Graham guardian., 1912-02-23
CHAPTER XVI.

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CHAPTER XVI.
Mutual Explanations.
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 considera.
tion to their inner men.
As he expected, Britz found Girls.
void and Mrs. Delaroche in the big
reception room Of the Detective Bu-
reau with the detectivess 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
we're penned in 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
rested the jewel thieves and--beg par.
don? What did you say--your jewels
have been returned to you? That's
strange. l have ONE OF them In my
pocket now. How's that? You say you
have all your jewels7 Then whose Il
this--the Maharanee? Pardon me. Mrs
Missioner, 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. and lot
No. 2. You say you don't understand
Well, ! tell you. Mrs. Missioner, per
haps you had better run down here
Yes. ! know It Is a great deal to ask
but ! have worked pretty hard to find
your diamonds-yes day and night
The Chief thinks 1t would be better II
you could arrange to come down. I,
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 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, will await you--then you'll
come7 Thank you very much, Mrs.
Missioner. Good-by.
Now, what do you think Of that p
said Britz to Manning. after all our
work, Mrs. Missioner calmly informs
me that her Jewels have been re.
turned to her, and that she does not
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 had the
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
Britz, with elaborate politAness. 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, 'I
may as well tell you at the outset that
the game is up. We know all about
your connection with this case. and the
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?"
II shall answer no questions." said
Mrs. Delaroche, until l 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. Delaroche." Britx re-
piled. I'm going to tell you that you
are the most mistaken lady In Man
haitian Island right now. Griswold ID
not engaged to you; at any rate he
doesn't understand that he is."
What do you mean. sir?"
II mean. madam" answered Britx.
that Mr.. Curtis Griswold. though he
himself to marry you, has
been industriously engaged for some
time past in attempting to become en-
gagged to another woman"
Who IL she?"
"She IL the possessor Of many mil.
Ions" said Britx, "a woman Of 90
beauty and Of undeniable
charm. OF course. don't undertake
to say for q moment, madam, that her
equals yours. Doubtless.
Mr.. Griswold. being an enterprising
young man. has eyes more to her mil
ions than to her looks. Nevertheless.
she ID beauty"
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