The Huttig news., 1911-12-16
SYNOPSIS.

slonefs diamond necklace breaking and
scattering the string of rare and costly
gems all over the floor Curtis Griswold
and BruAton Sands. two society men,
both OF whom love Mrs Missioner gather
up some of the diamonds, but the gem
OF the collection. the celebrated Mahar-
anee, is missing Grswoid steps on the
apparent missing diamond and it brushes
under his heel. A Hindoo comes from an
adjoining box, and picking up a fake of
the crushed gem pronounees Il a fraud.
not the genuine Maharanee. but-paste.
CHAPTER 1.-THE entire party proceed
10 the elegant mansion of Mrs. Missioner,
Where she takes them to a room having
safe containing other diamonds. She
afterwards sends FOR a Mr.. Rascome. an
expert, who pronounces the stones all
copies. substitutions. of the original gems
Much obliged, maams Douneliy
was learning to show more Difference
to the widow Carson had whispered
to him something of her social i'm
portanee. Yes, Carson. although he
was only neutral tint In the human
color scheme, knew a few things.
WAS that the day you took the dia.
monds to Tiffany's9" queried the big
detective quickly. ITO have one of
the small stones made tighter, you
know
Miss Holcomb's disdain had given
place to dull wonder Where had the
man got his INSTRUMENTATION Could
1t be he really thought-but. no. It
was impossible She felt as If some
thing suffocating was closing about
her. She lifted one hand to her throat
to force back the sobs that would
come
81 am completely confused by your
Questions" she stammered II do
not know how to answer. What you
say is so strange" She looked at the
others with a world of appeal in those
ray eyes. Astonishment sympathy,
affection, cynicism. mutely replied.
Stretching both hands toward Mrs.
Missioner, advancing with faitering
steps. the victim of the detectives
persecution cried: Mrs. Missioner.
is 1t possible you can think-do you
even imagine l-I-oh," with a swift
turn to Miss March, Dorothy, Dor
othy!"
To the credit Of Ettle Miss March
be it remembered she met Eliner's
eeond appeal with undininished ten
derness. Mrs, Missioner, too, was
kind, but her gentle NO. Elinor,' was
not as reassuring as the loving pats
Dorothy squandered on the bent shoul-
ders of the distressed girl Sands
swore in his thoughts. His big fingers
rent gold penholder into wavy lines.
Ranseome, with alternate fngertips.
traced lines in his palms. Griswold
turned his cigarette round and round
with agile fingers and thumb. Blodg-
ett's eyes seemed to lunge at the de.
tectives.
81 guess Miss Ho,comb isn't ready
to tell all she knows-yet," said Don
nelly meaningly. while we're wait
lug for her to steady her nerves,
Wen just have look in her ROOM
Mrs. Missioner was about to mega
tive the suggestion, but a g ance at
Elinor's shaking form stopped her.
She did not reply, and the detectives
walked out of the room in silence. A
look from the widow sent Blodge.t
stalking in their wake. The footman
kept his eyes on Donnelly's turned
out toes as If calculating how much
strength was required to seize those
thick ankles with a sudden heave.
Not until the central Office men were
at the end of the passage did the Sob
bing secretary start in great agitation
toward the door. On the threshold
she paused and turned slowly till she
faced the group.
Since they are goirg to search my
the ROOM she said, in a choking
voice, 7 wish you would all come
there with me- II feel that-won't
you all come-please?
The men hung back, but Doris and
Dorothy Joined her OH the instant
and together the three women fol
lowed the detectives into the lift,
Blodgett backed from the car ard
stood staring at the detectives through
the rose-tinted grill A boy In quiet
livery threw the ever and the steel
cage shot upward. The CIR stopped
at the third floor and the little party
proceeded to a room at the end of
softly-lighted corridor
It was charming little toudoir
into which Dopnelly's spreading feet
and Carsons fat tread carried the de
teetiyes Mrs Missioner Fiinor and
Dorothy went only little way in
and leeted on siiert'y The men
made their search according to their
natures, Carson with moderate indif-
ference and Dispatch, Donnely ex-
haustivelv. llngerinslv. e'oatire'y
When the large slenth's thick fineers
and beady gaze became more then
ordinary intrusive Mrs. Missioner
seemed about 10 protest. but each
time she checked herself
1T is better to let them search
thoroushlv." said Elinor "Since this
Is considered necessary wish 1t to
be made complete Please do not IN
terfere with them" She handed to
Carson a small silver kevring He
passed 1t to his mate. and Donne'ly's
enjoyment OF the situation Increased
by leans and bounds No single key
on the tiny ring escaped use of his
hands. He unlocked boxes. a dressing
case ard other places Of possible CON
cealnent. His method would have