Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 40, Number 110, 20 March 1915 — Page 7

THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN-TELEGRAM, SATURDAY, MARCH 20, .1915

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THIRD INSTALLMENT

SYNOPSIS. In her apartment at the Leland Ella, daughter of Lord Ashlelgh, la murdered and the Ashlelgh diamond Necklace stolen. The New York police place the case in the hands of Sanford Quest, known and feared as the master criminologist of the world. Me takes Lenora, Ella's maid, to his own apartments and through hypnotism and the use of electro-tel-ipathlc appliances discovers her connection with the cri.ne, recovers the diamonds and arrests the murderer. Macdougal, Lenora'a husband, though nearly trap ied to his death in a tough tenement house while engaged In the work.' Lenora becomes one of Quest's assistant.!. The detective Is called th to investigate the theft of the skeleton of an ape, presented to the museum by Profe-isor Ashlelgh, brother ef Lord Ashlelgh. Macdougal escapes while on his way to prison. A string of diamonds is mysteriously stolen from Mrs. Rhelnholdt during a reception. THE POCKET WIRELESS CHAPTER VIII. Mr. Sanford Quest sat In his favorite easy chair, his cigar inclined toward the left-hand corner of his mouth, his attention riveted upon s small Instrument which he was supporting upon his knee. Ho glanced across the room to where Lenora was bending over her desk. "We've done it this time, young woman," he declared triumphantly. "It's all O. K., working like a little peach." Lenora rose and came toward him. "In that the pocket wireless?" Ho nodded. "I'vo had Morrison out at Harlem all the morning to test it' he told her. "I've sent him at least half a dozen messages from this easy chair, and got the replies. How are you getting on with the code?" t "Not so badly for a etupid person," Lenora re plied. 1 Laura, who had been busy with some papers at the farther end of the room, came over and joined them. "Say, it'3 a dandy little affair, that, Mr. Quest," aho exclaimed. "I had a try with it, a day or so ago. Jim spoke to me from Fifth avenue." "We've got it tuned to a shade now," Quest declared. "Equipped with this simple little device, you can speak to me from anywhere up to ten or a dozen miles." Quest rose to his feet and moved restlessly about the room. "Say, girls." he confessed, "this is the first time in my lifo I havo been in a fix like this. Two cases on hand and nothing doing with either of them. Criminologist, indeed! Whoce box is this?" Quest had paused suddenly in front of an oak sideboard which, stood against the wall. Occupying a position upon it of some prominence was a small black box, whoso presence there seemed to him unfamiliar. Laura camo over to his side and looked at it also in puzzled fashion. "Never saw it beforo in my life," she answered. Quest grunted. "H'm! No 'one else has been in the room, and It hasn't been empty for more than ten minutes," he remarked. "Well, let's see what's inside, anyway." He lifted off the lid. There was nothing in the Interior but a sheet of paper folded up. Quest smoothed it out with his hand. They all leaned over and read the following words, written in an obviously disguised hand: You havo embarked on a new study anthropology. What characteristic strikes you most forcibly in connection with It? Cunning? The necklace might be where the skeleton is. Why not begin at the beginning? Tho note was unsigned, but in the spot where a signature might have been there was a rough pen drawing of two hands, with fingers extended, talon fashion, menacingly, as though poised to strike at some unseen enemy. Quest, after their first moment of stupefaction, whistled softly. "The hands!" he muttered. "What hands?" Lenora asked. "The hands that gripped Mrs. Rhelnholdt by the throat," he reminded them. "Don't you remember? Hands without arms?" There was another brief, almost stupefied silence. Then Laura broke into speech. "What I want to know is," she demanded, "who brought tho thing here?" "A most daring exploit, anyway," Quest declared. "If we could answer your question, Laura, we could solve the whole riddle. We are up against something, and no mistake.' "Tho hand which placed that box here," Quest continued slowly, "Is capable of even more wonderful things. We must be cautious. Hello!" The door had opened. Thr professor stood upon the threshold. "I trust that I have done right in coming up?" he Inquired. "Quite right, professor." Quest assured him. "They know well enough downstairs that I am always at I.berty to you. Coue in." ; "I am so anxious to learn," the professor contined, eagerly, "whether there is any news of my skeleton. "Not yet, professor, I am sorry to say," Quest replied. "Como in and shut the door." "There is a young lady here," he said, "who caught mo up upon the landing. She, too, I believe, wishes to sec you " Ho threw open the door and stood on one side. A young woman came a little hesitatingly into the room. Her hair was plainly brushed back, and she Wore tho severe dress of the Salvation Army. "Want to see me, young lady?" Quest asked. She hold out a book. "My name is Miss Quiff," she said. "I want to ask you for a subscription to oar funds." Quest frowned a little. "Vory well, Miss Qulgg, you shall have a donation. I am busy today, but call at the sa-ne hour tomorrow and my secretary here shall have a check ready for you." Tho girl smiled her gratitude. Tho professor laid his hand upon her arm as she passed. "Young Jady," he observed, "you seem very much in earnest about yourvwork." "It is only tho people In earnest, sir," she anfwered, "who can do say good in the world. My work is worth being in earnest about." "You compel tny admiration my most respectful admiration. May I, too, be permitted?" Ho drew out a pocketbook and p.is.ied over toward her a little wad of notou "It is so kind of you," she murmured. "We never have any hesitation in accepting money. May 7. kiiow your name?" "It Is not necessary," the professor answered.

