The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1915-05-08
CHAPTER XVI.

The professor reused himself from
what had apparently been a very
! gloomy reverle.
Well he announced, II must 20
| home. Il has been very kind of you.
Mr.. Quest, to keep me here for SO
long"
Quest glanced at the clock.
Don't hurry, Mr.. Ashleigh,' he
said. I'VE may get some news at any
moment French has dozen men
out on the search and he has prom
ised to ring me up Immediately he
hears anything"
The professor sighed
"A man. he declared, who for
twenty years can deceive his master
as utterly and completely as Craig
has done me, who is capable of such
diabolical outrages, and who, when
capture stares him in the face. is
capable Of an escape such as he made
today, is outside the laws of prob
ability. Personally, ! do not believe
that shall ever again see the face
Of my servant, any more than that
you, Quest, will entirely solve the
mystery of these murders and the
theft Of the Rheinholdt jewels. What
can we do against men who have re-
yolying staircases and trolley-loads
OF river pirates waiting for them?
You may be scientific criminologist,
Guest, but that fellow Craig is
scientific criminal. II ever there was
one."
Quest crossed the room towards his
cigar cabinet, and opened it. His little
start was apparent to both of them.
Lenora laid down the bag which she
had just lifted up. The professor
leaned forward ia his chair.
What is it. Questg' he demanded
Quest stretched out his hand and
picked up from the top of the cigars |
a small black boxl He laid it on the I
table.
unless am very much mistaken"
he said, 1T is another communication
from our mysterious friend"
impossible" the professor ex-
claimed hoarsely.
How can he have been here?" Le-
nora cried.
Quest removed the lid from the
box and drew out a circular card.
Around the outside edge was very
,leYer pen and ink sketch Of life
buoy, and inside the margin were
several sentences of clear handwrit-
ng. In the middle was the sigma
clenched hands, Quest
cad the message aloud:
In the great scheme Of things, the
Supreme Ruler of the universe d.
dded an inheritance amongst his
To one he gave power, to
mother strength, to another beauty,
'ut to his favorite he gave cunning.
They all looked at one another.
What does it mean?" Lenora
asped
"a lifebuoy!" the professor mur-
lured.
They both stared at Quest. who re-
lained silent, chewing hard at the
nd of his cigar.
Every message he said, speaking
alf to himself, has had some sig
ificance. What does this mean--a
febuoy?"
He was silent for a moment. Then
g turned suddenly to the professor.
What did you call those men in the
orortruck, professor-river pirates? I
nd a lifebuoyl Wait" :
He crossed the room towards his ,
esk and returned with a list in his I
and. He ran his finger down It,
opped and glanced at the date
"The Durham he muttered, "cargo I
'tton. destination Southampton. sails
high tide on the 10th. Lenora. is
at calendar right?" t
ITS the 10th, Mr.. Quest" she an
vered.
Quest crossed the room to the tele- q
lone. s
Il want number one, central" he Il
i'd. THANK youl Put me through
Mr. French's office. Hello, o
'enchl I've got an idea. Can you u
me round here at once and bring
automobile? want to get down o
the docks-not where the passen- G.
r steamers start from-lower down. 81
. Good, Well wait" s.
Quest hung up the receiver.
'See here. professor" he continued, cl
lat fellow wouldn't dare to send b,
Is message If he weren't pretty sure
getting of He's made all his
ms beforehand. but it's my belief h,
shall just get our hands upon him,
er ALL" in
Presently the heard the automobile th
p outside and French appeared. er
Anything doing?" he asked. III
Quest showed him the card and the an
ling list. WI
rhe inspector glanced at the clock.
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