| OCR Text |
Show MM V- A N JC! A p: n TlCe". Th Chief Drew Back In 8tudled Anger. effort tr.uHt be made at the present time to clear ber." "What!" exclulmed Dr. Fltch. 'Ten. nilt my fiancee to suffer tho tortures of this prison and live under tbe U-ma U-ma of ttilH terrible accusation?" "It Is necessary," assured Brltx. "The two detectives who arrested her seem to be convinced of her Built." Fltch said angrily. "They Inflicted In-flicted tortures on her that might have crushed a stronger woman; she told me as best she could what took place at the Inquisition in I'ollc Headquarters." "Very well," said Brltx. "I am working Independently, regardless of anything Donnelly and Carson, the two men who made the arrest, may do. They blundered grievously when they arrested the young woman. Wi must overcome that blunder, but the time ts not ripe' for her release. If she leaves the Tombs, It must be with ber name cleared of suspicion." Dr. Fitch returned to the prison and was permitted to see the prisoner la the little reception room on the ground flour of the women's wing. Her law yer had left Instructions that the physician be allowed to consult with his fiancee at any time. On his first visit, be had found ber distraught, hardly able to tell a coherent story. Hit call bad a cheering effect on her, however, and she entered the reception recep-tion room with a firmer step. "I hope you bare brought good news," she called. "I , have just talked with Lleutensnt Brltx, who is In charge of your case," he replied. "He has assured me be will do everything to prove your Innocence In-nocence and find the real criminal, but be wants you to remain here until you can leave with your name entirely entire-ly cleared." "You believe me, don't you?" she murmured. j "All those who know you must b-lleve b-lleve in you," he answered. "The very Innocence of your nature Is sufficient reply to the accusation against you." As he hastened down the steps of the prison, he again met Brltx. Th two men walked to Broadway and up that thoroughfare to Twenty third Street When they parted, Brltx knew the life history of Miss Holcomb. She had been born In good circumstances, circum-stances, and was a graduate of Smith College. All her life, she had been reared to the belief that ber future was well provided for. As the only child of a Ho ton banker, she lived Id an environment of tranquil ease that seemed her permanent heritage In life. Her father and mother died within a year of each other, during the stress of a financial panic. When the estate came to be settled. It was found insufficient to meet the outstanding out-standing obligations of the father. Left penniless, amid the luxuries of ber birth, she found employment aa a governess, and two years before the discovery of the substituted paste Jewels, 6he was engaged by Mrs. Mls-sloner Mls-sloner as secretary. Fitch. Diet Miss Holcomb In Boston, and their friendship was renewed in New York. Their engagement was announced an-nounced only a month before her arrest. ar-rest. Brltz, trying to square the circumstances cir-cumstances surrounding her arreBt with the conclusion of guilt, decided that If she took the Jewels, It must have been In a sudden temptation born of the luxury of her past, Hut, on more mature reflection, he concluded that her birth, her breeding, all the training of her life placed her above any such temptation; and when he entered his home to study the case In the quiet of his library, he was possessed pos-sessed of the strong conviction that Miss Holcomb was guiltless of the charge entered against her on the records rec-ords of the Court. (TO HE CONTINt'ETU she felt waa a dull pain of body and mind. "Don't sit there like a white mummy," mum-my," burst forth Donnelly. "Come, now," he added Impatiently, "don't exhaust our patience; we haven't treat ed you roughly, but we know how to bring you out of your silence." He seized ber wrist, bla clenched hand squeezing It until she uttered a sharp cry of pain. "Are you going to answer my questions?" ques-tions?" he blurted. She sank back In the chair with a despairing moan. Her heavy eyelids dropped, a tremor contracted her brow, then ber head fell limply to one side. "I guess we won't gain anything by going any stronger with her to-day. Take her back!" commanded the Chief. Donnelly and Carson shook her Into consciousness. They steadied ber as she dragged herself through the dark corridor and down two flight of narrow