Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-02-23
CHAPTER xvl-(contInued.)

We've got the motive for the
crime" the two men shouted in one
breath.
Britt assumed an attitude Of eager
interest The prosecutor looked sig
nlhcantly at him.
What have you discovered?- he
asked.
THAT man Fitch IL mixed up IN the
ease Just as ! always thought" DON
RELY informed him. "She stole those
diamonds for his sake. It's another
ease Of the girl turning thief to help
her lover"
We've run the whole thing down
snd We have It here In black and
white" His fingers clasped three or
four letters which he Haunted tempt
ingIy before the eyes Of tho prosecu-
tcf. They confirm our suspicion that
Fitch is at the bottom Of the whole
Rse Rather, that he's the man high
e. up"
Mott gathered the contents of the
fisslFes in three or four sweeping
glances as he handed them to Britt.
He perused them closely, as II weigh
hg their import while noting their
contents. His impassive face masked
the emotions they aroused in him.
and be returned them to the assistant
district attorney with an air Of indif-
ference
These letters are conclusive" Mott
pronounced.
Conclusive Of whats" demanded
Briix.
That Miss Holcomb was the tool
q her fance, and that the two have
eombined TO enlist your sympathy"
Z guess II wasn't bad bit Of de-
'fctiye work to get these letters"
Donnelly smiled.
I guess not" agreed Carson, anx
i1us to justify his partners little out
burst Of self-adulaton.
Britt turned to them abruptly.
Their nippant tones irritated him. His
nature revolted at the ill-bred rejoic-
hs over the prospective degradation
ETA woman.
How did you get the lettersf" he
asked brusquely.
Donnelly. ready to burst with the
Importance he had gathered, needed
10 urging to impart the desired in
iormation.
4 had Doctor Fitch Swallowed from
ne day he appeared at headquarters
q inquire about Miss Holcomb," he
rid. That's how | got on that he
VS. negotiating with a real estate
agent Luckily. the agent was a
friend Of mine, and he informed me
nat Fitch had purchased and paid
~ site on which to build a mod
IN sanitariuin. Yes, sir, he put up
NVvVo for the ground: and the build
nu and furnishings. I learned, are to
oe' nearly quarter of a million. II
Aslt easy TO get the agent to turn
e'a Htch's letters. but l told him
so have TO produce them before
ae grand jury under a subpoena. so
e handed them over"
Have you tried to learn where he
kH the money!" Britt demanded.
ne plain enough where he got the
money The Individual stones of the
ecklace would bring all the money
e needed for the deal"
But have you tried to make sure
uA' no sold the diamonds?" Britt per-
risied.
fn get all that without much
oosnle," was the confident reply.
ordered.
When the two detectives left the
soeu Mott found It impossible to re-
~a'n his Qualification.
guess you'll admit you're on the
raoos layi" he jeered. You've be-
-noered Yourself with your own zeal.
~ e the sort Of stuff want he
saafeo. lingering the letters.
'oave been led astray. Now get
me right trail and accomplish
az attendant entered with a card.
prosecutor glanced at 1t and
seu n'oyer to the detective.
-, ~ an old friend" Mott remarked
were In college together"
oArk hush suffused Britt counte-
~. and deepened his yellow ivory
xion to a duh gray. He fixed
OF anxious Interrogation on
= II doubtful Of the wisdom Of