"Ton can enter me," he added, as he held open the door for her, "as a friend or would you prefer a pseudonym?" "A pseudonym, if you please," she begged. "We have so many who send us sums of money as friends. Anything will do." The professor glanced around tho room. "What pseudonym shall I adopt?" ho ruminated. "Shall I say that an oak sideboard gives you five hundred dollars? Or a Chippendale sofa? Or," he added, his eyes resting for a moment upon the little box, "a black box?" The two girls from the other side of the table started. Even Quest swung suddenly around. The professor, as though pleased with his fancy, nodded as his fingers played with the lid. "Yes, that will do very nicely," he decided. "Put me down 'Black Box,' five hundred dollars." The girl took out her hook and began to write; The professor, with a. little farewell bow, crossed the room toward Quiet. , Lenora moved toward the door. "Let me see you out," she said to tbe girl pleasantly. Lenora opened the door. Both girls started. Only a few feet away Craig was standing, his head a little thrust forward. For a motaent the quiet self-respect of his manner seemed to have deserted him He seemed at a loss for words. "What do you want?" Lenora demanded. "I was waiting for my master." Craig explained. "Why not downstairs?" Lenora asked suspiciously. "You did not come up with him." "I am driving the professor in his automobile," Craig explained. "It occurred to me that if he were going to be long here I should have time to go and

1-Tho Hut. Professor! The Hut . on F.rei" JM&

order another tire. It is of no consequence, though. I will go down and wait in the car." Lenora stood at the top of the stairs and watched him disappear. Then she went thoughtfully back to her work. The professor and Quest were talking at the further end of the room. "I was in hopes, in great hopes," the professor admitted, "that "you might have heard something. I promised to call at Mrs. Rhelnholdt's this afternoon." Quest shook his head. "There is nothing to report at present, Mr. Ashleigh," he announced. "Dear me," the professor murmured, "this is very disappointing. Is there no clue, Mr. Quest no clue at all?" "Not the ghost of one," Quest acknowledged. "I am as far off solving the mystery of the disappearance of your skeleton and Mrs. Rhelnholdt's necklace as I have ever been." The professor took a courteous leave of them all and departed. Lenora crossed the room to where Quest was seated. "Mr. Quest," she asked, "do you believe in inspiration?" "I attribute a large amount of my success," Quest replied, "to my profound belief in it." "Then let me tell you," Lenora continued, "that I have one, and a very strong one. Do you know that when I went to the door a few minutes ago the professor's servant, Craig, was there, listening?" "Inspector French has had his men watching Craig ever since the night of the robbery," quietly remarked Quest. "What's that? Answer the telephone, Lenora." Lenora obeyed. "It's Inspector French," she announced. "He wants to speak to you." Quest nodded and held out his hand for the receiver. "Hello, French!" he exclaimed. "Anything fresh?" "Nothing much," was the answer. "One of my men, though, who has been up Mayton avenue way, brought in something I found rather interesting this morning. I want you to come round and see It" "Go right ahead and tell me about it," Quest Invited. "You know we've been shadowing Craig," the inspector continued. "Not much luck up till now. Fellow seems never to leave his master's side. We have had a couple of men up there, though, and one of them brought in a curious-looking object he picked up just outside the back of the professor's ground's." "What is the thing?" Quest asked. "Well, I want you to see whether you agree with me," French went on. "If you' can't Conie round, I'll come to you." "No necessity," Quest replied. "We've .got; over, little difficulties of that sort. Laura, just tack on the phototelesme," he added, holding the receiver away for a moment. "One moment, French. There that's right," he added, as Laura, with deft fingers, arranged what seemed to be a sensitized mirror to the instrument "Now, French, hold up the article just in front of the receiver. There, that's right Hold It steady, I've got the focus of it

