Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 40, Number 122, 3 April 1915 — Page 7

THE RICHMOND FA1XAD1UM AND SUN-TELEGRAM. SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1915

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FIFTH INSTALLMENT

YNOP3I8. Sunforrt Qxfest, master criminologist of the world, finds that it! bringing to Justice Mscdougal, the murderer of Lord Ashlelgh's daughter, he has but just entered a life's nd-dath struggle with a mysterious master criminal. . Hi a hidden hut In Professor Ashlelgh's garden he has er. an anthropoid ape skeleton and a living Inhuman t-i'c.uure. half monkey, half man, destroyed by fire. In ' 5. In rooms at Intervals have appeared from nowhere two black boxes with sarcastlo and threatening notes signed with a pair of armless, threatening hands, representing thoae which have already figured In a diamond robbery. With his secietary, . Laura, and his assistant. Lenora, he follows the trail of Macdougal, who escaped on his way to prison, and finds Macdougal's dead body In a cave on a lonely hillside. After a thrilling escape from . two thugs who try to kill him he returns to his rooms to find his valet. Ross Brown, and a Miss Quigg murdered, and Police Inspector French Investigating. Vrench. pussled, half suspeots Quest of the crime. ON THE RACK CHAPTER XII. Fcr the moment a new element bad been introduced into the horror of the.llttle tableau. All eyes were fixed upon Quest, who bad listened to the inspector's dubious wordi with a supercilious smile upon his Hps. "Perhaps," he suggested, "roc would like to ask me a few questions?" "Perhaps 1 may feel it my duty to do so," the Inspector replied gravely. "In the first place, then, Mr. Quest, will you kindly explain the condition of your clothes?" Quest shrugged his shoulders. "Here you are, then," he replied. "This morning I decided to make an attempt to clear up the mystery of Macdougal's disappearance. I sent on my secretary. Miss Laura, to make friends with the section boss, and Lenora and I went out by automobile a little later. We instituted a search on a new principle, and before very long we found Macdougal's body. That's one up against you, I think. Inspector." "Very likely," the inspector observed. "Go on, please," "I left the two young ladies, at Miss Lenora's wish, to superintend the removal of the body. 1 myself hod an engagement to deliver over her levels to Mrs. KaeLuboldt here at midday. I returned to tvhere my automobile was waiting, started for the city and was attacked by two thugs near the section house. I got away from them, ran to the tower house to try and stop the freight, was followed by the thugs, and jumped out on to the last car from the signal arm," "Where Is your automobile?" "No idea," Quest replied. "I left It In the road. "When I jumped from the freight car I took a taxi-r cab to the professor's and called for him, as arranged." The inspector nodded. "I shall have to ask you to excuse me for a moment." he said, "while I ring up number ten signal tower. "If Mr. Quest's story receives corroboration the matter is at an end." The inspector left the room almost immediately. When be returned he was looking graver than ever. "Quest." he announced, "your alibi Is useless in fact, a little worse than useless. The operator at number ten has been found murdered at the back of the tower!" Quest started. I ought not to nave iert mm to those thugs," he murmured regretfully. "There is no automobile of yours in the vicinity," the inspector continued, "nor any news of it I think It will be as well now, Quest, for this mattar to take its obvious course. Will you, first of aJL band over her jewels to Mrs. Rheinholdt?" Quest drew the keys of the safe from his pocket, crossed the room and swung open the safe door. For a moment afterwards he stood transfixed. His arm. half outstretched, remained motionless. Then be turned slowly around. "The jewels have been stolen," he announced with unnatural calm. The Inspector laid his hand heavily upon Quest's boulder. "You will kindly consider yourself under arrest. Quest. Ladles and gentlemen, will you clear the room now, if you please. The ambulance I telephoned for is outside." The professor, who had been looking as though dazed, suddenly intervened. "Mr. French," he said earnestly, "I am convinced that you are making a great mistake. In arresting and taking away Mr. Quest you are removing from us the one man who is likely to be able to clear jup this mystery." The inspector pushed him gently to one side. I Ton will excuse me, professor," he said, "but 'this is no matter for argument. If Mr. Quest can iclear himself, no one will be more glad than I." L Quest shrugged his shoulders. "The inspector will have his little joke," he obrved dryly. "It's all right, girls. Keep coow" he Vent on, as he saw the tears in Lenora's eyes. "Come round and see me in the Tombs, one of you." I The ambulance men came and departed with their grim burden, the room on the ground floor waa locked and sealed, and the house was soon mptj except for the two girls. Toward three o'clock Lenora went out and returned with a newspaper. She opened it out upon the table and they both pored over it "'Justice Thorpe has refused to consider bail!' He' a guy, that Justice Thorpe, and so's the Idiot who wrote this stuff!" Laura exclaimed, thrroting the paper away from her. "I guess the professor was dead right when he told French he was locking up the one man who could clear up the wholi show." iA-nora' nodded thoughtfully. T e professor spoke up like a man," she agreed, "but Laura, I want to ask you something. Did you notice his servant that man Craig?" "Can't say I did particularly," Laura admitted. "Twice," Lenora continued, "I thought he was solng to faint . I tell you he was scared the whole of the time." "What are you getting at, kid?". Laura demanded. "At Craig, if I can," Lenora replied, moving toward the telephone. "Please give me the phototeleimo. I am going to talk to the professor." Laura adjusted the mirror to the instrument and Jyinora ranc up. The professor himself answered Jsv' T5 eo tb thre-5 o'clock edition, professor?" L'jntt- atkfti. 1 aaver read newuyapexf, young lady," ths projteasor wptfstf, . - .

