davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-02
CHAPTER N.

The streets of New York we're COW
cred with thin, powdery snow as the
very luxurious car OF Mrs. Delarey
drew up outside the front Of the Lee
land hotel. little after midnight. Ella
leaned over and kissed her hostess.
Thank you, dear ever so much,
for your delightful dinner" she ex-
claimed, "and for bringing me home.
AS for the music, well. can't talk
about 1t. | am just going upstairs
into my room to sit and think"
The car rolled OF. Ella, a large
umbrella held over her head by the
doorkeeper. stepped up the little strip
of drugget which led into the softly
warmed hall OF the Leland. Behind
her came her maid. Lenora and Mac.
dougal. who had been riding on the
box with the chauffeur. He paused
for moment to wipe the snow from
his clothes as Ella crossed the hall to
| the left. Lenora turned toward him.
He whispered something in her ear
For a moment she shook. Then she
turned away and followed her mis-,
tress upstairs.
Arrived in her apartment, Ella
threw herself with little sigh OF con
tent into a big easy-chair before the
fire and gave herself up for few mo
ments TO reverie.
A log stirred upon the fire. She
leaned forward lazily to replace it and
then stopped short. Exactly opposite
to her was door which opened or
to back hall. 1t was used only by
the servants. Just as she was in the
act OF leaning forward Ella became
conscious OF curious hallucination.
"Lenora, come here at once"
The maid hurried in from the mex
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-02

Together they carried the sleeping
girl out Of the room into larger
apartment A single electric light was
burning on the top of square mirror
fixed upon an easel. Towards this
they carried the girl and laid her in an
easy chair almost opposite to it.
THE battery is just on the left"
Laura whispered
Quest nodded.
Give me the band"
She turned away for moment and
disappeared in the shadows When
she returned, she carried curved
band of flexible steel. Quest took it
from her. attached it by means OF a
coil OF wire to the battery, and with
firm, soft fingers slipped it on to
Lenora's forehead. Then he stepped
back
She's subject, Laura-Tm sure
of it! Now for our great experiment!
They watched Lenora intently.
"Lenora," Quest said, slowly and
firmly, your mind is full of one sub
ject. You see your mistress in her
chair by the fireside. She is toying
with her diamonds. Look again. She
lies there dead. Who was it entered
the room, Lenora? Look Look!
Gaze into that mirror. What do you
see there?"
The girls eyes had opened. They
We're fixed now upon the mirror-dis-
tended, full of unholy things
TRY harder. Lenora,' he muttered,
his own breath laboring. 1T is there
in your brain! Looki"
For single second the smooth sur
face of the mirror was obscured. A
room crept dimly like a picture into
being, a fire upon the hearth, girl
leaning back in her chair. A door
in the background opened. A man
stole out He crept nearer to the girl
Ibis eyes fixed upon the diamonds. a
thin, silken cord twisted round his
wrist. Suddenly she saw him-too
late! His hand was upon her lips,
| his face seemed to start almost from
the mirror-then blackness!
Lenora opened her eyes. She was
still in the easy-chair before the fire.
Mr.. Quest!" she faltered
He looked up from some letters
which he had been studying.
Il am so sorry" he said politely. q
really had forgotten that you were
here. But you know-that you have
been to sleep?"
Can | go now?' she asked.
| s,.I, A1t
you the truth, find that l shall not
need to ask you those questions, after
all. A messenger from the police sta
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-02

