The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-09
SECOND lNsTALLMENT.
1.-THE HIDDEN HANDS,"
CHAPTER vi.

OdulOIu klueSL anu 1G1OT6 StOOu
side by side upon the steps Of the
courthouse, waiting for the automobile,
which had become momentarily entan-
gled in string Of vehicles. little
crowd Of people were elbowing their
way out on to the sidewalk. The faces
of most of them were still Swallowed
by the three hours of tense drama
from which they had just emerged.
Quest, who had Lit cigar. watched
them curiously.
mo need to go into court" he re-
marked. Il could have told you, from
the look of these people. that Mac
dougal had escaped the death sentence.
They have paid their money-or rather
their time, and they have been cheated
OF the one supreme thrill"
Imprisonment for life seems terri
BILE enough Lenora whispered, shud
dering.
Cant see the sense of keeping such
a man alive myself" Quest declared.
with purposeful brutality. ut was a
cruel murder, fiendishly committed"
They were on the point of crossing
the pavement toward the automobile
when Quest felt touch upon mis- shout
der. He turned and found Lord Ash
leigh standing by his side. Quest
glanced towards Lenora.
run and get in the car" he whis-
pered. Il will be there in moment"
Il would not have stopped you Just
now, Mr.. Quest" said Lord Ashleigh.
"but my brother is very anxious to re-
new his acquaintance with you. think
you met years ago"
Sanford Quest held out his hand to
the man who had been standing lit
tie in the. background. Lord Ashleigh
turned towards him.
This is Mr. Quest, Edgar You may
remember my brother-Professor Ash
leigh-as a man of science, Quest? He
has Just returned from South Ameri
ca"
The two shook hands. curiously di
verse in type, in expression. in all the
Eppurtenances of manhood.
81 am very proud to make your &C
quaintance again, professor" Cues
said. "Glad to know. too. that yo'
hadn't forgotten me-"
my dear SIR the professor de
clared. as he released the others han'
with seeming reluctance, Il hav'
thought about you many times. You
doilgs have always been of interes
to me-"
II am sorry" Quest remarked, tina
our first meeting here should &c IN
der such distressing circumstances!
The professor nodded grayely.
IF youn excuse me, professor" sal
Quest, 81 think must be getting alons
We shall meet again. ! trust"
"One moment" the professor begged
eagerly. Tell me. Mr.. Quest-l wan
your honest opinion. What do 20
think of my ape?"
"Of your what?" Quest inquire
obviously.
"Of my anthropoid ape which hay
Just sent to the museum. You kno
my claim? But perhaps you would pr
fer to postpone your final decision u
til after you have examined the skei
ton itself"
A light broke in upon the criminc
ogist.
"Of coursel" he exclaimed. "F'
the moment, professor, couldn't Il
low YOU. You are talking about Il
skeleton of the ape which you brougl
home from South America, and wni'
YOU have presented to the museu
here?"
Naturally" the professor assente
with mild surprise. TO what else.
am stating my case, Mr.. Quest, In q
North American Review next mont
may tell you, however, as feile
scientis., the great and aosolu
truth. Ny claim is incontestibie. \
skeleton will prove to the world, VII
out a doubt, the absolute truth oil "
wins great theory"
THAT so?'
"You must go and see It," the p
fessor insisted. You shall be perm
ted a special examination.
Every kind OF you" Quest IN
INJURED.
ave shall meet again soon. | hop
the professor concluded eoruiAi
"cood.morning. Mr.. Quest!
The two men shook hands and ou
took his seat by Lenora's side IN
automobile. The professor recon-
HIS brother.
They entered the taxicab and v,
drives almost in silence to me pro-
sor.s home--a large. rambling
house. situated In somewhat extens
but ill-kept grounds on the ou'sAiiss
~, Wy Tns EnglishmAn CLAM