Graham guardian., 1911-12-22


time pressing button which sounded
buzzer in the reception room. Eyes
he's one of the figures In this comedy
Of errors you're playing, but I'll mo-
inform him that, In your eyes, he's
one of the possible thieves. You may
go ahead suspecting whom you viii
without interference on my part"
The swinging door opened, and Girls
void sauntered into the room. The
cordial smile he bestowed on Mot
faded to superciliousness when he be
held Britz. He glanced at the de
tective as II resentful Of his presence
II presume you can guess why J
called" he said Familiarity to the pros
ecutor.
ut requires no mind reader te
fathom the object Of your VISIT" Mott
laughed back.
"Mrs. Missioner is on the verge oi
nervous prostration." Griswold In
formed. "She asked me to inquire
about the progress Of the case. Dc
you know. she can't get herself to be
lieve Elinor guilty. Sands Is inclined
to agree with her to the extent of Of
fering to go on Miss Holcomb's bond =
why doesn't he do so?" inquired
the prosecutor.
because Mrs. Missioner objects,
Griswold replied. she believes that
the swiftest way to clear Elinor Is to
permit her to remain in the Tombs.
confess / cannot see the force Of her
argument, but she is evidently acting
under what she believes to be COM
petent advice"
Britz cushioned his head against
the back of the, chair In the attitude
of an Indifferent listener to the con-
versation between the other men. II
he had any views on the subject under
he gave no audible indica-
ton OF them.
"This man Sands" suddenly queried
Mott. seems to be an accepted suitor
Of Mrs. Missioner. doesn't her"
A wave Of red mounted to Girls
wold's forehead. An angry twitch Of
the corners Of his mouth revealed
that the prosecutor had touched ten
der spot.
"He seems to divide his time be-
tween pursuing Mrs. Missioner and
dropping his inherited millions in
Wall street." Griswold replied. II un.
derstand he has been hard hit In the
street. and that his fortune Is dwind.
ling at rapid rate"
'Is that so?" came q meaning query
from Britz. He exchanged significant
glances with Mott.
DO you happen to know anything Of
his financial affairs?" asked the prose-
cutor. The question threw Griswold
Into a deep study, out Of which he
came gradually by slow stages OF men
tai effort.
Il know he's been hard hit." he
drawled. "And I know also that he's
trying to conceal his reduced circum-
stances from Mrs. Missioner. In fact,
believe he needs money with which
10 carry his stocks"
Conscious OF the shaft he had thrust
and of the vague insinuation his
words carried. Griswold stopped to
watch the effect. Britz stared va
,antly at the ceiling, as II unconscious
If the hint conveyed by Griswold.
Mott seemed interested.
you don't think 1t possible he also
8 implicated In the theft?" he asked.
II should regard such supposition
Is absurd" Griswold declared. But"
,e added. hastily. i've had no expert
.nce with criminals"
With sly look at the detective
3riswold arose and left the room. AS
he door swung behind him Britz
lsked:
Mott. what do you know about
Nothing that could be of any serv-
ce to you in hunting down the Mis-
Iioner thief"
How long has he been in business
,ere?"
about ten or fifteen years should
Iay"
Hes been engaged In various en-
erprises since leaving college, hasn't
,e? Most Of the ventures proved
ailures?"
"You seem to know something OF
lis business AFFAIRS" Mott fred back.
"At present he's secretary of the
roquois Trust company" Britz con-
inued, disregarding the prosecutors
'emark. DO you know what salary
,e Is receiving?"
He gets $4,000 a year." the attor-
ley informed him.
"His fortune would be materially
improved II he married Mrs. Mis-
sioner."
"And you believe the theft Of her
ewels would help his suit?" the pros
scutor asked sarcastically.
The detective vouchsafed no reply.
With characteristic abruptness. he
switched to Sands.
IF Sands has lost heavily In Wall
street we ought to look into 1t. He
had equal opportunity with Griswold
% steal the collarette." he said.
II have no objection" Mott smiled.
BY the way" he suddenly asked,
have you obtained any trace of the
truth as to who manufactured the
II have found the manufacturer"
Britz replied calmly.
What" The prosecutor bounded
out Of his chair as II released by