Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 40, Number 137, 22 May 1915 — Page 7

THE KICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN-TELEGRAM, SATURDAY, '

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TWELFTH INSTALLMENT

SYNOPSIS. Sanford Quest, master criminologist of the world, finds that In bringing: to Justice Macdougal, the murflerer of Lord Ashleigrh's daughter, he has but Just begun a ltfe-and-death struggle with a mysterious master criminal. In a hidden hut In Professor Aehlelgh'a garden he has seen an ape skeleton and a living creature, half monkey, half man. destroyed by fire. In his rooms have appeared black boxes containing notes, lgned by a pair of armless hands. Laura and Lenora, his assistants, suspect Craig, the professor's servant, sf a double murder. The black boxes continue to appear in uncanny fashion. Craig Is trapped, but escapes to England, where Quest, Lenora and the professor follow him. Lord Ashletgh is murdered by the Hands. Craig Is captured and escapes to Port Said, where Quest and his party also go, and beyond Into the desert. They are captured by Mongars, among whom Craig seems to be In authority, escape with Craig as their captive, nd are rescued by British troops.

'NEATH IRON WHEELS CHAPTER XXV. Side by aid they leaned over the rail of the steamer and gazed shorewards at the slowly unfolding: scene before them. For some time they had all preserved an almost ecstatio silence. "Say, but It's good to see home again!" Laura sighed at last. "I'm with you," Quest agreed emphatically. "It's the wrong side of the continent, perhaps, but I'm aching to set my foot on American Boil again." "This the wrong side of the continent! I should say not!" Laura exclaimed, pointing to where In the distance the buildings of the exposition gleamed almost snow white in the dazzling sunshine. "Why, I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life." "I gue&3 there's one of us here," Quest observed, "who is none too pleased to see America again." Lenora shivered a little. They were all grave. Quest moved slowly down the deck towards Craig's side, and touched him on he arm. "Give, me your left wrist, Craig," he said quietly. The man slunk away. There was a sudden look of horror in his white face. He started back, but Quest was too quick for him. In a moment there was the click of a handcuff, the mate of which was concealed under the criminologist's cuff. They stepped along tho deck toward the rest of the party. Lenora handed her glasses to Quest. "Do look, Mr. Quest," she begged. "There is Inspector French standing in the front row on the dock, vith two enormous bunches of flowers carnations for me, I expect, and poinsettlas for Laura. They're the larger bu..ch." Quest took the glasses and nodded. Slowly the great steamer drifted nearer and nearer to the docks, hats were waved from the little liue of spectators, ropes were drawn taut. The inspector was standing at the bottom of the gangway as they all passed down. He shook hands with everyone vigorously. Then he presented Lenora with her carnations and Laura with the poinsettias. I.enor.1, was enthusiastic. Even Laura murmured a few words of thicks. "Sorr.o fio'.vcra, those poinsetties," the Inspector iCed. Quest cringed Mm by the arm. "French," lie said, "I tell you I shall make your hair curl when yeu hear all that we've been through. Do ycu fool like haviag mo start in right away, ou our way to the cars?" French withdrew his arm. "Nothing doing," he replied. "I want to talk to Mis3 Laura. You can - tow that criminal stuff. It'll wait all right. You've got the fellow that's what matters!" Quest exchanged an amused glance with Lenora, Tho inspector and Laura fell i little behind. The former tool; off bis hat for a i-ioment and fanned himself. "nay. Miss Laura," he began, "I'm a plain man, and a poor hand at speeches. I've been saying a few nice thins3 over to myself on the dock here for the last hour, but everything's gone right out of my head. Look here, it sum3 up like this: How do you feel about quitting this bunch right away and coming with me to New York." "What do I want to go to New York for?" Laura demanded. "Oh, como on, Miss Laura, you know what I mean," French replied. "We'll slip off and get married here pnd taen take this man Craig to New York. Once get him safely in the Tombs and we'll go off on a honeymoon anywhere you say." Liura was on the point of laughing at him. Then tho unwonted seriouaness of his expression appealed suddenly to her sympathy. She patted him kindly on the shoulder. "You're a good sort, inspector, but you've picked tho wrong girl. I've run along on my own hook ever since I was born. I guess, and I can't switch my ideas over to this married stuff. You better get a m'-vc on and set Craig back to New York before he slips us again. I'm going to stay here with the bunch." i Tho Inspector eizhed. His face had grown long and the buoyancy had pasccd from his manner. They found the others waiting for them at the end of th great wooden shed. Quest turned to French. "Look here, French," he taid, ' you know I don't want to hurry you oh', but I don't know what we're polng to do with this fellow about in San Francisco. Wo don't want to lodne two charges, and we should havo to put him in jail tonight. Why don't you take him on right away? There's a limited goes by the southern ro-jte in an hour's time." French assented gloomily. "That suits me," he ugrced. "You'll be glad to get rid of tho follow, too," he added. They drove straight to the depot, found two vacant seats in the train, and Quest with a little sigh of rctiof handed over his charge. "Now for a little holiday," Quest declared, passIns Lencra's arm through his. "We'll just have a look rouai tho city and then get down to San Diego and tak a look at the exposition there. No responsibilities, no one to look after, nothing to do but enjoy ourselves.''' Quest and Lenora turned away from the window of the betel, out of which they had been gazing for tho last quarter of an hour. "It's too beautiful." Lenora sighed. Quest stood for a moment sha lng bis head. The professor with a pile of newspapers stretched out before him, was completely engrossed in their perusal. Laura, who had been sitting in an armchair at the farther end of the apartment, was apparently deep in thought. "fvay. you two aro no sort of paoplo for a holiday," Quest declared. "As for you, Laura, I can't think what come oer you. You never opened your mcut'a at dinner tiuio, and you sit there now

