Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-01-05
CHAPTER XVI.
Mutual Exclamation MS.

Mutual EXCLAMATION MS.
It was breakfast time, and Britt and
Fitch after their exciting night were
hungry enough to eat a Hindoo. but
they did not stop to show considera-
ton to their inner men.
AS he expected, Britt found Girls
void and Mrs. Delaroche in the big
reception room of the Detective Blu
reau with the detectives who had ar
rested them waiting po~nderously near
the door, and an interested desk lieu
tenant looked up from his work to
lear the denouement Of what Police
Headquarters had come to regard as
the "star" case Of the year.
Britt walked slowly to his W
room, where the scowling Orientals
were penned in a orner, while h
chief of the detectives and his two
subordinates were taking well-earned
rest in the lieutenant's easy-cha1rs.
Britt talked to Manning in whispers,
then went to the telephone and called
Mrs. M~issioner's house.
Good morning, Mrs. Missioner" he
said over the wire. This is Lieuten-
dAI blASN-DllIL, y I1ChuQuoA
called you up to tell you We had al.
rested the jewel thieves and-beg par
don? What did you say-your jewels
have been returned to you? That's
strange. / have one Of them in my
pocket now. How's that? You say you
have all your jewels? Then whose is
this-the Maharanee? Pardon me, Mrs.
Missioner, I don't quite understand.
We have the thieves here and the big
gest Of the diamonds. What did you
say-you don't want the thieves prose
cuted? Why, really, Mrs. Missioner
yes, of course-yes, I am talking from
Police Headquarters'-they are here
now, all the thieves, lot No. 1 and lot
No. 2. You say o don't understand?
Well, I tell you, Mrs. Missioner, per-
haps you had better run down here.
Yes, I know it is a great deal to ask,
but l have worked pretty hard to find
your diamonds-yes, day and night.
The Chief thinks it would be better II
you could arrange to come down. It
won't take you long; you need not stay
more than five minutes. Oh. but you
don't know who the thieves are; yes,
you have guessed in part-not alto
gether; but I think you'd better come
down, Mrs. Missioner; you will be in
terested, l am sure. How's that? Bring
Mr.. Sands? BY all means, If you wish.
Yes, I will await you-then you'll
come? Thank vol very much, Mrs.
Missioner. Good-by.
! Now, what do you think of that? ?"
said Britz to Manning. after all our
work, Mrs. Missioner calmly informs
me that her jewels have beer re-
turned to her, and that she does not
wish to prosecute the thieves. She
says she is willing to overlook their
little devlations from the path of hon
esty, as she is SO glad to re-
cover her jewels. I told her I had the
Maharanee in my pocket, and she in
sisted she had all her gems. What do
you know about that, anyway"
Mrs. Delaroche vas brought In by a
private Of the detective force, and
Britt, with elaborate politeness, bowed
her to a chair. She was toe angry to
acknowledge his courtesy, and she sat
looking at the lieutenant and the
Chief with flashing eyes.
Mrs. D~elaroche," said Britt, II
may as well tell you at the outset that
the game is up. We know all about
your connection with this case, and tho
best thing for you to do IL to toll US
everything you know. Your friend.
Mr.. Griswold, as you have seon. is un-
der arrest. What do you know about
him ?"
II shall answer no questions" said
Mrs. Delaroche. until I shall have
had an opportunity to engage u
sell"
mt. Griswold 10 engaged TO marry
your
OF course" she replied with an in
dignant flush.
Now, Mrs. Delaroche," Brits re-
piled, I'm going to toll you that you
are the most mistaken lady in Man
haitian Island right now. Griswold il
not engaged to YOU; ut any rate he
doesn't understand that he H."
What do you mean, sir7"
II mean. madam" answered Brfts,
that Mr.. Curtis Griswold, though he
engaged himself to marry you. has
been industriously engaged for some
time past in attempting to become en-
gagged to another woman"
Who II she?
"She u the possessor Of many mil
Hons" said Britz. "a woman Of &C
knowledged beauty and Of undsniable
charm. OF course, / don't undertake
to say for q moment, madam, that her
at~tractivenes equals yours. Doubtless,
MI. Griswoh. being an enterprising
young man, has eyss more to her mil
lions than to her looks. Nevertheless,
she II . beauty"
Airy printing once obtain lucrative
positions. Even some Of those who