The Elbert County tribune., 1911-12-01

That was all. Whether that "ali"
was much or little. Britt. offhand. was
not prepared to say. The use of Girls
wold's given name at the beginning
Of the note apparently meant a good
deal. But who was Millicent? In the
course Of his probing OF the Missioner
diamond mystery. Britz had canvassed
the complete visiting list of everyone
who was In the opera box on the night
when the falsity of the Maharanee
diamond was discovered He had had
compiled a social register of everyone
interested In the case-everyone that
Mrs. Missioner. Sands. Griswold. Miss
Holcomb. Miss March, and the Swami
knew. In all that long roster there
was no one named "Millicent." Neither.
for that matter, was there a MIL
dred." There the signature was. TOO
clear to admit of any mistake. The
writing was excellent. and while 1t did
not go to the extreme of the current
fashion in chirography. 1t was what
Britt called in his vivid vernacular
classy"
Ever seen that fist before?" asked
the detective as he handed the note to
Sands.
The millionaire shook his head.
While 1t was true. Britz reflected. that
the big man was known as silent"
Sands in Wall Street society, he wac
certainly moro economical Of words
than anyone he had ever known in his
life. Aloud. he continued:
Are you sure you have never seen
any writing at all like that before"
Another shake Of the head was
Sands only concession to the de-
detectives right to question him. He
gave the note back to the Headquar-
ters man, who returned to the circle
of light under the incandescent lamp
and studied 1t again Meanwhile.
Sands went on with his search OF the
second Oriental He was not as clever
In his movements as Britt, and when
he tried to conceal something, he sig
nally failed. For the detective, though
his eyes seemingly were fastened on
the note addressed to Griswold, saw
the millionaire take something out Of
the OrientaPs tunio and then slip 1t
into his waistcoat pocket.
Something else. eh?" asked Britz.
Sands nodded
Mind letting me see what 1t is?"
Sands shook his head slowly, de-
cisively.
Whats the objection?"
1T is not anything that can possibly
interest you." returned the million
aire.
How do you know that. Mr..
Sands?" asked the detective.
II do know It," said Sands emphat-
ically.
We'll. don't know about that"
Britz returned. II think I'm the best
Judge OF what interests me: and, as l
have played a pretty active part in
this little incident, 1t seems to me the
least you can do is to crafty my curl
osity."
We'll. | will not" was Sands de-
fiant answer. And while we are on
the subject. Lieutenant Britz, let me
say l should like to understand the
purpose OF your visit to my rooms"
"Oh. you would. would your"
snapped Britz.
Il certainly should" Sands replied.
Il come home to find you peeping
through 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 l am entitled to
know the why and the wherefore"
Il rather think you are, Mr.. Sands"
said Britz, "and don't mind telling
you l came here to see you privately,
and arrived Just In time to see these
gentlemen drop to that fire escape and
come in by that window. After that
dexterity with which they ransacked
you chiffonier. 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 deep interest in
your housekeeping arrangements?"
Maybe you will do a little more ex-
planning Lieutenant Britz." said the
millionaire You will observe that
when / said these fellows had no con-
nection with you. qualified the asser-
tom"
"oh. that was very good OF you."
said Britt.
Sands continued.
II 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 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 man who is an inmate
of the State Hospital for the Insane
on Wards Island?"
II Britz expected to startle Sands In