Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-07-22
TWELFTH lNSTALLMENT.
CHAPTER XIV.
MEATH IRON WHEELS.

Side by side they leaned over the
rail of the steamer and gazed shore
wards at the slowly unfolding scene
before them. For some time they had
all preserved an almost ecstatic ST.
lence.
Say, but it's good to see home
again!" Laura sighed at last.
I'm with you" Quest agreed en-
phatically. Its the wrong side Of
the continent, perhaps. but I'm aching
to set my foot on American soil again.
This the wrong side of the con.
tinent! should say mott" Laura ex.
claimed. pointing to where in the dis
lance the buildings of the exposition
cleaned almost snow white in the daz-
cling sunshine. why, have never
seen anything so beautiful in my life.
"I guess there's one of US here,
Quest observed. who is none too
pleased to see America again"
Lenora shivered little. They were
all grave.
Quest moved slowly down the deck
towards Craig's side, and touched him
on the arm.
Give me your left wrist, Craig" he
said quietly.
The man skunk away. There was q
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 the deck to-
wards 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, with two
enormous punches of fowers-carna
tons for me, expect. and poinsettias
for Laura They're the larger bunch"
Quest took the glasses and nodded
Slowly the great steamer drifted
nearer and nearer to the docks, hats
were waved from the little line 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 pre-
scented Lenora with her carnations and
Laura with the poinsettias. Lenora
was enthusiastic. Even Laura MUIR
INJURED few words of thanks.
Some flowers, those poinsettlas,"
the inspector agreed.
Quest gripped him by the arm.
French" he said, 81 tell you shall
make your hair curl when you hear all
that we've been through. Do you feel
like having me start in right away.
on our way to the cars?"
French withdrew his arm.
Nothing doing he replied. IT
want to talk to Miss Laura. You can
stow that criminal stuff. It'll wait all
right You've got the fellow-that's
what matters!"
Quest exchanged an amused glance
with Lenora. The inspector and Laura
fell little behind. The former took
of his hat for moment and famed
himself.
/. Say, Miss Laura" he began. I'm
a plain man, and poor hand at
speeches rye been saying few nice
things over to myself on the dock here
for the last hour. but everything's
gone right out of my head. Look
here, 1t sums 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, come on. Miss Laura. you know
what I mean." French replied. Wen
slip OF and get married here and then
take this man Craig to New York.
Once get him safely in the Tombs and
we1l 60 of on honeymoon anywhere
you say"
Laura was on the point Of laughing
at him Then the unwonted serious
ness of his expression appealed sud
denly to her sympathy. She patted
him kindly on the shoulder.
You're a good sort, inspector, but
you've picked the wrong girl. I've run
along on my own hook ever since I
was born, | guess, and I can't switch
my ideas over to this married stun.
You better get move on and get
Craig back to New York before he