The Huttig news., 1915-05-29
SECOND lNsTALLMENT.
1.-THE HIDDEN HANDS"
CHAPTER VI.

WHAT Ell VI.
 Sanford Quest and Lenora stood side by side upon the steps of the courthouse, waiting for the automobile, which had become momentarily entan- gled in a string of vehicles. A little crowd of people were elbowing their way out on to the sidewalk. The faces of most of them were still shadowed by the three hours of tense drama from which they had just emerged Quest, who had lit cigar, watched them curiously.
 "No need to go into court" he re- marked. q could have told you, from the look of these people, that Mac dougai 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 ble enough" Lenora whispered. shud dering.
 Cant see the sense of keeping such a man alive myself" Quest declared. with purposeful brutality. Tt was a cruel murder. fiendishly committed"
 They were on the point of crossing the pavement toward the automobile when Quest felt touch upon his shoul 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. 'I will be there in moment"
 T would not have stopped you just now. MT. Quest,s 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 MT. Quest, Edgar. You may remember my brother-Professor Ash leigh-as 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 appurtenances of manhood.
 T am very proud to make your ac- sd6dih, PiolCoSOi, RuCot said. Glad to know. too, that you hadn't forgotten me-"
 My dear sir" the professor de- clared. as he released the others hand with seeming reluctance, T have thought about you many times. Your doings have always been of interest to me-"
 q am soryy," Quest remarked. that our first meeting here should be un- der such distressing circumstances"
 The professor nodded gravely.
 If you'll excuse me. professor" said Quest, q think must be getting along. We shall meet again, l trust"
 "One moment" the professor begged. eagerly. Tell me. MT. Quest-I want your honest opinion. What do you think of my ape?"
 "Of your what?" Quest inquired dubiously.
 "Of my anthropoid ape which have just sent to the museum. You know my claim? But perhaps you would pre- fer to postpone your final decision un- til after you have examined the skele- ton itself"
 A light broke in upon the criminol- ogist.
 "Of course!" he exclaimed. For the moment. professor. l couldn't fol- low you You are talking about the skeleton of the ape which you brought home from South America, and which you have presented to the museum here?"
 Naturally" the professor assented. with mild surprise. "To what else? l am stating my case, MT Quest, in the North American Review next month; l may tell you. however. as fellow scientist. the great and absolute truth. My claim is incontestible. My skeleton will prove to the world. with out doubt the absolute truth of Dar- wins great theory"
 That so?"
 You must go and see it." the pro- lessor insisted You shall be permit ted a special examination"
 "Very kind of you" Quest mur- mured.
 We shall meet again soon hope" the professor concluded cordially. 'Good-morning, Mr. Quest!"
 The two men shook hands and Quest took his seat by Lenora's side in the automobile. The professor rejoined his brother.
 They entered the taxicab and were driven almost in silence to the profes- sor's home-a large, rambling old house, situated in somewhat extensive but ill-kept grounds on the outskirts Of Nrou, vorl, rba Ey.gliehman glanced