now. Say, French, where did you say that was found?" "Just outside the professor's back gate," French grunted. "But you're not kidding me " "It's a finger from the professor's skeleton you've got there," Quest interrupted. ; Quest hung up the receiver. Then he turned toward his two assistants. "Another finger from the professor's skeleton," he announced, "has been found Just outside his grounds. What do you suppose that means?" "Craig," Lenora declared confidently. "Craig on your life," Laura echoed. "Say, Mr. Quest, I've got an idea." Quest nodded. "Get right ahead with it." "Didn't the butler at Mrs. Rhelnholdt's say that Craig belonged to a servant's club up town? I know the place well. Let me go and see if I caa't loin and pick up a little information about the man. He must have a night out sometimes. Let's find out what he does. How'a that?" "Capital!" Quest agreed. "Get along. Laura. And you, Lonora," he added, "put on your hat. We'll take a ride towards Mayton avenue."

CHAPTER iX. The exact spot where the bone of the missine; skeleton was discovered, was easily located. It was about twenty yards from a gate which led into the back part of the professor's grounds. Quest wasted very little time before arriving at a decision. "The discovery of the bone so near the professor's house." hfi decided, "cannot be r.oincidencR 2 Human Yet Inhuman, a Monkey and Yet a Man. only. We will waste no time out here, Lenora. We will search the grounds. Come on." It was hard to know which way to turn. Every rath was choked with tangled weeds and bushes. They wandered about almost aimlessly for nearly half an hour. Then Quest came to a sudden standstill. Lenora gripped his arm. They had both heard the same sound a queer, crooning little cry, half plaintive, half angry. "What's that?" he exclaimed. Lenora still clung to his arm. "I hate this place," she whispered. "It terrifies me. What are we-looking for, Mr. Quest?" "Can't say that I know exactly," the latter answered, "but I guess we'll find out where that cry came from. Sounded to me uncommonly like a human effort." '-i'lThey made their way up as far as the hedge, which they skirted for a few yards until they found an opening. Then Quest gave vent to a little exclamation. Immediately in front of them was a small hut, built apparently of sticks and bamboos, with a stronger framework behind. The sloping roof was grass-grown and entwined with rushes. The only apology for a window was a queer little hole set quite close to the roof. There was a rude-looking door, but Quest, on , trying it, found it locked. They walked around the place but found no other opening. All the time from inside they could hear queer scuffling sounds. Lenora's cheeks grew paler. "Must we stay?" she murmured. "I don't think I want to see what's, inside. Mr. Quest! Mr. Quest!" She clung to his arm. They were opposite the little aperture which served as a window, and at that moment it suddenly framed the faco of a creature, human in features, diabolical in expression. "Say, that's some face!" he remarked. "I'd hate to spoil it." Even as he spoke, it disappeared. "We've got to get inside there, Lenora," he announced, stepping forward. She followed him silently. A few turns of the wrist and the door yielded. Keeping Lenora a little behind him, Quest gazed around eagerly. Exactly" fn ' front "of hfm, clad only in a loin cloth, with hunched-up shoulders, a necklace around his neck,, with P'A?ing. eyes and ugly gleaming teeth, crouched some unrecognizable creature, human yet inhuman, a monkey and yet a man. There were a couple of monkeys swinging by their tails from a bar, and a leopard chained to a staple in the ground, walking round and round in the far corner, snapping and snarling every time he glanced towards the newcomers. The creature in front of him stretched out a hairy hand toward

