl
dent of the opera box
Who was in the party?"
Mrs. Missioner told him. She did
not mention the Oriental In the next
box It did not occur to her.
Isn't there anybody you can think
of" pursued the big detective, who
could have taken them?"
Nobody who would" answered
Mrs. Missioner.
Did anybody else have the comb
nation of the safe?"
"One," responded Mrs. Missioner.
She answered defensively like a wit
ness under hostile cross-examination,
volunteering nothing. Donnelly seem
ed not to hear her He was examin-
ing the safe again. He passed his
hand over the door and its frame
again, turned the handle that shot the
bolts, noted their strength and
smoothness, turned them back, and
wheeled on Mrs. Missioner abruptly.
There's been no forcing here" he
said sagely. ITS an inside job"
Mrs. Missioner's eyebrows went up.
"Yes'm," the detective went on, IAN
Inside job. Who did you say had the
combinations"
my secretary-Miss Holcomb.
OH" said Donnelly. Carson's lips
rounded in mute repetition.
Sands, impatient of the detectives
awkward questioning, shook himself
lion-like and went to a window. Girls,
void swung his foot idly, and smoked
In shorter measure. Ranscome look
ed nervously at the inquisitor, then
swung his gaze back to the jewel
trays. Dorothy listened with wide
eyed interest.
What do you know about this Miss
iHolcomb?" asked Donnelly, squaring
himself as if for a trial of strength
with the widow and turning out his
toes farther than ever.
II have known her many years,
said Mrs. Missioner quietly. adding
with warmth, she is a young woman
of high character"
"Oh, she is. is she?" returned the
sleuth. And how, may l ask, ma'am,
do you know that?"
Il say, l have known her many
years." said Mrs. Missioner.
Donnelly held whispered consulta-
ton with his mate. Then he asked II
he might question the servants.
Certainly, If you think it neces-
sary," assented the widow. But |
should warn you that l cannot bring
myself to suspect any of them"
Everybody seems TO be above sus-
plcion," snapped Donnelly Its al
ways the way. until we begin to get
on the trail, and then everybody be-
comes suspicious l think I'll question
the servants. ma'am- Shall l have
'em in here?"
Mrs. Missioner bowed and sent
Blodgett to summon his comrades.
"One at a time, please" said Don
nelly. The first to enter was the
housekeeper, a staid woman in
black gown with narrow white ruch-
ing about her withered neck. She
knew nothing of the jewels save that
madam always locked them in the
safe herself, unless Miss Holcomb
was there to do it for her.
The answers of the other servants
were equally straightforward. The
butler. under-butler, chef. second foot
man, pantry-boy, parlor-maid, cham
:ber-maids. and kitchen maid, and the
majestic Blodgett himself were inter
rogated persistently. minuteiy, dog
gedly, even bullyingly, and in the END
the net result Of what they had to tell
was zero. That is to say, as far as
Mrs. Missioner and her friends and
the diamond expert were concerned.
fDonnelly thought otherwise. Carson's
mind was a receptive blank.
Are these all the servants?" asked
the large detective.
"All at present" answered Mrs.
Missioner. MY own maid is away on
leave. Oh. yes, there's All"
'Ts Allie the name of your mafd?"
mo, Ali is a man-an Indian"
"And what's his job?" This az
excessively.
He is courier"
Donnelly was puzzled.
When | travel, he looks after the
and baggage" Mrs.
Missioner explained.
The detective stroked his jaw and
whispered with Carson again.
This advance agent of yours-this
Ali-where is he?"
'Blodgett." called the widow, send