The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1912-02-02

hAOW uc Is Ouc VI yOui SuSpCCtSp
TIE prosecutor laughed, at the same
time pressing button which sounded
a buzzer In tho reception room. Eyes
he's one Of the figures in this comedy
OF errors you're playing, but III not
inform him that, in your eyes, he's
one Of the possible thieves. You may
60 ahead suspecting whom you will
without interference on my part"
The swinging door opened, and Girls
void sauntered into the room. The
cordial smile he bestowed on Mott
faded to superciliousness when he be-
held Britt. He glanced at the de-
tectiye as If resentful of his presence
Il presume you can guess why !
called" he said Familiarity to the pros.
ecutor.
1T requires no mind reader to
fathom the object of your VISIT" Mott
laughed back.
Mrs. Missioner is on the verge OF
nervous prostration," Griswold In
formed. "She. asked me to inquire
about the progress Of the case. DO
you know, she can't get herself to be.
lieve Elinor guilty. Sands is inclined
to agree with her to the extent Of of.
fering to go On Miss Holcomb's bond"
why doesn't he do so?" inquired
the prosecutor.
Because Mrs. Missioner objects"
Grtswold replied. "She believes that
the swiftest way to clear Elinor is to
permit her to remain In the Tombs. l
confess cannot see the force Of her
argument, but she is evidently acting
under what she believes to be COM
petent advice
Britt cushioned his head against
the back of the chair in the attitude
of an Indifferent listener to the con.
versation between the other men. II
he had any views on the subject under
discussion, he gave no audible indica-
ton CT them.
This man Sands" suddenly queried
Mott, seems to be an accepted suitor
Of Mrs. Missioner, doesn't he?"
A wave of red mounted to Girls
wold's forehead. An angry witch Of
the corners Of his mouth revealed
that the prosecutor had touched a ten
der spot.
He seems to divide his time be-
tween pursuing Mrs. Missioner and
dropping his inherited millions in
Wall street." Griswold replied. Il un-
derstand he has been hard hit in the
street, and that his fortune is dwind.
ling at rapid rate"
Is that so?' came a meaning query
from Britt. He exchanged significant
glances with Mott.
do you happen to know anything OF
his financial affairs?" asked the prose-
cutor. The question threw Griswold
into q deep study, out of which he
came gradually by slow stages of men.
tai effort
y know he's been hard hit" he
drawled. "And l know also that he's
trying to conceal his reduced circum.
stances from Mrs. Missioner. In fact,
I believe he needs money with which
to carry his stocks"
Conscious OF the shaft he had thrust
and Of the vague insinuation his
words carried, Griswold stopped to
watch the effect Britt stared va
cantly at thNceiling, as If unconscious
of the hint conveyed by Griswold.
Mott seemed interested.
"You don't think it possible he also
Is implicated in the theft?" he asked.
Il should regard such supposition
as absurd" Griswold declared. But"
ne added, hastily, 1--WE had no expert.
ence with criminals"
With a sly look at the detective
Griswold arose and left the room. AS
the door swung behind him Britz
asked:
Mott. what do you know about
Griswold?"
Nothing that could be of any serv.
Ice to you In hunting down the Mis-.
sioner thief"
How long has he been in business
here"
About ten or fifteen years / should
say"
Hes been engaged in various en-.
terprises since leaving college, hasn't
he? Most Of the ventures proved
failures?"
"You seem to know something Of
his business affairs" Mott fired back.
AT present he's secretary of the
lroquois Trust company" Britt con-
tinued. disregarding the prosecutors
remark. do you know what salary
he is receiving?"
HE gets $4,000 year." the attor-
ney informed him.
"His fortune would be materially
improved If he married Mrs. Mis-
sioner."
And you believe the theft Of her
jewels would help his suit?" the pros
ecutor asked sarcastically.
The detective vouchsafed no reply.
With characteristic abruptness, he
switched to Sands.
If Sands has lost heavily in Wall
street we ought to look into it. He
had equal opportunity with Griswold
to steal the collarette," he said.
II have no objection" Mott smiled.
by the way" he suddenly asked,