The Delta independent., 1911-07-14

seemed to emit n mysterious. mex
plicable current that circled around
one and drew one closer within Its
constantly narrowing circumference.
The shade of melancholy that gloomed
his nature was not hidden by the
mask of superb Indifference that rest
ed on his well-defined features, with
their browning breadth OF lightly fur
rowed forehead. 1t revealed itself
with the slightest twitch of his facial
muscles as well as In the dropping
line of his mouth. BY some peculi-
arity Of the blood. his complexion ran
a yellow ivory. never varying its color
under the stress of the strongest emo
tons 1t required superhuman cour-
age to meet the steady gaze of his
eyes and lie to him. Though some
what abrupt of manner and speech.
there was something engaging about
him, some subtle magic Of personality
that brought one under the thrall Of
his mind Almost without the utter
ance of syllable, he could bend weak
natures to his will. Only the strong
est persons were able to resist his
domination.
He was one of those strange beings
who live mostly within themselves,
yet there were times when he felt
a desolation of heart. a longing for
companionship. for intimate associa.
ton with his fellow beings. On such
occasions, his life seemed to lack
something of the beauty of other lives,
as If it had been cast in more SOM
Der shade. He could feel a wave Of
melancholy coming on him. and to
avoid its depressing influence, he turn,
ed his mind resolutely to his work,
feasting on the crime at hand as on
some tempting dish. Without knowing
why, the Missioner diamond robbery
held for him fascination more pow.
erful than that called up by any other
crime within his memory. He recog
nized surface indications of deep
cunning in the conception and execu'
ton of the theft. His experienced
eye saw that no ignorant or vulgar
mind had engineered the substitution
of those marvellous diamonds. The
pursuit of the criminal fairly sparkled
with exciting possibilities. and Britz
felt the thrill of the chase even before
he started the pursuit
Britt paced nervously up and down
his room. revolving the incidents sur
rounding the discovery of the theft
in his mind. but he was unable to pick
a cew on which to work Nor did the
occurrences in which Donnelly and
Carson participated furnish any prom
Using material.
"I'll begin at the very bottom" he
murmured, "and work gradually to the
top" He sauntered out of the house,
walking with the air of one trying to
lengthen moments OF reflection. In
front of the Missioner home he
stopped, surveying the massive stone
walls, as If trying to figure the posi-
bility of nocturnal intrusion. The
front door was of heavy bronze and
was swung open by the butler in re-
Spouse to the ringing OF the bell.
rs Mrs. Missioner at homer" asked
Britt.
The butler eyed him suspiciously.
who wishes to see herr" he asked
Lieutenant Britt. OF Headquarters.
After a long delay, he was ushered
Into the same room In which the Incl.
dents preceding Miss Holcomb's ar.
rest had occurred.
II have come to inquire more mi.
nutely into the disappearance OF the
Jewels" he explained
Mrs. Missioner's face showed lines
of deep suffering. Heavy rings en-.
circled her eyes, deep burrows SCARED
her forehead.
Il am more than anxious to supply
you with all the information In my
possession" she said. 1T Is meager
enough. and I 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 I feel safe In surmising
that none Of them. or only a very few
OF them. have been disposed of as yet.
Now. do you recall the last time you
wore the collarette?"
1T was a 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 owned the col.
larette2"
about ten years"
1T was gift from your husband, /
believer" Britt asked.
1T was" the widow answered.
where was 1t purchaser"
The Maharanee was bought in In.
dia. The other stones we're gathered
from time to time. and were strung
together in the form of the collaretts
at Tiffany's."
THAT was ten years ago?"
'It was"
'Since then. has the collarette been
out Of your possession at any timer
Il recall only one instance" she re
piled.