The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1911-06-30

THAT is true" said Mrs. Missioner
hurriedly. Miss Holcomb went to
the Battery Trust company for me-"
Much obliged ma am" Donnelly
was learning to show more Difference
to the widow Carson had whispered
TO him something of her social i'm
portance. 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's?" queried the big
detective quickly. ITO have one of
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. 1t
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 world of appeal in those
gray 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 I-I-oh." with a swift
turn to Miss March, Dorothy, Dor
othyl"
To the credit of little Miss March
he 1t remembered she met Elinor's
second appeal with undiminished ten
derness. Mrs. Missioner, too, was
kind, but her gentle No Elinor." was
rot as reassuring as the loving pats
Dorothy squandered on the bent shout
ders of the distressed girl. Sands
swore in his thoughts. His big fingers
bent gold penholder into wavy lines.
Ranscome, with alternate fnger-tips,
traced lines In his palms. Griswold
turned his cigarette round and round
with agile fingers and thumb. B,odg-
etts eyes seemed to lunge at the de-
tectives.
81 guess Miss Holcomb isn't ready
to tell all she knows-yet," said Don
nelly meaningly. while we're wait
ing for her to steady her nerves,
well just have look In her room"
Mrs. Missioner was about to mega
tive the suggestion, but a ance at
E'inor's shaking form stopped her.
She did not reply. and the detectives
walked out of the room In silence. A
lcok from the widow sent Blodge.t
sta 'k'ng in their wake. The footman
Kept his eyes on Donnelly's turned
out tees as If calculating how much
strength was required to seize those
thick ankles with sudden heave.
Not until the central Office men were
at the end of the passage did the Sob
hing secretary start in great agitation
toward the door. On the threshold
she paused and turned slowly till she
faced the group.
"since they are going to search my
the ROOM" she said. in choking
voice, 81 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 on the instant
and together the three women fol-
lowed the detectives into the lift.
Blodgett backed from the car and
stood staring at the detectives through
the rose-tinted grill. A boy in quiet
livery threw the lever and the steel
cage shot upward. The car stopped
at the third floor and the little party
proceeded to a room at the end OF
softly-lighted corridor.
1t was a charming little boudoir
into which Donnelly's spreading feet
and Carson's fiat tread carried the de-
tectives. Mrs. Missioner. Elinor and
Dorothy went only a little way in
and looked on silently. The men
made their search according to their
natures. Carson with moderate indif-
ference and dispatch, Donnelly ex-
haustively. lingeringly. gloatingly.
When the large sleuth's thick fingers
and beady gaze became more than
ordinary intrusive, Mrs. Missioner
seemed about to protest, but each
time she checked herself.
1T is better to let them search
thoroughly" 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 keyring. He
passed It to his mate. and Donnelly's
enjoyment OF the situation increased
by leaps and bounds. No single key
on the tiny ring escaped use of his
hands. He unlocked boxes, dressing
case and other places OF possible con.
cealment His method would have
drawn a derisive smile from Chief OF
Detectives Manning. But Manning
was far downtown in Mulberry street
and could not know the course his
subordinates were pursuing.
From drawer in Elinor's Chippen.