The Huttig news., 1915-06-12


 Inspector am so excited at the idea of getting my jewels back. Isn't MT. Quest a wonderful man?"
 Hes clever chap, all right" the inspector admitted. All the same, lm rather sorry he wasn't able to lay hands on the thief"
 That's your point of view, of course" Mrs. Rheinholdt remarked q can think of nothing but having my diamonds back. ] feel I ought to go and thank the professor for recon mending Mir. Quest"
 The inspector made no reply. Mrs. Rheinholdt was suddenly aware that she was becoming little tactless.
 "Of course" she sighed, it is dis appointing not to be able to lay your hands upon the thief. That is whore l suppose you must find the interfer ence of an amateur like MT. Quest a little troublesome sometimes He gets back the property. which is what the private individual wants. but he doesn't secure the thief, which is. of course. the real end of the case from your point of view
 Its queer affair about these jew els the inspector remarked Quest hasn't told me the whole story yet Here We are on the stroke of time,"
 The car drew up outside Quests house. The inspector assisted his companion to alight and rang the bell at the front door. There was a some what prolonged pause He rang again.
 Never knew this to happen before" he remarked. That sort of secretary valet Of MT Quest s-Ross Brown l think he calls him-is always on the spot. They waited for some time there was still no answer to their sum
 mons. The inspector placed his ear to l the keyhole There was not a sound ? to be heard. He drew back, little
 puzzled. At that moment his atten Q tion was caught by the fiuttering of 2 l, little piece of white material caught II the door. He pulled It out It was g ] fragment of white embroidery. and oD 1t were several small stains The in spector looked at them and looked at his fingers. His face grew suddenly grave
 Seems to me" he muttered, "that there has been some trouble here. shall have to take liberty. If you'll excuse me, Mrs Rheinholdt I think fl would be better if you waited in the car until l send out for you
 You don't think the jewels have been stolen again?" she gasped.
 The inspector made no reply. He had drawn from his pocket littlt pass key and was fitting it into tht lock- The door swung open. Once more they were both conscious of tha peculiar silence, which seemed to havt fl. it some unnamable quality. H, moved to the foot of the stairs anC shouted.
 Hello! Anyone there?"
 There was no reply. He opened the doors 0 the two rooms on the right hand side, where Quest, when he was engaged in any widespread affair, kept a stenographer and a telegraph oper ator Both rooms were empty. Then he turned towards Quests study on the left-hand side. French was man of iron nerve. No power on earth could have kept back the cry which broke from his lips.
 few feet away from the door was stretched the body of the secretary valet. On the other side of the room
 lying as though she had slipped from the sofa, her head fallen on .one side in hideous fashion, was the body of r Miss Quigg, the Salvation Army young | cat drew back the curtains. In the clear } CT light the disorder of the room was fully revealed. Thefe had been a ter rible struggle. Between whom? How :? There was suddenly piercing shriek. The inspector turned quickly [ around Mrs Rheinholdt, who had dis
 regarded his advice, was standing on l the threshold.
 f Inspector" she cried. What has
 happened? Oh, my God!" : She covered her face with hel 3 hands. French gripped her by the arm. At that moment there was the sound of an automobile stopping out side
 l Keep quiet for a moment" the in
 spector whispered in her car Pull
 yourself together, madam. Go to the
 other end of the room. Don't look Stay there for few moments and 3 then get home as quick as you can" She obeyed him mutely, pressing
 her hands to her eyes, shivering in every limb. French. stood back inside 5 the room. He heard the front door ] open, he heard Quests voice outside 5 Where the devil are you. Ross?"
 There was no reply.
 5 The door was pushed open. Quest
 entered, followed by the professor and ' Craig. The inspector stood watching i. their faces. Quest came to a stand