The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-16


range of Blodgett's right-angled gaze.
AS he sensed the footman's expression
he started violently and, stepping
back swiftly, turned away in CON
fusion Not a muscle of Blodgetts
other features moved, but his eyes
seemed to reach for the detective.
Donnelly was rapidly recovering his
place ON the pedestal Hands wrist
deep in pockets. he rocked on his
heels and looked at Elinor piercingly
with his little eyes. The girl, in an
interval between sobs, raised her
head and saw that gaze. A slow flush
swept her face. She detached herself
gently from little Miss March. and
lifting that graceful head of hers
higher, ever higher, faced the sleuth
with composure as startling as had
been her loss of control.
"1f you have anything more to ask,
sir," she said In low tone, Il will
try to answer"
"Thanksl" came the curt reply. II
knew you'd come around. You see,
Miss Elinor-"
Miss Holcombi" burst from Sands
in thunder tone. "H-o-lc-o-m.b--you
understand-Miss Holcomb." Donnel.
ly pretended not to notice the inter-
ruption, but he did not address Elinor
by her first name again. But Carson
seemed as perturbed as he had been
under the malignant gaze Of the mo-
tionless Blodgett.
what we're you doing in Maiden
Lane the other day?" asked Donnelly,
sharply
II was not in Maiden Lane. I
haven't been downtown in weeks. The
last time l went south of the shop.
ping district was more than q month
ago"
THAT is true" said Mrs. Missioner
hurriedly. Miss Holcomb went to
the Battery Trust company for me-"
Much obliged, maam." Donnelly
was learning to show more Difference
TO the widow Carson had whispered
to him something Of her social i'm
portance. Yes, Carson, although he
was only a neutral tint IN the human
color scheme, know a few things.
WAS that the day you took the dia-
monds to Tfffany's?" queried the big
detective quickly. ITO have one OF
the small stones made tighter, you
know"
Miss Holcomb's disdain had given
place to dull wonder. Where had the
man got his misinformation? Could
1t be he really thought--but, no. II
was impossible. She felt as II some.
thing suffocating was closing about
her She lifted one hand to her throat
) to force back the sobs that would
come.
'I am completely confused by your
questions" she stammered Il dc
not know how to answer. What you
say is so strange" She looked at the
others with world of appeal in those
gray eyes. Astonishment, sympathy
affection, cynlcism, mutely replied
Stretching both hands toward Mrs
! Missioner, advancing with falterini
steps, the victim OF the detective
persecution cried: Mrs. Missioner
is It possible you can think--do yo,
even imagine I-I-oh," with a swif
turn to Miss March, Dorothy, Dor
.othy!" e
To the credit OF little Miss Marcl
bo It remembered she met Elinor'
second appeal with undiminished ten
derness, Mrs Missioner, too, wal
kind but her gentle mo, Elinor," wa
not as reassuring as the loving pat
Dorothy squandered on the bent shoul
ders Of the distressed girl. Sands
swore in his thoughts. His big fingers
bent a gold penholder into wavy lines
lRanscome, with alternate flnger-tips
traced lines in his palms. GrlswolC
turned his cigarette round and 'rounC
with agile fingers and thumb. Blodg
ett's eyes seemed to lunge at the de
tectives.
II guess Miss Holcomb isn't ready
70 tell all she knows-yet," said Don
nelly meaningly. "While we're wait
Ing for her to steady her nerves
Wen just have a look In her room"
Mrs. Missioner was about TO mega
tive the suggestion, but a glance a
Elinor's shaking form stopped her
She did not reply, and the detectives
walked out of the room in silence. A
look from the widow sent Blodget
stalking in their wake. The footmar
kept his eyes on Donnelly's turned
out toes as II calculating how mucl
strength was required to seize those
thick ankles with a sudden heave
Not until the central office men were
at the end Of the passage di6 the sob
bing secretary start in great agitation
toward the door. On the threshold
she paused and turned slowly till she
faced the group.
"Since they are going to search my
tho ROOM" she said. in a chokinl
voice, II wish you would all come
there with me. IL feel that--wont
you all come-please?"
The men hung back, but Doris and
Dorothy Joined her on the instant
and together the three women fol
lowed tho detectives into the lift
Blodgett backed from the car and
stood staring at the detectives through
the rose-tinted grill. A boy in quiet
livery threw the lever and the stee