nar-row iron stairs to her cell. When she waa out of the room, the silent visitor came out of the ot scarity of his corner and seated himself him-self In the chair vacated by Miss Holcomb. Hol-comb. "What do you think of it, BrtUT" asked Manning. Detective Lieutenant Brltx stared hard, aa If trying to concentrate bis thoughts. His keen face, screwed Into an expression of uncertainty, contrasted con-trasted sharply with the big heavy features of his superior. Side by side, the two men suggested the delicate surgeon's probe and the heavy blacksmith' black-smith' sledge. "It's a great mystery," Brltx declared. de-clared. "A great mystery," he repeated repeat-ed In a tone of deep conviction. "The most puzzling case that has ever come under my observation." "Very well," the Chief drawled. "It's Donnelly and Carson's case, but you go out and solve It you go out and get the goods." CHAPTER VII. Remanded to the Tombs. lieutenant Brltx, seated at the flattop flat-top desk of his office, peered steadily at the celling, as If be expected to find written there the solution of the great mystery Into which he bad been called. A worried expression was on his face, as If anxiety bad taken pos session of bis soul. He became submerged sub-merged In deep meditation. In which . he sought to arrange In consecutive order the Information gathered by , Donnelly and Carson. The conviction forced lUelf on his mind that Miss Holcomb's arrest was based on circumstance cir-cumstance from which more than one Inference might be drawn. The (act that she knew the combination or Mrs. Mlssloner's safe did not mean, of course, that she took the Jewels. On the surface, it looked as If here was the exclusive opportunity to possess herself of the gems, outside of Mrs. Missloner herself. But Brltx felt that the depth of the case bad not been sounded; In fact, that the surface bad not even been penetrated. The only thread that connected Miss Holcomb with the theft was the diamond found In her room. But to Brltz'a experienced mind, this circumstance circum-stance pointed rather toward innocence inno-cence than guilt. For, be argued, if she had taken those Jewels, she would not have been so careless aa to leave one of them In ber boudoir. That diamond, dia-mond, Brtti waa convinced, was placed there Intentionally ajid with sinister purpose by a band other than Miss Holcomb's. Brltx rose from his seat, donned bis topcoat and hat, and made his way to the tier of cells one of which held Miss Holcomb. He encountered Donnelly Don-nelly and Carson on the way. "What time are you going to arraign ar-raign her?" be asked. "Right now," Donnelly replied. "We got the magistrate to bold court V. bcur longer for us." A turnkey swung open the Iron door of the cell. The detectives found Miss Holcomb huddled In a comer, the wan light of the corridor falling on ber tear bathed face. "Don't take me back! They want tc harm me! I haven't done anything!" any-thing!" she cried, when she saw the visitors. Brltx stepped forward with an air of command and waved the other detectives back. He scraped bis shoulders through the cell door and sat on the rude cot, facing the woman. "Miss Holcomb," he said pleasantly, "there will be no further inquisition In the Chief's office, no more third-degree third-degree methods will be applied to you. It Is necessary under the law to bring you before a magistrate wtthln twenty-four hours after your arrest. Now, brace yourself, please, for the ordeal. 4 SYNOPSIS. The etnry opens with a scream frnn )intliy Man-he In the opera bus of Mrs talNNUmrr, a wealthy widow. It Is or rnaloned when Mm. Mlmlofo-r'a iierkhu- breaks, ratirrliiK tlio diamonds all ovri 111 fl.Kir. Curtis (irlKwoltl itml Hrustor Panda. ax-lety nien In love with Mr. M!a loner, gather iip the inm Orlawoh: step on what Is supoaed to be tha celebrated cele-brated Muharnnee ami rruahes It. A Hindoo Hin-doo iI.m-I iri' It waa not the genuine. An expert later pronounces all tha etonei uhtltijta for tha original. I (elective! linnHly ami Caraon Investigate. They dm Ida that tha theft of tha original u-m Waa arrompllahed by soma ona In tha bojea. Minn Kllnnr ifolcoinb, confidential companion of Mr. Mlaalnner, la sua-iwrtait. sua-iwrtait. One of tha mlaalng diamonds la found In her room. Mra. Mlaaloner prorata pro-rata that Kllnnr la Imiorent, but aha la taken to prlaon. Meantime, In an uptown up-town m&iialon, two Hindoos, who are In America to recover tha