The Delta independent., 1911-07-14

quarters" the detective explained. Il
am in charge of the active work on
this case. 1 want your help. You can
be of great service to Miss Holcomb"
"How?" quickly asked DR.. Fitch.
by following my ORDERS" flashed
Britt.
What are your orders?" asked the
doctor
1T is absolutely necessary that all
suspicion be directed toward her. No
effort must be made at the present
time to clear her."
What" exclaimed DIR. Fitch. Per
NIT my fiancee to suffer the tortures
of this prison and live under the stig-
ma of this terrible accusation"
ut is necessary" assured Britt
THE two detectives who arrested
her seem to be convinced OF her
guilt" Fitch said angrily. They in
tiicted tortures on her that might
have crushed a stronger woman; she
told me as best she could what took
place at the inquisition in Police
Headquarters"
Very WELL" said Britt. st am
working independently, regardless of
anything Donnelly and Carson, the
two men who made the arrest, may
do. They Numbered grievously when
they arrested the young woman. We
must overcome that blunder, but the
time is not ripe for her release II
she leaves the Tombs, 1t must be with
her name cleared of suspicion
DR.. Fitch returned to the prison and
was permitted to see the prisoner IL
the little reception room on the ground
floor of the women's wing. Her law.
yer had left instructions that the
physician be allowed to consult with
his fiancee at any time. On his first
visit. he had found her distraught
hardly able to tell a coherent story
His call had cheering effect on her,
however, and she entered the recep
ton room with a firmer step.
Il hope you have brought good
news" she called.
81 have just talked with Lieutenant
Britt, who is in charge of your case"
he replied. He has assured me he
will do everything to prove your in
nocence and find the real criminal
but he wants you to remain here until
you can leave with your name entire
ly cleared"
You believe me, don't your" she
murmured.
All those who know you must be
lieve In you" he answered. The yer,
innocence of your nature is sufficien,
reply to the accusation against you
AS he fastened down the steps OF
the prison, he again met Britt. The
two men walked to Broadway and UP
that thoroughfare to Twenty-third
Street. When they parted, Britt knew
the life history of Miss Holcomb
She had been born In good circum.
stances, and was a graduate of Smith
College. All her life, she had been
reared to the belief that her future
was well provided for. AS the only
child of a Boston banker. she lived in
an environment of tranquil ease that
seemed her permanent heritage ig
life. Her father and mother died
within a year of each other. during
the stress Of financial panic. When
the estate came to be settled, It was
found insufficient to meet the out
standing obligations of the father.
Left penniless. amid the luxuries of
her birth, she found employment as
a governess, and two years before the
discovery of the substituted paste
Jewels. she was engaged by Mrs. Mis-
sioner as secretary.
Fitch met Miss Holcomb In Boston,
and their friendship was renewed in
New York. Their engagement was an.
nounced only a month before her ar.
rest. Britt. trying to square the cir
cumstances surrounding her arrest
with the conclusion Of guilt, decided
that If she took the jewels. 1t must
have been In a sudden temptation
born Of the luxury Of her past
But, on more mature reflection, he
concluded that her birth. her breeding,
all the training of her life placed her
above any such temptation: and when
he entered his home to study the case
in the quiet of his library, he was pos
sessed of the strong conviction that
Miss Holcomb was guiltless of the
charge entered against her on the rec
ords of the Court