a club, and gripped it. Qnest drew a long breath. His eyes were set bard. "Drop that club," he ordered. The creature suddenly sprang tip. The club was waved around his head. "Drop it," Quest repeated firmly. "You will sit down in your corner. You will sleep." The club slipped from the hairy fingers. The tense frame, which had been already crouched for the spring was suddenly relaxed. They found nothing unusual until they came to the distant comer, where a huge piano box lay on its side with the opening turned to the wall. "This is where the brute sleeps, I suppose." Quest remarked. "We'll turn It around anyway." They dragged It a few feet away from the wall, so that the opening faced them. Then Lenora. gave a little cry and Quest stood suddenly atUL "The skeleton!" Lenora shrieked. "It's the skeleton!" It was a skeleton so old that the hones had turned a dull gray. Qnest glanced towards the hands. "Little fingers both missing." he muttered. "Remember the message?" she exclaimed. "Where the skeleton is, the necklace may be also." Quest nodded shortly. "We'll search." They turned over everything In the place fruitlessly. There was no sign of the necklace. "You get outside, Lenora," Quest directed. "Ill just bring this beast round again and then well tackle the professor." Quest tx: :::c.d towards the creature which cj-. died :vt;Ji kud'.'.iod up in its corner. '"Look at mc," ho ordered. Tne crtttiture obeyed. Once more its frame scernr.d to grow more virile and natural. "ou need sleep no longer, ' Quest said. "Wake up and be yourself." Tne effect of his words was instantaneous. Almost as ho spoke, tho creature crouched for a

3 It Was Mrs. Rhelnholdt's Necklace. spring. There was wild hatred in Its clcse-set eyes, the snarl of something fiend-like in its contorted mouth. Quest slipped quickly through the door. ."Anyone may have that for a pet!" he remarked grimly. "Come, Lenora, there's a word or two to be said to the professor. There's something here will need a little explanation." He "lit a cigar as they struggled back along the path. Presently they reached the untidy-looking avenue, and a few minutes later arrived at the house. Quest searched in vain for a bell. They walked round the piazza. There were no signs of any human life. They came back to the front door. Quest tried the handle and found it open. They passed into the hall. "Hospitable sort of place, anyway," he remarked. "We'll go in and wait, Lenora." They found their way to the study, which seemed to be the only habitable room. Lenora glanced around at its strange contents with an expression almost of awe. A small motor-car passed the window, driven by Craig. The professor descended. moment or two later he entered the room. He gased from Quest to Lenora at first in blank surprise. Then he held out his hands. "You have good news for me, my friends!" he exclaimed. "I am sure of it How unfortunate that I was not at home to receive you! Tell me don't keep me in suspense, if you please you have discovered my skeleton?" "We have found the skeleton," Quest announced. For a single moment the newcomer stood as though turned to stone. "My skeleton!" he murmured. "Mr. Quest, I knew it You are the greatest man alive. Now tell me quickly I want to know everything, but this first of all: Where did you find the skeleton? Who was the thief?" "We found tho skeleton, professor," Quest replied, "within a hundred yards of this house." The professor's mouth was wide open. He looked like a bewildered child. It was several seconds before he spoke. "Within a hundred yards of this house? Then it wasn't stolen by one of my rivals?" - - '1 should say not," Quest admitted,!

"Where? 'Where exactly did Ton And ttf" fS6 professor Insisted. "I found It In a hut," Quest said, "hidden ta piano box. I found there, also, a creature a hn', man being. I must call him in a state of cap tivity." "Hidden In a piano box?" the professor repeat ed wonderingly. "Why, yen xneaa la Hartooa sleeping box, then?" "If Mr. Hartoo Is the gentleman who tried to ; club me, you are right," Quest admitted. "Mr. ; Ashlelgh, before we go any further I must ask 70a ; for an explanation as to the presence of that per son in your grounds?" Tbe professor hesitated for a moment. Then ho

