The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1911-09-16

Il am more than anxious to supply
you with all the information in my
possession" she said. TT is meager
enough. and almost despair of ever
seeing my jewels again"
Madam, no case is hopeless" Britz
soothed. "The immense value of the
diamonds will make their recovery all
the easier. 1 feel safe in surmising
that none of them, or only very few
of them, have been disposed of as yet.
Now, do you recall the last time you
wore the collarette? 2"
1T was week ago, at dinner in
my home" she replied.
"And when before that?"
About two weeks before, at
dance in the home of friend"
How long have you owaad the col
1arette?"
about ten years"
1T was gift from your husband,
believer" Britt asked
'It was" the widow answered.
Where was 1t purchased?"
'The Maharanee was bought in In
tiia The other stones were gathered
from time to time, and were strung
together in the form of the collarette
at Tiffany's."
THAT was ten years ago?"
TT was"
Since then, has the collarette been
out of your possession st any timer"
II recall only one instance" she re-
piled
when was that?" he asked.
About two years ago. ! sent II to
Tifany's for resetting.''
"The substitution was hardly made
there" he smiled. GU are abso-
sute1y sure the collarette, with that
one exception, has been in no one
else's possession
absolutely sure" the widow an
swered.
MAY examine the safer" he
asked
Through a magnifying glass he
studied the steel door of the compart-
ment, after which the widow set the
combination and swung open the safe.
L
marks as the exterior.
"Donnelly and Carson are right to
this extent It is an inside job" he
pronounced.
1--WE must ascertain the day Of the
robbery as closely as possible" he
said. 1.-TWO years ago is too remote
a time on which to begin work. I un-
derstand that you called in Mr.. Rams
come the other night? Has any other
expert seen the jewels in the last two
years?"
mo other expert, but Mr.. Ranscome
and looked over the collection be-
fore / went abroad eighteen months
ago. He saw the collarette at that
time"
"Good!' flashed Britz. @Of course,
he said nothing as to the jewels being
paste?"
Nothing" answered Mrs. Mis-
sioner
Then 1t is almost certain that the
real jewels were in your safe then, :
pronounced Britt. "Since then, who
has been with you when you wore the
collarette?'
"Mr. Griswold and Mr.. Sands were
my escorts to the dinner two weeks
ago. They and Miss March also were
my guests at the opera.
Nov, please tell me exactly, who
was in the room when you put the col
larette on and when you took 1t OH
on coming home two weeks ago.!
Britz inquired.
Miss Holcomb was In the room
when l opened the combination OF the
safe. | believe the collarette lay on
the table until l was fully dressed.
Then Mr.. Sands and MI. GrisWold ar
rived, and were shown into the room.
| | recall that I had difficulty In ADJUST
ing the clasp, and Mr. GrisWold snap
ped it shut"
Were you out Of the room for even
a moment while the collarette lay on
the table?''
mo" Mrs. Missioner answered
did you observe anything susplc1-
GUS in the movements, actions or COL
duct of Miss Holcomb that evenings.
Nothing"
What occurred after you came
home? Who helped you to undress!
my maids were asleep said Mrs,
Missioner, "and I called Miss Hol-
| comb, who occupies the room next 10
mine. She helped me take off the Jew
els and she saw ne place them IN the
safe"
"And with the exception OF your
self, Miss Holcomb ais the oniy one one
who knew the o1Ybinatfon OF ehs
| Afe?" Brltz flashed.