Mahariuica, dle-cuaa dle-cuaa tha arrest. , CHAPTER VI. Continued. "Elinor Holcomb!" cried the lieutenant lieu-tenant Donnelly and Carson, each with an arm under ber shoulder, propped her sinking form. "IJft your head," commanded the Chief. The order fell on deaf ears. She seemed as one In the lost agony of a mortal Illness. "Lift It for her," came in a voice of mingled sternness and compassion. Donnelly's baud flew to her chin, tilting her face upward. For an instant in-stant she raised bur heavy eyelids; then recoiled aa from a blow. The crowd of masked spectators floated before her eyes like hideous specters of a horrid dream. A low groan, like the last lament of a tortured soul, came from her Hps. She seemed turned turn-ed into a mass of Jelly. "Take her away," commanded the Chief, and the two detectives carried ber out of the room. "Accused of stealing the Missloner diamonds," was the curt explanation of her presence. In a harsh monotone, mono-tone, the Cblef read the various Headquarters Head-quarters orders to the force, and then tho men not engaged on old work received re-ceived their assignments of new canes. As abruptly aa he bad entered, the head of the Bureau left the room nndsetlred to his private office. Tben lie summoned Donnelly and Carson. "Takes It pretty bad, eh?" be asked. "Lfke all the swell ones when they're nabbed the first time," answered an-swered Carson. "Had to call the doctor twice during dur-ing the night, the matron tells me," Informed Donnelly. "Did she make any statement on the way to Headquarters?" Inquired the Chief. "Nothing but hysterics," Carson an-wered. an-wered. "And she's In no condition to be questioned now," added Donnelly. "Anyone been Inquiring for her?" the Chief suddenly snapped. "Yes," flashed back Donnelly. His yes lit with a crafty glow. "Some guy who says he's a doctor and en-RHged en-RHged to marry her has been hanging hang-ing around here all morning. Wants to know how be can get ber out Looks aa If be might be mixed up In It, so I'm having him shadowed." "Good!" commented the Chief. "If any lawyer calls, tell him she's In no condition to be seen. We don't want anyone to see ber until we've questioned ques-tioned her." It waa late In the afternoon before MIhs Holcomb waa escorted Into the Inquisitorial chamber. She had fallen Into a fitful slumber cm the rude Iron ted that projected from the wall of ber cell, when Donnelly and Carson opened the grated door and called her out of her sleep. She gave a startled gasp when she saw them, a convulsive ahudder racked her frame. A sudden Influx of painful memories overwhelmed overwhelm-ed ber with a pitiful sense of helplessness helpless-ness aa she dragged herself to the office of-fice of the Chief. With a weak show of courage, she eyed Manning resolutely, and then ank Into a soft leather chair close to bis desk. Donnelly and Carson occupied oc-cupied seats at her elbow. "What did you do with thoee stones?" blurted the Chief. Her Hps framed a reply, but It died without utterance. "Come, come!" he cried Impatiently. Impatient-ly. "We dtm't want any acting here. I know you're only a tool In this matter. mat-ter. We've got the principal under arrest and I'm giving you a chance to ave yourself. You turn State's evidence evi-dence against him and I'll see that no harm cornea to you. He's the fellow we want to land. Now tell me Just what you did with the Jewels." In the midst of this outburst a door opened silently and a sharp featured, aiooth shaven man of middle age entered en-tered and seated blumelf In an obscure ob-scure corner of the room. Ills form eemed to merge into the shadow of the walls aa he dropped nolaelessly lalo his chair. MUs llolciunb did not ae him enter. Her Increasing terror gave her a fictitious energy and she lifted her head with a sharp Jerk. "I didn't ateal the Jewels." she said. "1 had nothing to do with their dlsap-pearaac." dlsap-pearaac." The mocking laughter of three deep voice sounded In the rooru. "Does It well!" chuckled Donnelly. "Too bad she ain't an actress," Joined Carson, i The Chief's beady eyes narrowed on ; ber aa If be would read her luut rmoht , thoughts. r "There's no use trying to He to me," 1 he snarled. "I know who's got the I diamonds. The man who hired you to steal th em Is lo ked up now. He says he didn't know they were stolen " , "Who says that?" she interrupted. i 1 ki nelly and Carson nudged each ' other in boisterous glee. , "She wants to know who