"Let me tell you what they say about Mr. Quest!" Lenora commenced a rambling account of what she had read In the newspaper. All the time the eyes of the two girls were fixed upon the mirror. They could see the professor seated in hla chair with two huge volumes by his aide, a pile of manuscript, and a pen in hla hand. They could even catch the look of sympathy oa his face as he listened attentively. Suddenly Lenora almost broke off. She gripped Laura by the arm. The door of the study had been opened slowly,' and Craig, carrying a bundle, paused for a moment on the threshold. He glanced nervously toward the professor, who seemed unaware of his entrance. Then he moved stealthily toward the fireplace, stooped down and committed something to the flame. The relief on his face, as he stood up. was obvious. "All I can do for Mr. Quest, young lady, I win." the professor promised. He laid the receiver down and the reflection on the mirror faded away. Lenora started up and hastily put on her coat and hat. which were still lying on the chair. "I am going right down to the professor's," she announced. "What do you think you can do there?" Laura asked. "I am going to see if I can find out what that man burned," she replied. "1 will be back in an hour." Laura walked with her as far as the street car, and very soon afterward Lenora found herself knocking at the proieaor's front door. Craig admitted her almost at once. For a moment he seemed to shiver as he recognized her. "Well, young lady," the professor said, "have you thought of something I can do?" She took no notice of the chair to which he pointed, and rested her hand upon his shoulder. "Professor," she begged, "go and see Mr, Quest!

1 "If You Move I Shall Shoot You." 2 With He is in the Tombs prison. It would be the kindest thing anyone could possibly do." The professor-glanced regretfully at his manuscript, but he did not hesitate. He rose promptly to his feet. "If you think he would appreciate it, I will go at once," he decided. , Her face shone with gratitude. "That is really kind of you, professor," she declared. "I will send for my coat and we will go together, if you like," he suggested. She smiled. "I am going the other way. back to Georgia square," she explained. "No, please don't ring. I can find my own way out" She hurried from the room. Outside in the hall she paused, for a moment, listening with beating heart. By the side wall was a hat rack with branching pegs, from which several coats were banging. She slipped quietly behind their shelter. A moment or two later she heard the professor leave the house. Very cautiously she stole out from her hiding place. The hall was empty. She crossed it with noiseless footsteps, slipped into the study and moved stealthily to the fireplace. There was a little heap of ashes in one distinct spot. She gathered them up in her handkerchief and secreted it in her dress and quietly left the house. At Georgia square she found Laura waiting for her, and a few minutes afterward the two girls were examining the ashes with the aid of Quest's microscope. Among the little pile was one fragment at the sight of which they both exclaimed. It was distinctly a shred of charred muslin embroidery. Lenora pointed toward it triumphantly. "Isn't that evidence?" she demanded. "Let's ring up Inspector French!" Laura shook her head doubtfully. "Not so fast," she advised.. "French is a good sort in his way, but he's prejudiced just now against the boss. I'm not sure that this evidence would go far by Itself." "It's evidence enough for us to go to Craig, though! What we have got to do is to get a can-, fession out of him, somehow I" Laura studied her companion, for a moment curiously. "Taking some Interest in Mr. Quest, kid, ain't you?" Lenora looked up. Then her head suddenly sank into her hands. She knew quite well that her secret had escaped her. Laura patted her shoulder. "That's all right, child," she said soothingly. "We'll see him through this, somehow or other." "Laura," exclaimed Lenora, "we will save Mr. Quest and we will get hohj of Craig! I have a plan. Luteal" " ' .