der bruised, his head swimming nv
tie. Suddenly CLEAN OF light snone
down. A trap-door above his neau
was slid few inches back. The mare
Of an electric torch shone upon MS
face. a mans voice addressed MN.
mot the great Sanford Quest? inns
surely cannot be the greatest detec-
tive in the world walking SO easily IN
to the spiders webb
"Any chance of getting out?p quest
asked laconically.
Monet" was the bitter reply.
you've done enough mischief. You're
there to rot"
why this animus against me, my
friend Macdougal?" Quest demanded.
"You and have never come up
against one another before. didn't
like the life you led in New York ten
years ago. or your friends, but you've
suffered nothing through me-.
IF let you CO. once more came
the mans voice, Il know very we'll in
what chair / shall be sitting before
a month has passed. am James Mac
dougal, Mr.. Sanford Quest, and have
got the Ashleigh diamonds, and have
settled an old grudge, if not of my own,
of one greater than you. That's all.
! A pleasant night to you'll"
The door went down with a bang.
"A perfect oubliette," he remarked
to himself, as he held match over
his head moment or two later. built
for the purpose. 1t must be the house
we failed to find which Bill Taylor
used to keep before he was shot.
Smooth brick walls, smooth brick floor,
only exit twelve feet above ones head.
human means, apparently, are useless.
Science, you have been my mistress all
my days. You must save my life now
or lose an earnest disciple"
Quest felt in his overcoat pocket
and drew out the small, hard pellet.
He gripped it in his fingers, stood
as nearly as possible underneath the
! spot from which he had been project
ed, coolly swung his arm back, and
flung the black pebble against the
sliding door The explosion which fol-
lowed shook the very ground under
his feet. For minutes afterwards
everything around him seemed to
rock. Then Sanford Quest emerged,
dusty but unhurt, and touched con-
stable on his arm.
ARREST me-" he ordered. Il am San
ford Quest. must be taken at once
to headquarters"
| They found cab without much diff
ficulty. 1t was five o'clock when they
reached the central police station.
Inspector French happened to be just
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-02

going off duty. He recognized Quest
with a little exclamation.
Got your man to bring me here"
Quest explained so as to get away
from the mob"
Say, you've been in trouble!" the
inspector remarked, leading the way
into his room.
Bit of an explosion, that's ALL"
Quest replied. Il shall be all right
when you've lent me clothesbrush."
"The Ashleigh diamonds, eh?" the
inspector asked eagerly.
Il shall have them at nine o'clock
this morning." Sanford Quest prom
ised, "and hand you over the muir
derer somewhere around midnight"
Quest slept for a couple of hours.
had bath and made leisurely toilet
AT a quarter to nine he sat down to
breakfast in his rooms.
AT nine o'clock" he told his sery-
ant, "a young lady will call. Bring
her up"
The door was suddenly opened Lee
nora walked in. Quest glanced in sur.
prise at the clock.
My fault" he exclaimed. eve ere
slow Good-morning. Miss Lenoral"
She came straight to the table She
laid little packet upon the table
Quest opened it coolly. The Ashleieh
diamonds flashed up at him. He
led Lenora to chair and rang a hell
Prepare bedroom upstairs" he
ordered. ASK Miss Roche TO como
here. Laura" he added, as his
secretary entered, will you look after
this young lady?"
A few minutes later Inspector
French was announced. Quest nodded
in friendly manner.
Some coffee, Inspectors"
I'D rather have those diamonds,n
Quest threw them lightly across fac
table. '"e
The inspector whistled.
And now, French, will you he bere
please. at midnight, with three man
ermed?" su'
"Here?" the inspector repeated
| Quest nodded.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-02
CHAPTER v.

Sanford Quest was naturally per-
son unaffected by presentiments or
nervous tears of any sort, yet, having
advanced a couple of yards along the
hallway of the house which he had
Just entered without difficulty. he came
to a standstill, oppressed with the
sense of impending danger.
Anyone here?" he asked, raising
his voice.
There was no direct response. yet
from somewhere upstairs he heard the
half-smothered cry Of a woman. He
gripped his revolver in his fingers. He
took quick step forward. The floor
gave way beneath him. He was fall
ing into blackness.
The fall itself was scarcely dozen
feet. He picked himself up. bis shout
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-02

ton has been here. He says they
have come to the conclusion that a
very well-known gang of New York
criminals are in this thing. We know
how to track them down all right"
Il may go now. them" she repeated.
with immense relief.
Quest escorted the girl downstairs,
opened the front door, blew his whis-
tie AID his car pulled up at the door.
Take this young lady," he ordered.
wherever she wishes. Goodnight"
The girl drove on Quest watched
the car disappear around the corner.
Then he turned slowly and made prep
arations for his adventure.
Number 700, New York." he NUT
tered, half an hour later, as he left
his house, Beyond Fourteenth street
Ia tough neighborhood."
He hesitated for a moment, feeling
the articles in his overcoat pocket-a
revolver in one. small piece of hard
substance in the other. Then he
stepped into his car. which had just
returned
Where did you leave the young
LADY," he asked the chauffeur.
"In Broadway. sir She left me and
boarded cross-town car"
Quest nodded approvingly.
mo finesse," he sighed
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-02
"TAE TENEMENT HOUSE MYs
Terry"
CHAPTER l..

