Graham guardian., 1911-12-22
CHAPTER xvI.-(contlnusd.)

We've got the motive for the
crime" the two men shouted In one
breath.
Britz assumed an attitude Of eager
interest. The prosecutor looked sig
nificantly at him.
What have you discovered? he
asked.
That man Fitch is mixed up In the
case just as always thought" DON
nelly informed him. "She stole those
diamonds for his sake. It's another
case OF the girl turning thief to help
her lover"
We've run the whole thing down
and we have 1t here in black and
white" His fingers clasped three or
four letters which he Haunted tempt
ingly before the eyes of tho prosecu-
tor. They confirm our suspicion that
Fitch II at the bottom of the whole
case. Rather. that he's the man high
er up.'"
Mott gathered the contents of the
missives in three or four sweeping
glances al he handed them to Britx.
He perused them closely. az II weigh
Ing their import while noting their
contents. His impassive face masked
the emotions they aroused in him.
and he returned them to the assistant
district attorney with an air Of indif-
ference.
These letters are conclusive" Mott
pronounced.
Conclusive Of what?" demanded
Britz.
THAT Miss Holcomb was the tool
uf her flance, and that the two have
ymbined to enlist your sympathy"
I II guess It wasn't q bad bit Of de-
fective work to get those letters"
Donnelly smiled.
Il guess not" agreed Carson, anx.
ious to justify his partners little out
burst of self-adulation.
Britx turned to them abruptly.
Their fiippant tones irritated him. His
nature revolted at the ill-bred reJoic-
ing over the prospective degradation
Of woman.
How did you get the lettersr he
asked brusquely.
Donnelly, ready to burst with the
Importance he had gathered, needed
no urging TO impart the desired in.
formation.
Il had Doctor Fitch shadowed from
the day he appeared at headquarters
to inquire about Miss Holcomb," he
said. That's how I got on that he
was negotiating with real estate
agent. Luckily, the agent v--s
friend Of mine. and be informed me
that Fitch had purchased and paid
for q site on which to build mod
ern sanitarium. Yes, sir, he put up
$4,000 for the ground; and the build
ings and furnishings, l learned, are to
cost nearly quarter Of million. It
wasn't easy to get the agent to turn
over Fitch's letters, but told him
he'd have to produce them before
the grand jury under subpoena, so
he handed them over"
Have you tried to learn where he
got the money!" Britz demanded.
ITS plain enough where he got the
money. The individual stones Of the
necklace would bring all the money
he needed for the deal"
But have you tried to make sure
that he sold the diamonds?" Britz per-
sisted.
'T'll get all that without much
trouble" was the confident reply.
We'll. 60 ahead and get It," Britz
ordered.
When the two detectives left the
room Mott found It impossible to re-
strain his qualification.
II guess you'll admit you're on the
wrong lay?" he jeered. You've be-
wildered yourself with your own zeal.
This La the sort of stun want" he
declared, lingering the letters.
you've been led astray. Now get
on the right trail and accomplish
something"
An attendant entered with card.
The prosecutor glanced at 1t and
passed II over to the detective.
Hes an old friend" Mott remarked.
I'VE were In college together"
A dark flush suffused Britz' counte.
nance and deepened his yellow ivory
complexion to dull gray He fixed
q look of anxious interrogation ca
Moot a. II doubtful Of the wisdom Of