looking like nothing on earth but a lovesick girL "I am beginning to suspect her,' Lenora chimed in. "Too bad he had to hurry away, dear!" Laura's Indignation was not altogether convincing. Quest and Lenora exchanged amused glances. The former picked up the newspaper from the floor and calmly turned out the professor's lamp. "Look here," he explained, "this Is the first night of our holiday. I'm going to run the party and I'm going to make the rules. No more newspapers tonight or for a fortnight. You understand? No reading, nothing but frivolity. And no lovesickness, Miss Laura." "Lovesickness, indeed!" she repeated scornfully. "Having arranged those minor details," Quest concluded, "on with your hats, everybody. I am going to take you out to a cafe where they play the best music in the city. We are going to have supper, drink one another's health, and try and forget the last few months altogether." Lenora clapped her hands and Laura rose at once to her feet. The professor obediently crossed the room for his hat. "I am convinced," he said, "that our friend Quest's advice is good. We will at any rate embark upon this particular frivolity which he suggests."

CHAPTER XXVI. Quest took the dispatch which the hotel clerk handed to him one afternoon a fortnight later, and read it through without change of expression. Lenora, however, who was by his side, knew at once that it contained something startling. "What Is it?" she asked. He passed his arm through hers and led her down the hall to where the professor and Laura were Just waiting for the lift. He beckoned them to follow him to a corner of the lounge. "There's one thing I quite forgot, a fortnight ago," he said, slowly, "when I suggested that we

remember anything else until I found myself In bed." "It would indeed," the professor remarked, "be an interesting circumstance an interesting psychological circumstance, if I might put it that way--if Craig, the arch-criminal, the man who has seemed to us bo utterly devoid of all human feeling, should really have toiled in this manner to set free his captor." "Interesting or not," Quest observed, "I'd like to know whether it was Craig or not. I understand there were about a dozen unrecognizable bodies found." The nurse, who had left the room for a few minutes, returned with a small package in her hand, which she handed to French. He looked at it in a puzzled manner. "Say, what can that be?" he muttered, turning it over. "Addressed to me all right, but there isn't a soul knows I'm here except you folks. Will you open it, Miss Laura?" She took it from him and untied the strings. A little breathless cry escaped from her lips as she tore open the paper. A small black box was disclosed. She opened the lid w4th trembling fingers and drew out a scrap of paper. They all leaned over and read together: You have all lost again. Why not give it up? You can never win. "THE HANDS." Lenora was perhaps the eaiaaest. She simply nodded with the melancholy air of satisfaction of one who finds her preconceives ideas confirmed.