says It!" i piped the former. "Ain't she the slick one!" laughed his partner. The Chief's face hardened until a menace seemed to lurk In every one of Its deep-cut lines. "Now, you know who says It," he Informed her. "I don't have to mention men-tion any names. It's simply a question of you going to Jail or of sending blm to Jail. I don't take any stock In what be says. He can't tell me be didn't know you stole the Jewels. I ain't as easy as all that! Now, I'm giving you a chance to make a full confession confes-sion and save yourself. Will you confess?" con-fess?" Ills tone carried the weight of a threat, but her unresponsive mind was unuble to grasp Its significance. She stared blankly before her, as It ber eyes were chained to some distant spot "Will you confess ?" the Chief repeated repeat-ed with added menace. As If roused from a long abstraction, abstrac-tion, she gazed appeallngly at ber tormentor. tor-mentor. "I have nothing to confess," she murmured weakly. The Chief drew back in studied anger. an-ger. His fist banged the desk as if the blow was meant to convey a sudden sud-den resolve. "Very well!" he burst forth. "Uo right ahead and be the goat If you want to. Iook here, little girl, I was Just klildln' you when I said we had the principal under arrest," he said w ith a quick change of tactics. "You're the only one that's locked up. I don't believe there's anyone else mixed up In the case at all. I believe you did the Job alone. If there's anyone behind be-hind you, you'll have to show me. There's only on thief Involved, and that's you." An expression, aa of a hunted animal, ani-mal, crept Into her face. She turned to the left and met the fixed stare or Donnelly. Averting ber bead, her eyea looked Into thoee of Carson. Directly Di-rectly In front, close to her face, the cold gleam from the Chief's eyes fell on her. So she turned around, only to look Into an Impenetrable background back-ground of gloom, sinister and depressing. depress-ing. "I haven't done anything," she pleaded. "I don't know who took Mrs. Mlssloner's diamonds." As If cut by a sudden thought. Miss Holcomb bent forward In her seat "She can't believe be-lieve I did It?" she moaned. "You bet your life she believes you did It," the Chief announced. "And I know you did it So what's the use of denying It?" "I do deny It, I do deny It," she protested. pro-tested. "How can they think me capable capa-ble of It?" The Chief opened a drawer of his desk and brought forth the accusing diamond. He held It clone to her face, permitting the rays to distribute themselves on ber feature. "Pretty fine stone!" be commented. "A peach of a shiner! Looked good to you, didn't It? Came so easy It was a shame to take It eh? Now how did It get mixed up with your trinkets?" trink-ets?" "I don't know," she moaned. The Chief turned from her wearily. "You take her In hand, Donnelly,' he said. The detective bent over the woman, his face ao close that she felt his warm breath against her cheeks. "Don't try any nonsense dow n here," he snarled. "We got the goods on you. and we ain't going to stand any fooling. Now, where are tho diamonds?" dia-monds?" She eyed him In mild protest "I don't know, sir," sh murmured weakly. Donnelly shoved bis clenched fist under ber chin. Ills face contorted Into an expression of tigerish ferocity; ha peered at her with an Intensity that chilled ber blood. "You're a liar," he snapped. "You tblnk you're a slick one, but you'll be sorry you was ever born If you don't cough up the goods. We know bow to handle customers like you down her. We're used to 'em. We get "em every day. Now, Just save yourself a lot of trouble by telling the whereabouts of the diamonds." "They ain't going to do you any gfxxj," interjected the Chief. "They don't wear diamonds where you're going go-ing to. The leas trouble yon give us, the less trouble we'll make for you. And we cm make more trouble for you than you can make for us." A look of such utter helplessness overspread ber face that even the detectives de-tectives resiUed th utter futility of their attack. She seemed as one under un-der the Influent of a torplfylng drug. Her capaM'Hy for new feelings had been crushed out of her by th crowded crowd-ed incident following her arrest All If you are Innocent, you have absolutely abso-lutely nothing to fear. You will have an opportunity In court of consulting with your friends and engaging a lawyer. law-yer. Your Interests will be