This habit OF becoming late for
breakfast, Lady Ashleigh remarked.
az she sat down the coffee pot. is
growing upon your father ANY news.
dearg'
ELLA glanced up from pile of cor
rcspondence through which she had
beea looking little negligently
None az all. mother. MY CORE.
spondence IS Just the usual sort OF rub.
bish- invitations end gossip. Such a
lot OF invitations. by the bye"
"At your age" Lady Ashleigh de.
clared, "that is the sort OF corresponds
ence which you should find interest
ing"
You know am not like that, moth.
err. she protested my music is really
the only part OF life which absolutely
appeals 10 me. oh. why doesn't Della
rey make up his mind and let father
know. ms he promised! Here
comes daddy. mum"
Lorn Ashleigh loitered for mo-
ment 10 raise the covers from the
dishes upon side table. Afterwards
be seated himself at the table.
Il heard this morning. he said.
from your friend Delarey. Ella. He
vent into the matter very fully. The
substance OF II IL that for the first
year OF your musical trimming he ad.
Yises New York.
=. have not finished yet. This cable
gram. he went on. drawing little
slip OF blue paper from his pocket,
was brought 10 me this morning"
He smoothed II out before him and
read:
To Lord Ashieigh. Hamblln House. Dor
set. England. / find Il magnificent pro
gram arranged for at Metropolitan Opera
house this year. Have taken box for
your daughter. engaged The best profess
SCR in the world. and secured an apart
ment at tile Leland our most select and
comfortable residential hotel Understand
your brother Is still In South America. re-
turning early spring. but win do our best
20 make your daughters year Of study az
pleasant as possible. Advise her sail on
Saturday BY Aauretania.
ION Saturday, Ella almost
screamed.
j shall now" Lord Ashleigh said.
..ieave you to talk over and discuss
this matter for the rest OF the day
At dinner time tonight YOU can tell me
your decision. or rather we will dis
euss il rogether"
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-02

you will take your own maid with
you, or course" Lord Ashleigh contin-
ued. "Lenora Is good girl and am
sure she will look after you quite well,
but have decided to supplement Lee
nora's surveillance over your comfort
by sending with you, also. sort of
courier and general ttendant-whom
do you think? Well, Macdougal, He
has lived in New York for some years,
and you viii doubtless find this a
great advantage, ella"
Ella glanced over her shoulder at
the two servants who we're standing
dlscreetly In the background. Her
Dyes rested upon the pale. expressions
less face OF the man who during the
last few years had enjoyed her ia
Tiers confidence.
For a moment queer sense OF ap-
pro ension troubled her. Was It true
she wondered, that she did not like the
man? She banished the thought al
most as soon as It was conceived.
You are spelling me, daddy" Ella
sighed
III you think so now" he remarked
II do not know what you win say 70
me presently"
He laid upon the table very IA
millar morocco case. stamped with Q
coronet.
Our diamondsl" Ella exclaimed
The Ashleigh diamonds!"
The necklace lay exposed to view
the wonderful stones flashing In tn,
subdued light.
In New York." Lord Ashleigh con
tinued, 1T Is the custom to wear jew
/ elry in public more, even, than In this
country. Allow mel"
He leaned forward. With long. capa
BILE fingers he fastened the necklac,
around his daughters neck.
IT Is our farewell present to you,
Lord Ashleigh declared.
Ella, impelled by some curious i'm
pulse which she could not quite I'm
derstamd, glanced quickly around t
where the manservant was standing
For once she saw something beside
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-02
FIRST INsTALLMENT
.sANFc@o QUEST, cRIMINoLo
casT."

The young man from the West had
arrived in New York only that after
noon, and his cousin. town born end
bred, had already embarked upon the
task Of showing him the grea' city.
They occupied table in somewhat
insignificant corner Of one OF New
York's most famous roof garden res
tausants. The place was crowded
with diners There we're many nota-
bilities to be pointed out. The town
young man was very busy.
Tell me-" the country cousin In
aired, who Is the man at a table by
aimseIf2 The walters speak TO him
as though ne we're a little god. Is he
millionaire, or a judge. or WHAT"
You're in luck, Alfred" the New
Yorker declared That's the most In
teresting man in New York-one Of
the most interesting in the world.
That's Sanford Quest
s'Who's her"
sanford Quest Is the greatest mas
ter in criminology the world has ever
known He Is magician, a scientist,
the Pierpont Me gan of his profess.
sion"
SAY do you mean that he is de-
tectiveg"
Yes " he said simply, you can call
him that iust in the same way that
You could call Napoleon soldier or
Lincoln statesman. He is detec.
tive II ven like TO call him that the
master detective 10 the world"
When Sanford Quest entered his
house an hour later he glanced into
two OF the rooms on the ground floor.
IN which telegraph and telephone OPP
orators sat at their INSTRUMENTS
Then. BY means OF small lift. he as
cended to the top story and entered
large apartment wrapped In gloom
until, as he crossed the threshold, he
touched the switches OF tho electric
nights One realized then that this
was man OF taste. Quest drew VI
an easy chair 10 the wide-fung win
dow. touching bell as he crossed the
room. IN few moments the door was
opened and closed noiselessly
young woman entered with bundle
OF papers.
The criminoioglst glanced through
the papers quickly. mo further In
quiries. Laura"
She left the room almost nolselessiy
"THE TENEMENT HOUSE Mys
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-02
CHAPTER ".

