The Huttig news., 1912-01-13
CHAPTER VII.
Remsnded to the Tombs.


Lieutenant Britt, seated at the fiat
top desk OF his Office. peered steadily
at the ceiling, as If he expected to
find written there the solution of the
great mystery into which he had been
called. A worried expression was on
his face, as if anxiety had taken pos
session of his soul. He became sub
merged in deep meditation, in which
he sought to arrange in consecutive
order the information gathered by
Donnelly and Carson. The conviction
forced itself on his mind that Miss
Holcombs arrest was based on cir
cumstance from which more than
one inference might be drawn. The
iact that she knew the combination or
Mrs. Missioners safe did not mean. OF
course, that she took the jewels On
the surface. it looked as if hers was
the exclusive opportunity to possess
herself of the gems, outside of Mrs.
Missioner herself But Britt felt that
he depth of the case had not been
.ounded; in fact, that the surface had
1ot even been penetrated.
The only thread that connected
Miss Hocomb with the theft was the
diamond found In her room But to
Britz's experienced mind, this circum-
staree pointed rather toward limo
eence than guilt. For, he argued il
he had taken those jewels, she would
sot have been so careless as to leave
one of them in her boudoir That dia-
nond, Britt was convinced was
placed there intentionally and with
mister purpose by hand other than
liss Holcomb's.
Britt rose from his seat, donned bis
opcoat and hat, and made his way to
he tier of cells one of which held
Miss Ho'comb He encountered Dom
nelly and Carson on the way.
What tine are you going to ar
raign herr" he asked
Right now" Donnelly replied. I'VE
got the magistrate to ho-d court an
hour longer for u.s."
A turnkey swung open the iron door
of the cell The detectives found Miss
Holconb huddled in a corner. the
wan light of the corridor falling on
her tear-bathed face.
Don't take ME back! They want
to harm me! | haven't done any
thing" she cried. when she saw the
visitors. Britz stepped forward with
an air of command and waved the
other detectives back. He scraped his
shoulders through the cell door and
sat on the rude cot, facing the woman.
Miss Holcomb," he said pleasantly,
there viii be no further inquisition
in the Chiefs Office, no more third
degree methods will he applied to you.
II is necessary under the law to bring
you before magistrate within TWEEN.
ty-four hours after your arrest. Now,
brace yourself, please, for the ordeal.
II you are innocent. you have ALSO
1utely nothing to fear. You will have
an opportunity in court OF consulting
with your friends and engaging law
yer. Your interests will be prote ct
ed"
Instinctively, although in the gloom
of her surroundings she could make
out only dim outline of his face, she
felt a confidence in the detective that
braced her like tonic.
II have a carriage waiting for you.
Miss Holcomb,' Britt informed her.
ut will enable you to avoid the many
curious eyes in the street"
She murmured her thanks as she
stepped out of the cell and followed
Britt and his companions through a
maze of corridors TO the street. They
were driven rapidly to the Jefferson
Market Court and ushered into the