CHAPTER XIII. Craig's surprise waa real enough as he opened the back door of the professor's house on the following morning and found Lenora standing oa the threshold. Lenora smiled pleasantly. "I came to this door," she said, "because I wanted a little talk with you." Craig's attitude was perfect He was mystified but he remained respectful. "Will you come Inside?" he invited. She shook her bead. "I am afraid," she confided, "of what I am going to say being overheard. Come with me down to the garage for a moment." He opened the doors of the garage, leaving the keys In the lock, and they both passed inside. "You can say what you please here without the slightest fear of being overheard, miss," Cratg remarked. Lenora nodded, and breathed a prayer to herself. She was nearer the door than Craig by about half a dozen paces. Her hand groped In the little bag she was carrying and gripped something hard. She clenched her teeth for a moment. Then the automatic pistol flashed out through the gloom. "Craig," she threatened, "if you move I shall shoot you." It seemed as though the man were a coward He began to tremble, his lips twitched, his eyes grew larger and rounder. "What is it?" he faltered. "What do you want?" "Just this," Lenora said firmly. "I suspect you to be guilty of the crime for which Sanford Quest is in prison. I am going to have you questioned. If you are Innocent you have nothing to fear. If you are guilty there will be someone here before long who will extract the truth from you." The man's face was an epitome of terror. Even

Marvellous Rapidity the Change Was Effected. his knees shook. Lenora felt herself grow calmer with every moment. "I am going outside to send a nessage," she told him. "I shall return presently." "Don't go," he begged suddenly. "Don't leave me! I am innocent I have done nothing wrong. If you keep me here, you will do more harm than you can dream of." "It is for other people to decide about your innocence," Lenora said calmly. "I have nothing to do with that If you are wise you will stop here quietly." "Have you said anything to Mr. Ashleigh, miss?" the man asked piteously. "Not a word." An expression of relief shone for a moment upon his face. Lenora pointed to a stool. "Sit down there and wait quietly," she ordered. He obeyed without a word. She left the place, locked the door securely, and made her way round to the other side of the garage the side hidden from the house. Here, at the far corner, she drew a little pocket wireless from her bag and set it on the window sill. Very slowly she sent her message: I have Craig here in the professor's garage, locked up. If our plan has succeeded, come at once. I am waiting for you. There was no reply. She sent the message again and again. Suddenly, during a pause, there was a little flash upon the plate. A message was coming to her. She transcribed it with beating heart: 0. K. Coming. The guard swung open the wicket In front of Quest's cell. "Young woman to see you, Quest." he announced. "Ten minutes, and no loud talking, please." Quest moved to the bars. It waa Laura who stood there. She wasted very little time in preliminaries. Having satisfied herself that the guard was out of hearing, she leaned as close as she could to Quest "Look here," she said, "Lenora's crazy with the idea that Craig has done these jobs Craig, the professor's servant, you know.: We used the pbototelesme yesterday afternoon and saw him bum something in the professor's study. Lenora. went up straight away and got hold of the ashes." - "Smart girl," Quest murmured, nodding approvingly. "Well?" "There are distinct fragments," Laura continued, "of embroidered stuff such as the Salvation Army girl might have been wearing. We put them on one side, but they ain't enough evidence. Lenora's idea is that you should get hold of Craig and hypnotise him into a confeasJosV