There seemed to be nothing at all
original In the methods pursued by
the great criminologist when con-
fronted with this tableau of death and
robbery. His remarks to the inspec-
tor we're few and perfunctory. He
asked only few languid questions Of
Macdougal and Lenora, who were
summoned to his presence.
Macdougal then turned to leave the
room. Lenora was about to follow,
but Quest signed to her to remain.
Il should like to have little con-
versation with you about your mis-
tress," he said to her pleasantly. IF
you don't mind, will ask you to ac-
company me in my car. will send
the man back with you"
They descended In the lift together
and Quest handed the girl into lis car.
They drove quickly through the silent
streets.
In few minutes Lenora was in
stalled in an easy chair in Quests sit
ting-room,
Lean back and make yourself COM
Portable" Quest invited. as he took a
chair opposite to her. Il must just
look through these papers."
The girl did as she was told. She
opened her coat. The room was de-
lightfully warm. almost overheated. A
sense OF rest crept over her. She was
conscious that Guest had laid down
the letters which he had been pre-
tending to read. His eyes were fixed
upon her. There was a queer new
look in them. strange new feeling
creeping through her veins.
Quests voice broke an unnatural
silence.
"You are anxious to telephone some-
one" he said. you looked at both
the booths as we came through the
hotel. Then you remembered. think,
that he would not be there yet. Tele-
phone now. The telephone is at your
right hand. You know the number"
She obeyed almost at once.
Number 700. New York city
"You will ask" Quest continued,
whether he is all right whether the
jewels are safe"
There was brief silence then the
girls voice.
Are you there. James? Yes.
am Lenora. Are you safes Hays
you the jewels? Where?
You are sure that you are safe? ,
No. nothing fresh has happened"
"Ycu are at the hotel" Quest said
softly. You are going to him"
II cannot Sleep" she continued. Il
am coming to you"
She set down the receiver. Quest
leaned little more closely over her.
"You know where the jewels are
/ hidden" he said. "Tell me where?"
Her lips quivered. She made no an
swer.
Very good" Quest concluded. "You
need not tell me. Only remember this:
AT nine o'clock tomorrow morning you
will bring those jewels TO this apart.
ment. Rest quietly now.
want you to go to sleep"
She obeyed without hesitation
Quest watched. for a moment. her
regular breathing. Then he touched
a bell by his side. Laura entered al
most at once.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-02

"our fiiend,s ne said. rs going to
be mad enough to walk into hell.
even, VIXEN he finds out what he
thinks has happened"
TT wasn't any of Jimmy's lot?"
Sanford Quest shook his head.
French" he said, keep mum, but 1t
was the elderly family retainer, Mac
dougal felt restless about him.
He has lost the girf-he was married
to he1, by the bye-and the jewels.
No fear Of his slipping away. | shall
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-02

