The Spectator., 1915-11-05
TWELFTH INSTALLMENT.
CHAPTER xxV.
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 si- lence.
 Say, but it's good to see home again.' Laura sighed at last.
 I'm with you" Quest agreed em- 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, l should say not!" Laura ex- claimed, pointing to where in the dis tance the buildings of the exposition gieamed almost snow white in the dag aling sunshine. Why, I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life
 q 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 slunk away. There was 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, MT. Quest" she begged. "There Is Inspector French standing in the front row on the dock, with two enormous punches of fiowers-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 pdSS6u uOWns ne ouOOh uduuo Wilu everyone vigorously. Then he pre- sented Lenora with her carnations and Laura with the poinsettias. Lenora was enthusiastic, Even Laura mur- mured a few words of thanks.
 Some flowers, those poinsettias," the inspector agreed.
 Quest gripped him by the arm.
 French, he said, 'I 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 "T 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 I.enora The inspector and Laura fell I little behind The former took off yfis hat for a moment and famed Y himself.
 Say, Miss Laura he began, "I'm a plain man. and poor hand at speeches I've been saying a 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 1 want to go to New York for?" Laura demanded.
 "Oh, come on, Miss Laura. you know what mean French replied. We'll slip of and get married here and then take this man Craig to New York. Once get him safely in the Tombs and we'll go of on a honeymoon anywhere you say
 Laura was on the point of laughing ! at him. Then the unwonted serious ness of his expression appealed sud i. denly to her sympathy. She patted E him kindly on the shoulder 4 You're a good sort, inspector, but N l.you've picked the wrong girl. I've run ' aplong on my own hook ever since .s vas born, I guess. and cant switch Thy ideas over to this married stun. You better get . move on and get Craig back to New York before he