Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-05-26
CHAPTER XVI.

The professor reused himself from
what had apparently been a very
gloomy reverie.
We'll" he announced, Il must go
home. Il has been very kind of you,
Mr.. Quest. to keep me here for so
long"
Quest glanced at the clock.
Don't hurry, Mr. Ashleigh." he
said. I'VE may get some news at any
moment. French has a dozen men
out on the search and he has prom.
Used to ring me up Immediately he
hears anything"
The professor sighed.
"A man." he declared, "who for
twenty years can deceive his master
as utterly and completely as Craig
has done me, who is capable of such
diabolical outrages, and who. when
capture stares him in the face, is
capable of an escape such as he made
today. is outside the laws of prob
ability. Personally, do not believe
that I shall ever again see the face
OF my servant, any more than that
you, Quest, viii entirely solve the
mystery Of these murders and the
theft OF the Rheinholdt Jewels What
can we do against men who have re-
volving staireases and trolleyloads
OF river pirates Waiting for them?
You may be a scientific criminologist,
Quest, but that fellow Craig is
scientific criminal, If ever there vas
one"
Quest crossed the room towards his
cigar cabinet, and opened it. His little
/ start was apparent to both Of them.
Lenora laid down the bag which she
had just lifted up. The professor
leaned forward in his chair
What is It, Quest?" he demanded.
Quest stretched out his hand and
/ picked up from the top Of the cigars
a small black boxl He laid 1t on the
/ table.
Unless / am very much mistaken. I"
he said, sit is another communication
from our mysterious friend
'Tmpossiblel" the professor ex-
claimed hoarsely.
How can he have been here?" lie.
nora cried.
Quest removed the lid from the
box and drew out a circular card.
Around the outside edge was a very
clever pen and ink sketch of a life
buoy, and inside the margin were
several sentences OF clear handwrit-
ing. In the middle was the sigma
ture-the clenched hands, Quest
read the message aloud.
In the great scheme Of things, the
Supreme Ruler of the universe d.
vided an inheritance amongst his
children. TO one he gave power, 70
another strength, 10 another beauty,
but to his favorite re gave cunning.
They all looked at one another.
what does It mean?" Lenora
gasped.
"A Hfebuoy," the professor muir.
INJURED
! They both stared at Quest. who re
manned silent chewing hard at the
end of his cigar.
Every message" he said, speaking
half to himself has had some sig
nifcauce What does this mean-a
Hfebuoy?"
He was silent for moment, Then
he turned suddenly to the professor.
what did you call those men in the
motortruck, professor-riyer pirates?
And a lifebuoyl Wait"
| He crossed the room towards HIS
desk and returned with a list in his
hand He ran his finger down It,
stopped and glanced at the date.
The Durham" he muttered. cargo
cotton. destination Southampton, sails
at high tide on the 10th. Lepora, Is
that calendar right"
ITS the 18th. Ar Quest" she an
swered.
Quest crossed the room to the tele.
phone.
Il want number one, central" he
said. Thank you! Put me through
to Mr., French's oG9ce. Hello
French I've got an idea. Can you
come round here at once and bring
an automobile? I want to get down
TO the docks-not where the passen
| ger steamers start from--lower down
|. Good! Wen wait"
Quest hung up the receiver.
See here, professor" he continued
that fellow wouldn't dare to send
this message If he weren't pretty sure
of getting off. He's made all his
plans beforehand, but it's my belief
we shall just get our hands upon him
after all"
Pre- sently the heard the automobile
stop outside and French appeared.
Anything doing" he asked.
Quest showed him the card and the
sailing list
The inspector glanced at the clock