you've Had a Rough Time, Lenora."
have him here at the time [ told
you"
you've way of your own of doing
these things, Mr.. Quest" the inspec-
tor admitted grudgingly.
Mostly lucky" Quest replied .'Take
a cigar, and so long, inspector. They
want me to talk to Chicago on an
other little piece of business" i.
1t was a few minutes before mid.
night when Quest parted the curtains
of room on the ground floor of his
house in Georgia square and looked
out into the snow-white street. Then
he turned around and addressed the
figure lying as though asleep upon the
sofa by the fire.
"Lenora," he said, Fl am going out
Stay here, if you please, until re-
turn"
He left the room. For few mo-
ments there was a profound silence.
Then white face was pressed against
a
glass. A man covered with snow
sprang into the apartment. He moved
swiftly to the sofa, and something
black and ugly swayed in his hand.
so you've deceived me, have your"
he painted. Handed over the jewels.
chucked me, and given me the double
cross! Anything to say?"
Macdougal leaned forward, his
white face distorted with passion The
life-preserver bent and quiveree be.
hind him, cut the air with swish
and crashed full upon the head.
The man staggered back. The
weapon fell from his fingers. For
moment he was paralyzed. There was
no blood upon his hand, no cry
silence inhuman, unnatural! He
looked again. Then the lights flashed
out all around him. There were two
detectives in the doorway, their re-
volvers covering him-Sanford Quest,
with Lenora in the background. In
the sudden illumination MacdougaTs
horror turned almost to hystericaI
rage. He had wasted his fury upon a
DUMMY
Take him, men," Quest ordered
Hands up, Macdougal. Your numbers
up"
The handouts were upon him be-
fore he could move.
What about the young woman ?"
the Inspector asked.
Lenora stood in an attitude Of de-
SPAR, her head downcast. She had
turned a little away from MacdougaI.
Her hands were outstretched. 1t Was
as though she wera expecting the
handouts.
You can let her alone" Sanford
quest said quietly. "A wife cannot
give evidence against her husband.
and besides, l need her. She is going
to work for me.'
Macdougal was already at the door
between the two detectives. He SWUNG
around. His voice was calm almost
clear calm with concentration OF
hatred.
iou are a wonderful man, Mr..
Il
sanford Quest" he said. make the
most OF your triumph. Your time is
nearly up. there is one coming whose
wit and cunning, science and skill are
ai-conquering. He will brush YOU
away, Sanford Quest, like fly. wait
few weeks"
You interest me-" Quest 1nur-
INJURED Tell me some more about
this great master?p
1 shall tell you nothing. Macdoug-
al replied. "You will hear nothing
you viii know nothing. Suddenly YOU
VIII find yourself opposed. You viii
struggle-and then the end. II ia Ger.
They led him away. Only Lenora
remained, sobbing. Quest went up
to her.
You've had rough tilAs Lenora.
ne said, with strange gertleness.
rernaps the brighter days are COM
tTo BIZ coNTINuEDJ
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-02

the perfect automaton. His eyes, in
stead of being fixed at the back of his
masters chair, were simply riveted
upon the stones. queer little feeling
OF uneasiness disturbed ELLA for the
moment 1t passed. however, as in
glancing away her attention was once
more attracted by the sparkle of the
jewels upon her bosom.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-02
CHAPTER II.

= am 10 take it, believe" Lord
Ashleigh began after dinner that eve
King, that YOU have finally decided.
Ella. to embrace our friend DeIarsy's
suggestion and to leave us Saturday? ?"
'Ts .ou please" Ella murmured.
wir1 glowing eyes.
The Washington times., 1915-12-13
DEATHS

B1GLEY-on Monday, December 10, at . a.
m, at her residence, ~ Bryant street north :
west MARY ALICE BIGLEY. widow Of
David David X, p. Bigey, aged seventy-three
Notice OF funeral hereafter.
ohAN-on Sunday, December 12, 1915, at
i,sa. iS:Zs a. m, SARAH g.. widow OF the late
Charles II. Dean,
Funeral from her late residence 5O9
sschusetts avenue northwest, Tuesday,
december IA, at $3.50 a. M. thence to ST.
hoysius Church. where requiem mass will
pe sald for the repose OF her soul ht 0
oeiock. lnterment private.
oBRIEN-on December 10, 1916, at s a, M,
SoHN j.. oBRIEN, beloved husband Cf
y WARY oBrien, at his late residence. 500 NJ
Notice Of funeral hereafter.
oLiVER-on Saturday, December il, 1915, at
~ CLOCK. GEORGE OLIVER, of Arlington,
protner OF William Oliver, aged twenty
hve years and nine months Born in Burke
Sounnsy' ia, and will be buried Tuesday
Al z:Ss at Lemax Chapel OF Knox Station,
TUHNEH-On Saturday midnight, December
1913, at the home Of her daughter. Mrs.
seginaid y. LOCKER, 1907 Thirtieth street,
Mis-. MARY l.. TURNER, widow OF Jerfer-
son u. turner. in her seventy third year.
funeral on Tuesday at MarysviIIe, Ohio
Ohio papers please copy Is