The Delta independent., 1911-12-08

cred her. II any of the big managers
saw such an example of her art as
this, he'd engage her on the spot"
Il don't understand you, Mr.. Britz,"
said Mrs Missioner inquiringly.
Mrs. Delaroche understands me,
Mrs. Missioner" returned the sleuth
she knows exactly what l mean
Don't you, Mrs. Delaroche?"
MOI" said the woman from the
Renaissance so sharply the word was
like a poniard thrust.
MOP" retorted the detective. How
truly unfortunate! Surely you are
mistaken, madam; surely you recall
what happened in Paris? 1t can't be
you've forgotten how you obtained
possession of the Missioner necklace
the one with the Maharanee dia
mond, you know"
She chung to silence as to a rock
of refuge Britt. still rocking lightly
on his heels. raised finger warning
ly and looked at her with that same
sarcastic smile.
You know as well as I do, Mrs
Delaroche," he went on, that Curtis
Griswold didn't steal the Maharanee
necklace. Whatever other crimes are
upon him. he is guiltless Of that-in
act. at any rate"
The woman kept her eyes on the
floor, her face partly turned away
All the others stared at Britt in
amazement not excepting the Chief
of the Detective Bureau.
Lets run through the pages of
history, Mrs. Delaroche," continued
the lieutenant Personal history. of
course-the history of clever little
Miss Vincent, one of the brightest
young women in Paris. You remem-
Der her when she was an art student
there, getting along as we'll as she
could on q New England income In
the Latin, Quarter. A bright, clever
little girl she was. to be sure, and 1t
was too bad she had such a hard
struggle to realize her artistic
dreams!"
All his hearers listened attentively
Mrs. Delaroche. in spite Of resolute
Efforts to appear Indifferent, full as
faithfully as the others.
Prince Kananda moved forward W.
I'll he stood within several feet OF
DeldIOCuc ohC III hCo hOA ACoA
slightly and saw him. A glance OF
mutual recognition passed between
them. but SO quickly that 1t was un-
observed by the others. The Prince
eyed her steadily. with malignant
gaze, as of a man who has been
tricked wild fear leaped into her
eyes and she moved away, edginS
closer to Britt.
1T isn't to be wondered at" said
Britt alphabetically, when you re-
call the many hardships Miss VIM
cent endured-when you remember
on how many mornings she had to
trudge to Der copying work In the
Louvre without even the poor con-
ISOLATION of a French breakfast, that
she permitted young Hindoo gentle
man to spend a little money upon
her. 1t wasn't exactly in line with
New England conventionality. OF
course. but the sristocratic fastener
had been introduced to her formally
enough. his behavior was always re.
spectful, and she-well, she was very
lonely and very blue and often very
hungry"
Mrs. Delaroche bit her lip and
turned on Britt a look of such re-
sentiment that Mrs. Missioner and
Miss Holcomb shrank away little.
And 1t needn't astonish u.s." Britt
continued, that when the polished
Oriental brought about her acquaint
ance with an American multi-million
aire she accepted friendly little cour
tesies from the rich man, even go
In far To xxyffh hin, in co
eral of the luxurious cafes for which
Paris is famous. The American wal
a man from her own country-a big
good-natured. whole-souled chap, thor
| oughly satisfied with his fortune anC
himself.
Therefore, why shouldn't the lone
ly, starving Miss Vincent enjoy ga,
little dinners and. perhaps. gayer lit
tie suppers with him? She was al
ways chaperoned. BY whom? BY thu
Hindoo, of course. Besides, the mil
iionaires wife knew there was dasl
of romance In her husband that mad
him delight in these excursions int
the realm Of the unusual"
Mrs. Delaroche sat with those bril-
liant eyes OF hers bent vigorously OF
the rug. The other women glance,
at her curiously, Manning with susp!
cion, Kananda. with a glitter In hi
eyes that seemed to command q
lence. But she did not look at tn
Prince.
However" ran the detectives NOR
ologue. you'll have to admit. Mr.:
Delaroche, that It wasn't exactl
grateful on Miss Vincent's part t
listen to the Hindoo when he offere
her a large bride to-shall we say
steal a certain rare and very beaut
J full diamond from the multimillioI
aire."
Mrs. Delaroche's breath came In