Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1915-08-06
CHAPTER xxxIv.

The professor, who was comfort
ably seated in Quests favorite easy
chair, glanced at his watch and shook
his head
Il am afraid, my friend" he said
that Craig's nerve has failed him A
voluntary surrender was perhaps too
much to hope for.
Quest smoked for a moment in 81.
lence.
His servant entered bearing note
This was left a few minutes ago,
SIR" he announced, by messenger
boy. There was no answer required ?
The man retired Quest unfolded
the sheet of paper His expression
suddenly changed
Listen" he exclaimed.
To Sanford Quest:
Gather your people In Professor
AshIeigh's library at ten o'clock to.
night. will be there and tell you my
whole story. JOHN CRAIG.
The professor sat for moment
speeches.
Then he meant 1t, after all" he
exclaimed at last.
Seems like it" Quest admitted "I'll
Just telephone to French"
The professor rose to his feet
knocked the ash from his cigar, strug
gled into his coat and took up his hat
Then he waited until Quest had com.
pleted his conversation. The latter's
face had grown grave and puzzled 1t
was obvious that he was receiving in
formation of some importance He
put down the instrument at last with
a curt word of farewell
The professor moved towards the
door
If only this may prove to bs the
end" he sighed.
Quest spent the next hour or so in
restless deliberations There were
still many things which puzzled him
At about quarter past nine Lenora
and Laura arrived, dressed for their
expedition.
I'm afraid we are in for bad
thunderstorm, girls, Quest remarked
Laura laughed
who cares? The automobiles
there, Mr.. Quest"
Let's go, then" he replied
They descended into the street and
drove to the professors house in 81
lence. Even Laura was feeling the
strain OF these last hours of anxiety
On the way they picked up French
and a plain-clothes man and the whole
party arrived at their destination Just
as the storm broke. The professor
met them in the hall He, too, seemed
to have lost to some extent his Gus
tomary equanimity.
Come tins way, my friends, he in
yited II Craig keeps his word, he
will be here now within few min
utes This way"
They followed him into the library
Chairs were arranged around the table
in the middle OF the room and they
all sat down The professor took out
his watch 1t was five minutes to
ten
in few minutes he continued
solemDly, this weight is to be lifted |
from the minds of all of us have come
to the conclusion that on this occa
sion Craig will keep his word | am
not sure, mind, but | believe that he |
is in the house at this present moment.
| have heard movements in the room
which belonged to him have not /
interfered. have been content to
wait"
He has at least not tried escape,
Quest remarked, French here brought .
news Of him. He has been living with .
his niece very quietly, but without
any particular attempt at concealment
or any signs of wishing to leave the
city"
Il had that girl brought to my office,
French remarked, barely an hour ago,
but she slipped away while we were
talking Say, what's that"
They all rose quickly to their feet,
In momentary lull OF the storm they
could hear distinctly girls shrill
llinn fcId f1Ilpuyal AZ !
clamor of angry voices.
Gee! bet that's the girl" French
exclaimed Shed been looking up
the professors address In a directory
They all hurried out into the hall
The plainclothes man whom they had
left on guard was standing there with
his hand upon Craig's collar The
girl, sobbing bitterly, was clingng to
his arm. Craig was making desperate
efforts to escape Directly he saw the
little party issue from the library, how
ever, the strength seemed to pass from
mis- limbs He remained in the clutches
of his captor limp and helpless
Il caught the girl trying to make her
way into the house the latter ex-
planned. She called out and this man
zane running downstairs, right into
ny arms
1T is quite all right the professor
said, In a digniied tone. you may
'elease them both. Craig was on his
way to keep an appointment here at
EN- o'clock Quest, will you and the
bring him in? Let US re-
Iume our places at the table"