background and the cowboys commenced their meal. Long Jim winked at the others as he picked up a biscuit. "Cookie, you're no good," he called out "The stew's rotten. Here, take this!" He flicked the biscuit, which caught the cook on the side of the head. For a moment the man started. With his hand upon his temple he flashed a look of hatred towards his assailant. Long Jim laughed carelessly. "Say, cookie," the latter went on, "where did you get them eyes? Guess we'll have to tame you a bit." The meal was soon over, and Jim strolled across to where the others were saddling up. He passed his left arms through the reins of his horse and turned once more to look at Craig. "Say, you mind you do better tonight, young fellow. . . .Eh!" He stopped short with a cry of pain. The horse had suddenly started, wrenching at the reins. Jim's arm hung helplessly down from the shoulder. "Gee, boys, he's broken it!" he groaned. "Say, this is hell!" The cook suddenly pushed his way through the little crowd. He took Jim's shoulder firmly in one hand and his arm in the other. The cowboy howled with pain. "Let go my arm!" he shouted. "Kill him, boys! My God, I'll makes holes in you for this!" He snatched at his gun with his other hand and the cowboys scattered a little. The cook stepped

should none of us look at a newspaper all the time we were in California, Have you kept to our bargain, professor?" "Absolutely!" "And you, girls?" "I've never even seen one," Lenora declared. "Nor I," Laura echoed. "I made a mistake," Quest confessed. "Something has happened which we ought to have known about. You had better read this message or, wait, I'll read it aloud: To Sanford Quest, Garfield Hotel, San Diego. Injured In wreck of limited. Recovered consciousness today. Craig reported burned in wreck but think you had better come on. FRENCH, Samaritan Hospital, Allguez. "Say, when can we start?" Laura exclaimed , excitedly. Lenora clutched at Quest's arm. "I knew it," she declared simply. "I felt perfectly certain, when they left San Francisco, that something would happen. We haven't seen tho end of Craig yet." Quest, who had been studying a time-table, glanced once more at the dispatch. "Look here," he said, "Allguez isn't so far out of the way if we take the southern route to New York. Let's get a move on tonight." Laura led the way to the lift. She was in a state of rare discomposure. "To think that all the time we've been giddying round," she muttered, "that poor man has been lying in hospital! Makes one feel like a brute." "He's been unconscious all the time," Quest reminded her. "Might have expected to find us there when he came to, anyway," Laura insisted. Lenora smiled faintly as she caught a glance from Quest "Laura's got a heart somewhere," she murmured, "only it takes an awful lot of getting at!" . . . They found French, already convalescent, comfortably installed in the private ward of a small hospital in the picturesque New Mexico town. Laura almost at once established herself by his side. The inspector passed his hand wearily over his forehead. "It seems more like a dream or rather a nightmare than anything," he admitted. "I was sitting opposite Craig when the crash came. I was unconscious for a time. When I .came to, I was simply pinned down by the side of the car. I could see a man working hard to release me, tugging and straining with all his might. Every now and then I got a glimpse of his face. It seemed queer, but I could have sworn it was Craig. Then other people passed by. I heard the shriek of a locomotive. I could see a doctor bending over some bodies. Then it all faded away and came back again. The second time I was nearly free. The man who had been working so hard was Just smashing the last bit of timber away, and again I saw his face and that time I was sure that it was Craig. Anyway, he finished the Job. I suddenly felt I could move my limbs. The man stood up as though exhausted, looked at me, called to the doctor, and then he seemed to fade away. It might have been because I was unconscious myself, for I don't

1 "We Ain't Powerful Civilized at This Camp, but You Don't Get Our Cook Till You Show a Warrant" 2 Craig Frantically Assists in Dragging People From the Burning Car. 3 After the Wreck Another Warning.

"I knew it!" she exclaimed softly. "I knew it at the depot. Craig's time has not come yet He may be somewhere near us, even now." She glanced uneasily around the ward. Quest, who had been examining the postmark on the package, threw the papers down. "The postmark's all blurred out," he remarked. "There's no doubt about it, that fellow Craig has the devil's own luck, but we'll get him we'll get him yet. I'll just take a stroll up to police headquarters and make a few inquiries. You might come with me, Lenora, and Laura can get busy with her amateur nursing." "I shall make inquiries," the professor announced briskly, "concerning the local museum. There should be interesting relics hereabouts of the prehistoric Indians."

CHAPTER XXVII. A man sat on the steps of the range cook wagon, crouching as far back as possible to take advantage of its slight shelter from the burning sun. He held before him a newspaper, a certain paragraph of which he was eagerly devouring. In the distance the mail boy was already disappearing in a cloud of dust. FAMOUS CRIMINOLOGIST IN ALLGUEZ.

