The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-18


the men not engaged on old work re-
ceived their assignments OF new
cases AS abruptly as he had entered,
the head of the Bureau left the room
and retired to his private Office. Then
he summoned DonneIly and Carson.
Takes II pretty bad, eh?" he asked.
Like all the swell ones when
they're nabbed the first time" an
swered Carson.
Had to call the doctor twice dur
ing the night. the matron tells me-"
Informed Donnelly.
did she make any statement on
the way to Headquarters? inquired
! the Chief
Nothing but Mysteries" Carson an
swered
"And she's in no condition to be
questioned now" added Donnelly.
Anyone been inquiring for herr"
the Chief suddenly snapped
Yes" flashed back Donnelly. His
eyes lit with a crafty glow. Some
| guy who says he's doctor and en-
gagged to marry her has been hang.
ing around here all morning. Wants
to know how he can get her out.
Looks as If he might be mixed up in
It, so I'm having him shadowed"
"GoodW commented the Chief IF
any lawyer calls, tell him she's in no
condition to be seen. We don't want
anyone to see her until we've ques-
toned her"
1t was late in the afternoon before
| Miss Holcomb was escorted into the
inquisitorial chamber. She had fallen
into a ftful slumber on the rude iron
bed that projected from the wall OF
her cell, when Donnelly and Carson
opened the grated door and called her
out Of her sleep. She gave a startled
gasp when she saw them, convulsive
shudder racked her frame. A sudden
influx Of painful memories overwhelm
ed her with a pltiful sense of helpless
ness as she dragged herself to the Of
fice Of the Chief.
With a weak show of courage, she
eyed Manning resolutely. and then
sank into a soft leather chair close to
his desk. Donnelly and Carson oc-
cupied seats at her elbow.
What did you do with those stones?"
blurted the Chief.
Her lips framed reply. but it died
without utterance.
Come, comel" he cried impatient
| ly. I'VE don't want any acting here.
| know you're only a tool in this mat.
ter. We've got the principal under
arrest and I'm giving you a chance to
save yourself. You turn States evi-
dence against him and I'll see that no
harm comes to you. He's the fellow
we want to land Now tell me just
what you did with the jewels"
In the midst Of this outburst, door
opened silently and sharp.featured
smooth-shaven man OF middle age en-
tered and seated himself In an OBJ
scure corner of the room His form
seemed to merge into the shadow Of
the walls as he dropped noiselessly
into his chair. Miss Holcomb did not
see him enter. Her increasing terror
gave her a fictitious energy and she
lifted her head with a sharp jerk
II didn't steal the Jewels" she. said
II had nothing TO do with their dlsap
pearance" Nvu, t...O
The mocking laughter OF three deer
voices sounded in the room.
| Does II Welt" chucltled Donnelly
TOO bad she ain't an actress,
Joined Carson.
| The Chiefs beady eyes narrowed on
her as II he would read her innermost
thoughts.
There's no use trying to lie to me- b
he snarled. 81 know who's got the
diamonds. The man who hired you to
steal them is locked up now. He says
he didn't know they were stolen"
who says that?" she interrupted.
Donnelly and Carson nudged each
other In boisterous glee.
She wants to know who says IT."
piped the former.
"Ain't she the slick one!" laughed
his partner.
The Chiefs face hardened until a
menace seemed to lurk In every one
OF it's deep-cut lines.
Nov, you know who says IT," he
informed her. II don't have to men
tion any names. It's simply question
of you going to jail or OF sending him
to jail, don't take any stock in what
he says. He can't tell Lac he didn't
know you stole the jewels. | amt
as easy as all that! Now, I'm giving
you q chance TO make full eonfes-
sion and save yourself VIII you con-
fess?" His tone carried the weight
OF a threat, but her unresponsive mind
was unable to grasp It's significance.
She stared blankly before her, as II
-. 11-zT=.-1-~