Semi-weekly herald., 1911-09-25

pursuit Of the criminal fairly sparkled
with exciting possibilities, and Britx
felt the thrill of the chase even before
ne started the pursuit
Britz 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
clew on which to work. Nor did the
occurrences in which Donnelly and
Carson participated furnish any prom
Using material
"fll 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-
biltty OF nocturnal intrusion. The
front door was Of heavy bronze and
was swung open by the butler In re-
sponse 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 Britz, of Headquarters. !"
After long delay, he was ushered
into the same room in which the Incl.
dents preceding Miss Holcombs ar
rest had occurred.
Il have come to inquire more mi
nutely into the disappearance of the
jewels" he explained.
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 | 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. 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 a
dance in the home of friend"
How long have you owned the col
larette?"
About ten years"
1T was gift from your husband, l
believer" Britz asked.
1T was" the widow answered.
Where was 1t purchased?"
THE Maharanee was bought In In.
dia The other stones were gathered
from time to time, and were strung
together in the form of the collarette
at Tifany's."
THAT was ten years ago?"
1T was
Since then. has the collarette been
out of your possession at any timer
Il recall only one instance" she re-
piled.
When was that" he asked
About two years ago. ] sent 1t to
Tiffany's for resetting"
THE substitution was hardly made
:n.re," he smiled You are abso
one exception, has been in no one
eize's possession"
Absolutely sure" the widow au
swered
May examine the safe7" he
asked.
Through magnifying glass he
studied the steel door of the compart
ment. after which the widow set the
combination and swung open the safe
The interior was as bare of suspicious
marks as the exterior.
"Donnelly and Carson are right To
this extent. 1t is an inside job" he
pronounced.
I'VE must ascertain the day of the
robbery as closely as possible" he
said Two years ago is too remote
time on which to begin work. I un
derstand that you called in Mr. Rams
come the other night? Has any other
expert seen the jewels In the last tive
years."
No other expert, but Mr.. Ranscome
fore l went abroad eighteen months
ago. He saw the collarette at that
time"
"Good!" flashed Britz. "Of course
he said nothing as to the jewels being
paste?"
Nothing" answered Mrs. Mis-
sioner.
Then 1t is almost certain that the
real jewels were In your safe then,
pronounced Britt. Since then, who
has been with you when you wore the
collarette?"
Mr.. Griswold and Mr.. Sands were
my escorts to the dinner two weeks
ago. They and Miss March also wer,
my guests at the opera"
Now. please tell me exactly, who
was in the room when you put the col
iarette on and when you took It of
on coming home two weeks ago7'
Brltz inquired.
Miss Holcomb was in the room
when | opened the combination of the
safe. believe the collarette lay OF
.he table until was fully dressed
Then Mr.. Sands and Mr.. Griswold ar
rived. and were shown into the room
] recall that I had difficulty In adjust
ing the clasp, and Mr.. Griswold snap
ped It shut"
Were you out of the room for eveI