Sanford Quest and his assistants, accompanied by Prof. Lord Ashleigh, arrived in Allguez a few days ago to look for John Craig, formerly servant to the scientist. Craig has not been seen since the accident to the limited, a fortnight ago, and by many is supposed to have perished in the wreck. He was in the charge of Inspector French, and was on his way to New York to stand his trial for homicide. French was taken to the hospital, suffering from concussion of the brain, but is now convalescent The man read the paragraph twice. Then be set down the paper and looked steadily across the rolling prairie land. There was a queer, bitter little smile upon his lips. "So it begins again!" he muttered. There was a cloud of dust in the distance. The man rose to his feet, shaded his eyes with his hand and shambled round to the back of the wagon, where a long table was set out with knives and forks, hunches of bread and tincups. He walked a little farther away to the fire, and slowly stirred a pot of stew. The little party of cowboys came thundering up. There was a chorus of shouts and exclamations, whistlings and good-natured chaff, as they threw themselves from their horses. Long Jim stood slowly cracking his whip and looking down the table. "Say, boys, I think he's fixed things up all right," he remarked. "Come on with the grub, cookie." Silently the man filled each dish with the stew and laid it in its place, Then he retired to the

back, the gun flashed out, only to be suddenly lowered. Jim looked incredulously towards his left arm, which nung no longer helplessly by his side. He swung it backwards and forwards, and a Droad grin slowly lit up his lean, brown face. He thrust the gun in his holster and held out his hand. "Cookie, you're all right!" ne exclaimed. "You've done the trick this time. Say, you're a miracle!" The cook smiled. "Your arm was just out of joint,'' he remarked. "It was rather a hard pull, but it's all right now." Jim looked around at the others. "And to think that I might have killed him!" he exclaimed. "Cookie, you're a white boy. You'll do. We're going to like you here." Craig watched them ride off. The bitterness had passed from his face. Evening came and with it a repetition of his labors. When everything was ready to serve, he stepped from behind the wagon and looked across the rolling stretch of open country. There was no one iu sight. Softly, almost stealthily, he crept up to the wagon, fetched out from its wooden case a small violin, made his way to the farther side of the wagon, sat down "with his back to the wheel and began to play. Suddenly the bow rested motionless. A look of fear came into his face. He sprang up. The cowboys were all stealing from the other side of the wagon. They had arrived and dismounted without his hearing them. He Bprang to his feet and began to stammer apologies. Long Jim's hand was laid firmly upon his shoulders. "Say, cookie, you don't need to look so scared. You ain't done nothing wrong. Me and the boys, we like your music. Sing us another tune on that fiddle!" The cook looked at him for a moment incredulously. Then he realized that the cowboy was in earnest. He picked up the bow and commenced to play again. They sat around him, wondering, absolutely absorbed. No one even made a move towards the food. It was Craig who led them there at last himself, still playing. Long Jim threw his arm almost caressingly around his shoulder. "Say, cookie," he began, "there ain't never no questions asked concerning the past history of the men who find their way out here, just so long as they don't play the game yellow. Maybe you've fitted up a nice little hell for yourself somewhere, but we ain't none of us hankering to know the address. You're white and you're one of us and any time any guy wants to charge you rent for that little hell where you got the furniture of your conscience stored, why, you just let us settle with him, that's all." The interruption came from outside. "More of these d d tourists," Long Jim muttered. "Women, too!" Craig turned his head slowly. Quest was In the act of dismounting from his horse. By his side was the professor; just behind. Lenora and Laura. Long Jim greeted them with rough cordiality. "Say, what are you folks looking for?" he demanded. v , .

