The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1911-10-28
CHAPTER xvl.-(continued.)


CHAPTER xV-(continued.)
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
nfficantly at him.
What have you discovered? ne
asked
.That man Fitch is mixed UP IN the
case just as I 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 ana
white" His fingers clasped three or
four letters which he Haunted tempt
angly before the eyes Of the prosecu-
tor. They confirm our suspicion that
Fitch is at the bottom of the whole
ease. Rather, that he's the man high
er up"
Mott gathered the contents OF the
missives In three or four sweeping
sIances as he handed them to Brltz.
He perused them closely, as ii weigh
ing their import while noting their
contents. His imgassive face masked
the emotions they aroused in him
and he returned them to the assistant
district attorney with an air OF ind1f
ference.
THESE letters are conclusive Mot
pronounced.
Conclusive of what?" demanded
Britt
THAT Miss Holcomh was the too
OF her f1ance, and that the two hav
combined to enlist your sympathy.
Il guess it wasn't bad bit of de
tective work to get those letters,
Donnelly smiled.
Il guess not" agreed Carson, an.
ious to justify his partners little GU
burst of self-adulation.
Britt turned to them abrupt
Their fiippant tones irritated him. H
nature revolted at the ill-bred rejoi
ing over the prospective degradatic
OF a woman.
How did you get the letters?"
asked brusquely.
Donnelly, ready to burst with Il
Importance he had gathered, needs
no urging to impart the desired
formation.
II had Doctor Fitch Swallowed fro
The day he appeared at headquarte
70 inquire about Miss Holcomb,
said That's how got on that
was negotiating with a real esta
agent Luckily, the agent was
friend Of mine. and he informed I
that Fitch had purchased and pa
for a site On which to build me
100000 for the ground; and the bull
\-ings and furnishings, learned, are
cost nearly quarter OF a million.
wasn't easy to get the agent to TIL
.a over Fitch's letters, but l told h!
he'd have to produce them befo
the grand Jury under a subpoena,
he handed them over"
Have you tried to learn where
got the money!" Britz demanded
Its plain enough where he got
money. The individual stones of
necklace would bring all the nor
he needed for the deal"
But have you tried to make 8
that he sold the diamonds" Britz I
sisted.
"I'll get all that without M
trouble" was the confident reply
Well. so ahead and get it, B
ordered.
When the two detectives left
room Mott found 1t impossible to
strain his qualification.
81 guess you'll admit you're on
wrong lay?" he teered. You've
wildered yourself with your own z
This Is the sort of stuff I want, >
declared, lingering the lett
you've been led astrey. Now
on the right trail and aceomr
something"
An attendant entered with a c
The prosecutor glanced at it
passed it over to the detective.
Hes an old friend" Mott remar
eve were in college together"
A dark flush suffused Britt cos
nance and deepenei his yellow
complexion to a dull gray. he
a look Of anxious interrogation
Mott. as Il doubtful Of the wisdol