protected." protect-ed." Instinctively, although In the gloom of her surroundings she could make out only a dim outline of bis face, she felt a confidence In the detoctlve that braced her like a tonic. "1 have a carriage waiting for you, Mlas Holcomb," Brltx Informed ber. "It will enable you to avoid the many curious eyes in the street" She murmured her thanks as she stepped out of the cell and followed Brltz and bis companions through a maze of corridors to the street Tbey were driven rapidly to th Jefferson Market Court and ushered Into the private room of the magistrate. A crowd of reporters was already on hand for the hearing. The curious eyes aimed pitilessly at her Inspired In her a terror that made her shrink behind th broad shoulders of Donnelly. Don-nelly. The magistrate motioned her to a seat close to his desk, and said: "Madam, It Is your privilege to engage en-gage counsel. I would advise you to do so at once, for anything you say may be used against you." "I have don nothing wrong," the murmured. "You had better get a lawyer," the Magistrate urged. Aa If In response to his advice, th door opened abruptly and two men entered. One was sharp-faced, gray-haired, gray-haired, nervous, with the unmistakable unmistak-able air of the lawyer. The other was a young man, his face marked with heavy lines of worry, aa If be also had passed a sleepless night. At sight of him, Mtss Holcomb sprang forward and threw herself In his arms. "Oh, Lawrence!" she exclaimed. "How I have mlsed you!" "Don't worry," he soothed. "Everything "Every-thing will turn out all tight I have engaged a lawyer for you. I believe In you Implicitly." Donnelly and Carson asked for a week in which to work up the case against the prisoner. "We are Informed that the stolen Jewels are worth close to half a million. mil-lion. There was one big diamond In the bunch that Is said to be worth a quarter of a million alone. I think she ought to be put under heavy bonds." "On what grounds do you base your accusation of theft against this young woman?" demanded the lawyer. Donnelly dlxplayed the diamond be bad found In her room. "She was tbe only one, outside or Sirs. MtHsloner, who knew the combination combi-nation of the safe," be said. "We found this diamond, which Is one of the original stones, In her room." "Does Mrs. Missloner charge this girl with the theft of the collarette?" asked the lawyer. "The police make the accusation," Donnelly replied. "Mrs. Missloner Is too upset to appear In court to-day." Following tbe usual course, the magistrate adjourned the case for a week, and held Miss Holcomb In I0O,-000 I0O,-000 ball. There being no bondsmen present, she waa committed to the Tombs. "May I speak with Miss Holcomb In private a few momenta?" asked the young man Into whose arms she had fallen. "Who are you?" gruffly demanded Donnelly. "I'm Dr. Lawrence Fitch, the fiance of Miss Holcomb." "You can see her In the Tombs," Donnelly retorted. Lieutenant Brlta did not accompany Donnelly and Carson with their prisoner pris-oner to the Jail. When the court hearing hear-ing was over, he returned to bis office, summoned two subordinate detectives, and gave them hasty instructions. Tben he sauntered slowly to the Tombs. A the barred steel door swung open to admit Brltx, Dr. Fitch crossed, the stone flagged courtyard that separates sepa-rates tbe women's wing of the prison from that of the men. "Waa It Dr. Fitch who called to see the prisoner In tbe MUsloner diamond robbery?" he asked the doorman. "Yes," came the prompt response. Brltx waited In the shadow of the massive gray front of th Jail until the young physician came out. He observed the pallor of the doctor's cheeks, his uncertain gait, aa If the turmoil of his mind had exhausted his physical energy. The detective noted, also, the clear-rut, straightforward features of the physician, the resolute aspect of bla face, and the purposeful gleam In his clear eyes. "Just a moment, doctor," Brltx said, tapping Ir. Fitch on the shoulder. "What can I do for you?" asked the doctor. "I am Lieutenant Brltx, of Headquarters." Head-quarters." the detective, explained. "I am In charge of the active work on this case. I wart your he!p. You can be of great serTlce to Miss Ho'comb." "How?" quickly akrd Dr. Fitch. "By following my orders." flashed Brltx. "What are your orders?" asked the doctor. "It Is absolutely necessary that all suspicion be directed toward ber. No -Mm T Tw Msn Waited to Broadway. |
