The Elbert County tribune., 1912-01-19
CHAPTER XVI.
Mutual ExnlanatIon.

1t was breakfast time. and Britz and
Fitch after their exciting night were
hungry enough to eat Hindoo. but
they did not stop to show considern-
ton TO their inner men.
As he expected. Britz found Girls
void and Mrs. Delaroche in the big
reception room of the Detective Blu
reau with the detectives who had ar
rested them waiting ponderously near
the door, and an interested desk lieu
tenant looked up from his work to
hear the denouement of what Police
Headquarters had come to regard as
the star" case of the year.
Britz walked slowly to his own
room. where the scowling Orientals
were penned in a corner. while the
chief of the detectives and his two
subordinates were taking well-earned
rest In the lieutenant's easy-chairs.
Britz talked to Manning In whispers.
then went to the telephone and called
Mrs. Missioner's house.
Good morning. Mrs Missioner" he
said over the wire. This is Lieuten-
ant Britz-Britz OF Headquarters.
called you up to tell you We had ar
|
don? What did you say-your Jewels
have been returned to you? That's
strange. have one OF them in my
pocket now. How's that? You say you
have al, your jewels? Then whose is
this-the Maharanee? Pardon me, Mrs
Missioner, I don't quite understand
We have the thieves here and the big
gest OF the diamonds. What did you
say--you don't want the thieves prose-
cuted? Why. really, Mrs. Missioner
| yes. OF course-yes. am talking from
Police Headquarters'-they are here
now. all the thieves. lot No 1 and lot
No. 2. You say you don't understand?
Well. l tell you. Mrs. Missioner. per-
haps you had better run down here.
Yes, know 1t is a great deal to ask.
but have worked pretty hard to find
your diamonds-yes. day and night.
The Chief thinks It would be better II
you could arrange to come down. 1t
won't take you long; you need not stay
more than Ave minutes. oh. but you
don't know who the thieves are; yes,
you have guessed in part-not alto
gether; but l think you'd better come
down, Mrs. Missioner: you will be In
terested, am sure. How's that? Bring
Mr.. Sands? BY all means. II you wish
Yes. I will await you--then you'll
come? Thank you very much. Mrs.
Missioner. Good-by.
Now, what do you think of that ?"
said Britz TO Manning. After all our
work, Mrs. Missioner calmly informs
me that her Jewels have been re-
| I'M tn rL~
wish to prosecute the thieves. She
says she is willing to overlook their
little deviations from the path OF hon.
esty. as she is SO glad to re-
cover her Jewels. told her l had tho
Maharanee In my pocket, and she In
sisted she had all her gems. What do
you know about that, anyway"
Mrs. Delaroche was brought in by a
private Of the detective force. and
Brftz. with elaborate politeness, bowed
her to chair. She was too angry to
acknowledge his courtesy. and she sat
looking at the lieutenant and the
Chief with flashing eyes.
Mrs. Delaroche." said Britz, II
may as well tell you at the outset that
the game is up. We know all about
|
best thing for you to do is to tell us
everything you know. Your friend,
Mr.. Griswold, as you have seen, is un-
der arrest What do you know about
him?"
| Il shall answer no questions" said
Mrs. Delaroche. until I shall have
had an opportunity to engage coun-
sell"
Mr.. Griswold is engaged to marry
your"
OF course" she replied with an In
dignant flush.
Nov, Mrs. DeIaroche." Britz re-
piled. I'm going to tell you that you
are the most mistaken lady In Man
haitian Island right now. Griswold is
not engaged to you; at any rate he
doesn't understand that he is"
What do you mean. sir?"
| II mean. madam" answered Britz,
that Mr.. Curtis Griswold, though he
engaged himself to marry you, has
been industriously engaged for some
time past In attempting to become en-
gagged TO another woman"
Who is she?"
She is the posseDsor Of many mil
lions" said Britx. "a woman Of &C.
knowledged beauty and Of undeniable
charm. OF course. don't undertake
to say for moment, madam, that her
attractivenes equals yours. Doubtless,
Mr.. Griswold. being an enterprising
young man, has eyes more to her mill
lions than to her looks. Nevertheless.
she il q beauty"