Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-08-05
FIFTEENTH INsTALLMENT
CHAPTER xxxv.

The nrst shock was over Craig'a
body had been removed, and the xirla
had taken Mary. halt stunned with
grief. TO their room. French and
Guest were ieft alone.
THAT ID some disappointment
the former remarked. sIoomily.
IT ID disappointment, Quest
said, slowly, (which may clear the
way 10 bigger things"
What's In your mind nowf' French
inquired
Guest shook hts head
"A turmoil. First OF oil, where ID
the professor"
Must have scooted right away
home French suggested. SEic was
looking pretty sick all the time Guess
II must have been a powerful shock
for him, ard he Isn't so young as he
used To be-
Give me that paper OF craig's
again Quest asked
The inspector produced the docu-
ment from his inner pocket and
Quest. stretching Ii out upon his knee.
read X word for word.
Never To communicate or to have
anything to do with anyone Of the
name OF Ashleigh, eh?" he remarked.
as he handed II back again. Rather
queer provision. that. French"
I've been thinking that myself. the
inspector admitted.
Guest glanced at the clock.
SWELL" he said, III you're ready,
inapector. we'll DO getting along.
The two men drove to the outskirts
OF tho city almost In silence. The
professors house seemed more than
ever deserted as they drew up at the
front door. They entered without
ringing and crossed the hall towards
the library. On the threshold Quest
paused and held up his finger,
Someone Ia In there. he whispered.
stepping quickly forward, "Ccme!"
He threw open the door. The room
wss empty, yet both Quest and French
were conscious OF . curious convic.
tion that II had been occupied with.
In the last few seconds
"Queer. but 1t seemed to me heard
someone. French muttered.
II was sure OF It," Quest replied
They stood still for moment and
listened. The silence In the empty
house was almost unnatural, Quest
turned away with shrug OF the
shoulders.
AT any rate" he said, "Craig's dy
Ing thoughts must have been truth
ful. Come"
He led the way TO the fireplace
went down on his knees and passed
his hands over the bricks The thirt
one he touched, shook. He tappet
it-~without a doubt II was hollow
With his penknife he loosened Til.
mortar little and drew II out easily
The back was open Inside was tn,
black box.
.craig's secret Mt last!' French
muttered. hoarsely. Bring 1t to tn,
Hight. Quick!"
They were Unconditional men. but tn,
moment was supreme. The key h
the mystery OF these tragicai week.
was there In their hands! Their eye
almost devoured those few hastil
scrawled words buried with 90 mucl
care:
Sec Page sc, January Numbe,
American Medical Journal, 1905.
They looked ut one another. The
repeated vaguely this most common
place OF messages. Az the final resul
OF their strenuous enterprise, thes
cryptic words seemed pitifully mad,
Quate Quests face darkened. II
crumpled the paper In HIS fingers.
~There must be some meaning 1
this. he muttered. 1T can't be alt,
gether FOOLS game we're on. Wait
He moved towards a table whic
usually stood against the wall, b,
which had obviously been dragge
out recently into the middle OF I'd
room. II was covered with bour
volumes. Quest glanced at one an
exclaimed softly:
American Medical Journal. 1901
French. there's something In this me
sage. after ALL
He turned over the pages rapid
Then he came to stop. Page
was there: page So had been neatl
removed with 4 pair OF scissors.
The professor!" he cried. eth
professors been at work hera!'
Tho two men stood looking at on
another across the table. STRAINS