"That's an right," Quest replied, "but how am X to get hold of him?" Laura glaaoed onoe more carelessly around to where the guard stood. "Lenora's gone up to the professor's again this afternoon. 8he Is going to try and get hold of Craig and lock him In the garage. If she succeeds, she will send a message by wireless at three o'clock. It is half-past two now." "Well?" Quest exclaimed. "Well?" "You can work this guard, if you want to," Lenora went on. "I have seen you tackle worse cases. He 'seems dead easy. Then let me In the cell, take my clothes and leave me here." Quest followed the scheme In his mind quickly. "It is all right," he decided, "but I am not at all sure. that they can really hold me on the evi-

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3 "The Jewels Have Been Stolen," He Announced. dence they have got. If they can't, I shall be doing myself more harm than good in this way." "It's no use unless you can get hold of Craig quickly," Laura said. "He is getting the scares, as it is." "I'll do it," Quest decided. "Call the guard. Laura." She obeyed. The man came good-naturedly toward them. Quest looked at him steadfastly through the bars. "I want you to come inside for a moment," he said. "What for?" the man demanded. 1 want you to come Inside for a moment," Quest repeated softly. "Unlock the door, please, take the key off your bunch and come inside." The man hesitated, but all the time his fingers ' wero fumbling . with the keys. Quest's lips continued to move. The warder opened the door and entered. A few minutes later, Quest passed the key through the window to Laura, who was standing on guard. Without a word, and with marvelous rapidity, the change was effected. Laura produced from her handbag a wig, which she pinned Inside her hat and passed over to Quest. Then she flung herself on to the bed and drew the blanket up to her chin. "How long will he stay like that?" she whispered, pointing to the warder, who was sitting on the floor with his arms folded and his eyes closed. "Half an hour or so," Quest answered. "Don't bother about him. I shall drop the key back through the window." Quest reached Georgia square at five minutes to three. A glance up and down assured him that the house was unwatched. He let himself in with his own key, threw Laura's clothes off, and, after a few moments' hesitation, selected from the wardrobe a rough tweed suit with a thick lining and lapels. Just as he was tying his tie, the little wireless which he had laid on the table at his side began to record a message. He glanced at the clock. It was exactly three. Quest's eyes shone for a moment with satisfaction. Then he sent off his answering message, put on a duster and slouch bat, and left the house by the side entrance. In a few moments be was in Broadway, and a quarter of an hour later a taxicab deposited him at the entrance to the professor's house. He walked swiftly up the drive and turned toward the garage, hoping every moment to see something of Lenora. The door of the place stood open. He entered and walked around. It was empty. There waa no sign of either Craig or Lenora! ... Quest, recovered from his first disappointment stole carefully out and made a minute examination of the place. Close to the corner from which Lenora had sent her wireless message to him, he stooped and picked up a handkerchief, which from the marking he recognized at once. A few feet away the gravel was disturbed as though by the trampling of several feet. ; Ho set his teeth. "I've got to find that girl," he muttered. "Craig can go. to h 11" He turned away and approached the house. The front door stood open and he made his way at once to the library. The professor, who was sitting at his desk surrounded by a pile of books and papers, addressed him, as be entered, without looking up. "Where on earth have you been, Craig?" he Inquired petulantly. "I have rung for you six times. Have I not .told you never to leave the place without orders?" , "It is not Cralx." Quest replied quietly. ' "It is I, nMmmmr ... t .

The professor swims; round ta his Chair sad yed his visitor In blank astonishment "Quest?" he exclaimed. Oo4 bless say soul! Have) ' they let you out already, then?" - j "I came out" Quest replied grimly. "Sit tight ' and listen to me for a moment, will yomt" "You came out?" the professor repeated, loeklasj a little dazed. "You mean that you escaped T" Quest nodded.