Quest pointed to Craig, who stood motionless. "We want that man." he announced. "This Inspector French from New York. I am Sanford Quest" There was a tense silence). Craig covered Dis face with bis hands, then suddenly looked up. "I won't, come,' he cried florceiy. "You've bound ed me all round the world. I am innocent I won't come. ' Quest shrugged bis shoulders. He took a step forward, out Long Jim, as though oy accident, sauntered in the way. "Got a warrant?" ne asked tersely. "We don't need :t,'- Quent replied. "He's our man, right enough." "Right this minute ne's our cook. ' drawled Loag Jim, "and we ain t exactly particular about going hungry just to please a bunch of strangers- Cut it short mister. It you aia't got a warrant you ain't got this man."' "All right,'' Quest agreed. "The Inspector hero and I will soon see to that. Well ride back to the township. With your permission, the ladies and our elderly friend will remain for a rest." "You're welcome to anything we've got except our cook," Jim replied, turning away. . . . Darkness came early and the little company grew closer and closer to the camp fire, where Craig had once more taken up his violin. "Don't seem to cotton to us, these boys," Laura remarked. "They don't like us," Lenora replied, "because they think we are after Craig. I wonder what Long Jim has been whispering to him, and wbat that paper is he has been showing Craig. Do you know bow far we are from the Mexican border?" "Not more than five or six miles, I believe,' Laura replied. Lenora rose softly to her feet and strolled to the back of the range wagon. In a few moments she reappeared, carrying a piece of paper in her hand. She stooped down. "Craig's saddling up," she whispered. "Lock what he dropped.' She held out the paper, on which was traced a roughly drawn map. "That line's the river that marks the Mexican border." she explained. "You see where Long Jim's put the cross? That's where the bridge is. That other cross is the camp." She pointed away southwards. "That's the line," she continued. "Laura, where's the professor?" "I don't know," Laura replied. "He rode off som time ago; said he was going to meet Mr. Quest" "If only he were here!" Lenora muttered. "I feel sure Craig means to escape. There he goes." They saw him ride off into the darkness. Lenora ran to where her horse was tethered. "I'm going after him," she announced. "Listen, Laura. If they arrive soon, send them after me.' She galloped off while Laura was still undecided. Almost at that moment she heard from be hind the welcome sound of horses' feet in the opposite direction and Quest galloped up. Laura laid her hand upon his rein. "Don't get off," Laura continued quickly. "Craig has escaped, riding towards the Mexican frontier. Lenora is following him. He's gone in that direction," she added, pointing. "When you come to the river you'll have to hunt for the bridge.' Quest frowned as he gathered up bis reins. i "I was afraid they'd try something of the sort he muttered. "Tell the others where I've gone, Laura." He galloped off into the darkness. Behind, there were some growis from the little group oi cowboys, none of wbom, however, attempted to interfere with him. Long Jim stood up and gazed sullenly southwards. "Cookie'll make the Dridge all right,' he remarked. "If the girl catches him, she can't do anything. And that last guy'll never make it. Whoop 1 ' Here come the rest ot them.'1 The inspector, with the two deputies, rode suddenly into the camp. The inspector paused to speak to Laura. Long Jim's eyes sparkled as bo saw them approach. "It's old Harris and fat Andy," he whispered. "We'll have some fun with them.' The older of the two deputies approached them, frowning. "Been at your games again, Long Jim?" he began. "I hear you declined to hand over a criminal who'd been sheltering on your ranch? You'll get into trouble before you've finished." "Got the warrant?" Jim asked. The deputy produced it. Long Jim looked at It curiously and handed it back. "Guess the only other thing you want, then, is the man." "Better produce him quickly," the deputy advised. Jim turned away. "Can't do it. He's beat it." "You mean that you've let him go?" "Let nim go?" Jim repeated. "I ain't got no right to keep him. He took the job on a moment's notice and he left at a moment's notice. There's some of your party after him, all right The hunted man turned around with a little gas?. Before him was the rude mountain bridge, and oa the other side freedom. Scarcely a dozen lengths away was Lenora, and close behind her came Quest He slackened speed a3 he walked his horse cautiously on to the planked bridge. Suddenly ho gave a little cry. The frail structure, unexpectedly insecure, seemed to sway beneath his weight. Lenora, who had been riding fast, was unable to stop herself. She came on to the bridge at a half canter. Craig, who had reached the other side in safety, threw up his hands. "Look out!" he cried. "My God!" The bridge suddenly collapsed as though it had been made of paper. Lenora, grasping her horse, was thrown into the stream. Quest galloping up. was only able to check himself just in time. He flung himself from his hcrse and plunged into the stream. It was several moments before he was able to reach Lenora. From the opposite bank Craig watched them, glancing once or twice at tho bridge. One of the wooden pillars had been sawa completely through. "Are you hurt, dear?" Quest gasped, as he drew Lenora to the bank. She shook her head. "Just my side. Did Craig get away?" Quest looked gloomily across the stream. "Craig's in Mexico, right enough," he answered 6avage!y, "but I am beginning to feel that I could fetch him back out of hell!" . (To- Be Continued.)