The Delta independent., 1911-09-08
Britt of
Headquarters
cn---1sht 1910 by Moffat, Yard 4 Company

And yet, the prosecutor Ielt there
was something strangely lacking in
the structure, something that made II
appear hollow and unreal. No other
reasonable explanation of the disap-
pearance Of Mrs Missioner's neck
lace offered itself, and still 1t was
hard to conceive Miss Ho!comb as the
thief Mott knew that the same I'M
certainty in the minds of the jurors
would inevitably result in verdict of
acquittal. The benefit of any reason
able doubt as to her guilt must go to
her, and he realized he had yet to
eliminate that last slim possibility of
IA verdict favorable to the prisoner.
We're 1t an ordinary larceny case he
would be content to offer the testi-
imony at hand and leave the verdict
to the conscience Of the jurors. But
this trial would fill thousands Of news
paper columns. The press of the ell
tire country was on the alert for 1t.
1t meant much to a struggling assist
ant to obtain a conviction in SO ia.
nous a case. To lose. he feared,
The entrance of Britz brought tho
prosecutor out Of his absorption.
Just the man l wanted to see," he
greeted.
And I'm equally glad to find you
in." the detective returned.
I've got the evidence down pat. 4"
Mott responded. ut seems complete;
and yet, somehow, I feel that 1t is
not entirely convincing. l want to get
something to clinch 1t. It's a pretty
tough proposition at best to get a con.
vict.on on circumstantial evidence
when tho defendant Is a woman of
good appearance and don't want u
slip up on this case. We haven't got
much time left The case is on the
calendar for next Monday"
That's what | came to see you
about" informed Britt. 81 want to
get you to adjourn the trial a month.
New facts?" anxiously inquired the
prosecutor.
Yes"
who do you think did the trick?'
suddenly questioned Mott.
Sands, Griswold or the Indian serv
ant" came from the detectives hest
tant lips.
The prosecutors hands went above
his head in despairing gesture.
rs that as far as you've arrived
Three suspects. and you've no idea
which one you want! What sort Of
weak stuff is in your possession thai
you don't know whom you're after?'
The circle is narrowing very quick
~" Britt observed I'm the next few
days I'll know who committed thu
robbery, how 1t was committed ant
where the jewels were taken. But
have got to have the necessary time.
"All right" agreed the prosecutor
He called a clerk and directed hin
to inform Miss Holcomb's lawyer tina
the case had been withdrawn from thu
calendar for a month.
The detective was reaching for hi
hat when Donnelly and Carson burs
into the room. Donnelly's face wa
flushed with the news of a great dis
covery. Carson was smiling approx
ingly on his partner.
We've got the motive for tn
crime" the two men shouted in on
breath.
Britt assumed an attitude of cage
interest The prosecutor looked sic
nificantly at him.
What have you discovered?"
asked.
That man Fitch is mixed up IN tn
case just as | always thought" Dol
nelly Informed him. "She stole thos
diamonds for his sake. It's anothe
case Of the girl turning thief to hel
her lover"
We've run the whole thing dow
and We have 1t hero in black an
white" His fingers clasped three {
four letters which he Haunted temp
ingly before the eyes Of tho prosec
tor. They confirm our suspicion tn;
Fitch is at this bottom of the who