slowly crossed the room, opened tho drawer of small escritoire, aad drew out a letter. "Ton have heard of Sir William Rayssaore tho president of tho Royal soetotyr ho Quest nodded. "This lector to front hfm," the tinned. "Ton had eUor road ft." Tho eriminoloslst road tt aloud. over his shoulder: I To Prof. Bdrmr Ahtelgh, Mew Tor. . ' My Dear Professor: Tour communication gratifies and amazes me. I can say no more. It fell to your lot to discover tho skeleton of th. anthropoid, a marvelous thlnr. In Its way. and needing only Its corollary to form the greatest discovery since the dark area. Now you tell me that In the person of Hartoo, the last of tho Inyamo rac of South America, you havo found that corollary. Tou have supplied the missing- link. You are in a position to give to the world a definite and logical explanation of the evolution of man. Let me give you one word of warning, professor, beforo I write yon at greater length on this matt-r. Anthropologists are afflicted more, even, than any other race of scientific men. with jealousy. Guard your secret well, lest the honor of this discovery should be stolen from you. 1 WILLIAM XU.TSMORB. The professor nodded deliberately as Quest finished the letter. "Now, perhaps, you can understand," he said, "why it was necessary to keep Hartoo absolutely hidden. In a month's time my papers will bo ready. Then I shall electrify the world. I shall write not a new page but a new volume across tho history of science. I shall " The door was suddenly thrown open. Craig sprang in. no longer the self-contained, perfect man-servant but with the face of some wild crea ture. His shout was one almost of agony. "The hut professor! The hut Is on fire!" ho cried. His appearance on the threshold was like a' flash. They heard his flying feet down the hall, and without a moment's hesitation they all followed. The professor led the way down a narrow and concealed path, but when they reached tho little clearing in which the hut was situated, they were unable to approach any nearer. The placo was a whirlwind of flame. The smell of kerosene was almost overpowering. The wild yell of the leopard rose above the strange, half-human gibbering of the monkeys and the hoarse, bass calling of another voice, at the sound of which Lenora and even Quest shuddered. Then, as they came, breathless, to a standstill, they saw a strange thin.f. One side of the hut fell in, and almost immediately the leopard with a mighty spring, leaped from the place and ran howling into tbe undergrowth. The monkeys followed but they camo straight for the professor, wringing their hands. They fawned at his feet as though trying to show him their scorched bodies. Then for a single moment they saw the form of the ape-man as ho struggled to follow the others. His strength fsiled him, however. He fell backwards into tbe burning chasm. The professor bade them farewell, an hour later, on the steps of the house. He seemed suddenly to have aged. "You have done your best, Mr. Quest" he raid, "but fate has been too strong. Remember this, though. It is quite true that the cunning of Hartoo may have made it possible for him to have stolen the skeleton and to have brought it back to its hid ing-place, but it was jealousy cruel, brutal, foul jealousy which smeared the walls of that hut with, kerosene and set light to it The work of a lifetime, my dreams of scientiflo Immortality, havo vanished in those flames." He turned slowly away from them and reentered the house. Quest and Lenora made their way down the avenue and entered tho automobile which was waiting for them, almost In silence. The latter glanced toward his companion, as the drove off. "Say, this has been a bit tough for yon," ho ro marked. Ill have to call somewhere and get yon a glass o! wine." She tried to smile but her strength was almost gone. They drove to a restaurant and eat thero for some little time. Lenora soon recovered her color. She even had courage to speak of tho events of the afternoon when they re-entered tho automobile. "Mr. Quest," Lenora murmured, "who do you suppose burned the hut down?" ; "If I don't say Craig, I suppose yon will," he remarked. "I wonder whether Laura's had any luck." They were greeted, as they entered Quest's room, by a familiar little ticking. Quest smiled with pleasure. "It's the pocket wireless," he declared. "Let me take down the message." He spelled it out to Lenora, who ctood by bis side: J Have Joined Servants club disguised as yonr butler. Craig frequent visitor here ten years ago. comes now occasionally. Thursday evenings most likely time. Boast wait here ea ehaace of aortas bias, "Good girl, that," Quest rsauu-ked. "She's t rare sticker, too." Ho turned away from tho instrument and was crossing the room toward his cigar cabinet Suddenly he stopped. He looked Intently towards tho sideboard. "What is it?" Lenora asked. ! He did not answer. She followed the direction of his gaze. Exactly in the same spot as beforo reposed another but somewhat larger black box, of the same shape and material as the previous ona. "Say, who put that there?" he demanded. Lenora shook her head. "I locked the door when we went out" she as sured him. Quest took the box Into his hands and removed ; the lid. It seemed half full of cotton-wool. On the top were a few lines of writing and beneath them, the signature of the parted hands. He read tho form out slowly: Drop all investigation. The hands that retura theae Jewels command it. Quest raised the cotton-wool. ' Beneath lay Mrs. Rhelnholdt's necklace! ? , V

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