Semi-weekly herald., 1911-09-25

INC bdie ou tnOse TWO nl4ntB, did any
servant enter the room?'
The footman. of course, announced
Mr.. Griswold and Mr.. Sands. re-
member. too that my East Indian
servant brought my new dress"
DO you believe Miss Holcomb is
the thief?" suddenly fired Britz.
Il cannot believe her capable of it,"
she said.
Then II we eliminate her." Britz
retorted. I'VE must look for the thief
among Mr.. Sands. Mr. Griswold, the
footman, and the East Indian servant.
Miss March. OF course. is out Of the
question"
so are Mr.. Sands and Mr.. Girls
wold," came in positive tones from
Mrs. Missioner
Britz made no comment. His eyes
moved restlessly about the room, fall
ing finally in q steady gaze on the
widow.
How long has the footman been
In your employ?" he asked.
More than fifteen years" she re-
sponded promptly.
And the other servant?"
About year He came very high.
ly recommended and do not see how
he possibly could have substituted
the paste necklace for the real one"
Neither do l." agreed Britt did
either Mr.. Sands or Mr.. Griswold ever
have opportunity to pass through
Miss Holcomb's room?"
Not that I am aware Of" replied
Mrs Missioner.
Britz eyed the woman impressively.
We must bear In mind" he said,
that whoever stole the Jewels must
have been in possession of the real
necklace long enough to have a du-
plicate made. Either that. or he must
have been so familiar with every
stone in the setting as to enable him
to have duplicates made from descrip-
tion. The only reasonable supposition
is that the duplicate was made direct
ly from the original. 1t is barely pos
sible, however, that some other means
were employed"
That Is the most puz1lisg feature
of the theft" said Mrs Missioner.
How long have you known Mr.
Sands?" asked Britt
From girlhood."
And Mr.. Griswold?"
About five years"
Both saw the necklace on you fre-
quently?"
Very often"
After several thsuEhtfui moments.
Britz remarked.
"The only one who could have taken
the necklace out of the safe without
your knowledge was Miss Holcomb.
One of the original diamonds was
found in her room. 1t Is absolutely
Gear to me that she is inrocent."
DO you really think so?' the wild
ow asked eagerly.
1T is as certain as that someone
stole the necklace" answered Britt.
Then we must get her out of jail
at once!" exclaimed the widow
I'VE must do nothing of the kind. ="
corrected the detective. We must
allow all suspicion to be directed to-
ward her"
But it is cruel, it is inhuman, to
keep her in prison." protested Mrs.
Missioner.
at is necessary" assured Brity.
my dear madam, don't excite your
self. My laundering colleagues have
done all the harm they can possibly
do to Miss Holcomb Far more i'm.
portant than the recovery of the neck
lace is the establishment of her in
, noccnce in the eyes of the world.
With all the suspicious circumstances
Of this case woven about her, your
mere belief in her innocence will not
clear her. Therefore. you will have
to leave this entire matter in my
hands"
The widow bowed submissively. A
shade OF sorrow crept over her face
as she contemplated the plight Of her
secretary.
May I go to the Jail and assure her
of my belief in herr" she asked.
THAT would be fatal" replied the
detective.
Then what can dol must do
something for her" groaned Mrs. Mis-
sioner.
THE only thing we can do for her
Is to find the real thief" said Britt.
Nibhiy BiNC thC ftuuiCbSCb VI WI
| Sands and Mr.. Griswold."
He wrote the addresses of the two
men on the back of card and left
Britt headed straight for Headquar-
ters and entered the ONCE Of the
Chief He threw himself wearily into
chair with the air OF one vainly
trying to discern glimmer of light
in the enshrouding darkness.
ITS going to be hard work." he
said
81 expected 1t would be when ! put
you on It," the Chief replied.
| Britt recounted the information he
had gathered from Mrs. Missioner
and then walked into his own office
Summoning two subordinates, he di
rected them to go to the Missioner
house and trail the footman and tht
East Indian servant Two other mel
were assigned to shadow Sands ant
Griswold.
That's all can do today" he mur
INJURED.
CHAPTER TX.