"Perhaps I made a mistake." be admitted, here I am. Now listen, professor." And he the story of the but few hours. The professor's face was almost ptttful la Sa blank amassment His mouth was wide open Uhs a child's, words seemed absolutely deeded to He rose to bis feet, obviously a Uwmsmrtos. to adjust bis ideas. "Craig locked up la my garage?" he xei "Craig guilty of those murders? Why. sky Mr. Quest, a more harmless, a more peace-loving and devoted servant than Jotum Oralg nsver trod this earth!" ... "Maybe." Quest replied, -but where to her The professor could do aothlng hut look him a little vaguely. "I am going back." Quest announoed. chance is the wireless. If Lenora is alive or aft? liberty, she will communtaete with xae." "May I come, too?" tb professor asked thpiffly. "Come, by all. means," Quest assented. 1 wfil drive you down in your ear, if you like." . ' The professor hurried away to get hla coat and hat, and a few minutes later .they started off. Xa Broadway they left the oar at a garage and made) their way up a back street which enabled them te enter the house at the side entrance. - They passed upstairs into the sitting-room. - Quest fetched tha pocket wireless and laid it down on the table. Tha professor examined it with Interest "You are marvelous, my friend," he declared. "With all these resources of science at your command, it seems incredible that yon should he tn the position you are." Quest nodded coolly. "Just one moment professor, while I send elf a message," he said, opening the little instrument. "Where are you, Lenora?" he signaled. "Send me word and I will fetch you. I am In my Own house for the present Let me know that yon are safe." The professor leaned back, smoking1 one of Quest's excellent cigars. He was beginning' to show signs of the liveliest Interest "Quest" he said, "I wish 1 could Induce yon to dismiss this extraordinary supposition of yours eon cerning my servant Craig.. The man has been with me for the best part of twenty years. He saved my life in South America; we have traveled tn all parte of the world. He has proved himself to b exemplary, a faithful and devoted servant" "Then perhaps you will tell me," Quest suggest ed, "where he Is now. and why he has gone away? That does not look like complete Innocence, does it?" The professor sighed. "I cannot stay here much longer, unless I mean to go back to the Tombs." Quest declared. "Surely." the professor suggested, "your Innocence will very soon be established?" "There Is one thing which will happen, without a - doubt," Quest replied. "My auto and the chauffeur will be discovered. I have Insisted upon inquiries being sent out throughout the. state of Connecticut They tell me, too, that the police era hard on the scent of Red Gallagher and the other man. Unless they get wind of this and sen me purposely, their arrest will be the end of my troubles. To tell you the truth, professor," Quest concluded, "it is not of myself I am thinirtm; gg all just now. It is Lenora." The professor nodded sympathetically. Quest, for the third or fourth time, moved cautiously toward the window. His expression su denly changed. He glanced downwards, frowning slightly. An alert light flashed into his eyes. "They're after me!" he exclaimed. "Sit stflL professor." He darted into his room and reappeared again almost immediately. The professor gave a gasp of astonishment at his altered appearance. . His tweed suit seemed to have been turned inside out There were no lapels now and It was buttoned up to his neck. He wore a long white apron; a peaked cap and a chinpiece of astonishing naturalness had transformed him into the semblance of a Dutch grocer's boy. "I'm off, professor." Quest whispered. "Yon shaS hear from me soon. I have not been here, re member!" He ran lightly down the tps and Into the kitchen, picked up a basket filled It haphazard with vegetables and threw a cloth over the top. .Then he made his way to the front door, peered out for a moment swung through It on to tha step, and, turning round, commenced to belabor It with his flst Two plain-clothes men stood at the end of the street A police automobile drew up outside the gate. Inspector French, attended by a policeman, stepped out The former looked seexea lngly at Quest "Well, my boy, what are you doing here?" ha asked. "I cannot answer yet" Quest replied. In broken: English. "Ten minutes already have I wasted. I have knocked at all the doors." French smiled. "You run along home," he said, "and tell your master that he had better le. ve off delivering' goods here for the present." Quest went off, grumbling. French opened the door with a master ey and secutcd It carefully, leaving one of his v en to guard it He searched the rooms on tho ground floor and finally ascend id to Quest's study. The professor was still enjoying bis cigar. "Say, where's Quest?" the inspector asked prompUr. The professor knocked the ash from his cigar and replaced It in his month. His cUsped haada rested in front of him. There was a twinkle of something like mirth in his eyes - he glsjKod UP. at the Inspector. - v . ; "Mr. French," he said, "Mr. Sanford Quest is my . friend. I am here in charge of his brae. Beller ing as I do that his arrost was an egregious blunder, I shall say or do nothing likely to jafiori yoej any Information. " - ; ' French turned impatiently away. Suddenly , light broke in upon him; re rushed toward the "That d d Dutchie!" be exclaimed. The professor smiled benignly. v ' - - r.'i - Am...,