The Washington times., 1915-03-28


NH favorite easy chair, his cigar
lvl inclined toward the left-hand
corner of his mouth, his at
tcntioh riVeted upon a small instrument
which he was supporting upon his knee.
He glanced across the room to where
Lenora was bending over his desk.
We've done it this time, young wom-
an he declared triumphantly. ITS
all o. X, working like a little peach
Lenora rose and came toward him.
rs that the pocket wireless"
He nodded.
i've had Morrison out at Harlem all
the morning to test it, he told her.
I've sent him at least half a dozen
messages from this easy chair. and got
the replies. How are you getting on
with the code?"
Not SO badly for q stupid person."
Lenora replied.
Laura, who had been busy with some
papers at the farther end of the room,
came over and Joined them.
Say, it's a dandy little affair. that
Mr.. Quest she exclaimed. II had a
try with 1t, a day or so ago. Jim spoke
to me from Fifth avenue"
We've got it tuned to a shade now"
Quest declared. Equipped with this
simple little device, you can speak to
me from anywhere up to ten or dozen
miles,
Quest rose TO his feet and moved rest
lcssly about the room.
Say, girls he confessed. this is the
first time in my life | have been in a
fix like this. Two-eases on hand and
nothing doing with either of them
Criminologst, indeed. Whose box is
this?'
Quest had paused suddenly in front of
an oak sdeboard which stood against
the wall. Occupying a position upon it
OF some prominence was a small black
box, whose presence there seemed to
him unfamiliar. Laura came over TO
his side and looked al it also in puzzled
fashion.
Never saw it before in my life" she
answered. Say, kid. is this yours?'
she added. turning to Lenora.
Lcnora shook her head She, too cx-
amined it Il little wonderingly
1T wasn't there a short time ago.
brought a dustcr and went over the
sideboard myself
Quest grunted.
HIM. No one else has been in the
room, and it hasn't been empty for moro
than ten minutes" he remarked. We'll,
lets see what's inside, anyway"
Just be careful, MI. Quest" Laura
advised II don't get that box at an
Quest pushed it with his forctingcr.
No bomb inside. anyway" he re-
marked. Here goes"
He lifted off the lid. There was moth
ing in the interior but a sheet of paper
folded UP. Quest smoothed it out with
his hand. They all leaned over and
read the following words, written in an
obviously disguised hand:
You have embarked on a new study
anthropology. What characteristic
strikes you most forcibly in connection
with it? Cunning? The necklace might
be where the skeleton is. Why not be-
sin at the beginning?'
The note was unsigned. but in the
spot where signature might have been
there was q rough pen drawing of two
hands, with fingers extended, talon
fashion, menacingly. as though poised
to strike at some unseen enemy. Quest,
after their first moment of stupefa ction,
whistled softly.
The hands" he muttered
What hands, LcnOra asked.
Tho hands that Srippcd Mrs. Rhcin-
holdt by the throat" he reminded them.
Don't you remember? Hands without
arms"
There was another brief, almost stupc-
ned silence. Then Laura broke into
speech
What I want to know is" she de-
manded, who brought the thing here"
"A most daring exploit, anyway"
Quest declared. IF VIC could answer
your question, Laura, VIC could solve the
whole riddle. We arc up against some
thing, and no mistake"
Lenora shiVered Il little. The mystery
of the thing terrified her, the mystery
which only stimulated her two COM
panions.
'-Tha hand which placed that box
mere" Quest continued slowly, is cap
able of even more wonderful things. We
must be cautious. Hello
The door had opened. The professor
stood upon the threshold.
Il trust that have done right in COM
ins up?" he inquired.
quite right, professor Quest assured
him. They know we'll enough down.
stairs that | am always at liberty to
you. Come in"
II am so anxious to learn, the pro-
fessor continued eagerly, whether there
is any ncws-of my skeleton"
Not yet. professor. l am sorry to
say" Quest replied. Come In and shut
the door
There is a young lady here he said,
who caught me up upon the landing
She, too, l believe, wishes to see you"
lie threw open the door and stood on
one side. 4 young woman came a lit
tie hesitatinGly into the room. Her
hair was plainly brushed back, and she
wore the severe dress Of tho Salvation
Amy.