The Huttig news. (Huttig, Ark.) 1907-1955, 1912-01-20

piled Britt. II do not say either of
them took the diamonds, but | must
follow every line of inquiry that re-
veals itself to me. Now. liant It
fact, Miss Holcemh. that Griswold was
the preferred suitor?"
Il do not think So" she said in q
low voice.
You mean she preferred Sands"
Yes"
Miss Hocomb. do You know TIE
history of the Maharanee diamond p"
he suddenly fired.
A quick spark OF memory kindled
her mind and WITH the first flash, she
understood the import OF his question.
Mrs. Missioner told me the history
of the stone,' she said. Il believe
there was some scandal connected
with its purchase in India. She told
ME that when her husband obts.n ned
it, there was some talk OF it having
been stolen from temple and that
the provincial native government tried
to regain possession of it. Mr. Mis-
sioner succeeded, however, in retain
ing 1t as part of his collection.
What opportunity did the Indian
servant have OF obtaining the neck-
lace?"
None at ALL" she answered hope
lessly, unless he broke into the Sal g,
and | believe that was not done
Mrs. Missioner informed me that
on one occasion, when the necklace
was lying on the table, the servant en-
tered the room with box You We
in the room at the time. Was ne
close enough to the table to touch the
necklace?''
Il remember the incident very
we'll. she replied Il took the box
from him at the door and he turn4d
around and went downstairs. Go
not believe he was within ten feet of
the table at any time
Il don't know what to think Brifz
said after some reflection. Almost
as soon as new clew b9ha mp 1t
falls down ard have 10 begin al
over again. have no more questions
20 ask to-day.
Fitch accompanied the detective ont
OF the prison. begging vatnly for some
word of encouragement Britz an
swered his questions with monosyl-
labIes. as If he feared to commit him
self with regard TO the outcome OF his
investigation. Just before parting,
however. Britt said:
Every line that develops in this
case. you can rest assured. Will be FOL
lowed to the end So far, nothing has
been discovered that changes the as
poet of the case in the slightest de-
gree"
The detective walked to HeadqGar-
ters and entered the Office OF the
Chief.
Has Donnelly or Carson reported
anything new" he inquired.
Sotnfng answered the chief.
And you?9
Nothing that throws any light on
the case
Britt the Chief remarked, as
| though delivering some weighty con-
ciusion, I think you're working on
the wrong hypothesis. You seem 10
have decided that Miss Ho comb is in
nGeent. Ii you will survey the case
as it stands. you will have 10 acAnowl-
edge that absolutely everything in it
points to her guilt | do not under
take to say what her motive was in
stealing the jewels, unless ii was sim
ply the feminine lust for ornaments.
| feel certain, also, that she was not
alone in the crime. My belief is that
she took the necklace out OF the sale.
turned il over TO DIR. Fitch, or some
one else, TO have the duplicate Nate,
and then returned the false jewe.s 10
the safe"
But where were the paste gems
made" inquired Britt.
That's for you to find out" snapped
the Chief
4 have personally visited every
manufacturer of paste gems in this
city and In Philadelphia, Boston. Buff
falo. and Washington. My men have
been to all the places in the smaller
cities. Manufacturers in all the other
cities Of the country have been yis-
ed by the local police, and | teel ab-
soiutely sure that the duplicates were
not made in this country. Logan is
on the way to Paris now, and until
We hear from him | don't think We
are safe in venturing any opinion as
to the identity OF the thief. am re-
ceiving daily reports of the move
ments OF Sands, Griswold the butter.
and the Indian servant, but they show
nothing
Why do you think Logan will dis
cover anything? Has the real neck
lace ever been abroad
Mrs Missioner had it with her on
the other side, but / don't know that
1t ever left her possession
The Chiefs lips coiled into an
amused smile.
Kind o looks as if you're on the
wrong scent he baitcd.
~ ait TIL we hear from Paris,
Britt returned.
As the detective left the office, he
could not hep lee ing OF depression
at the slow progress oil events. As yet,
the intricacies of the mystery were