Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-21

"StoIen There in the Conservatory"
An affair so unusual as this might at
tract him. IoH will excuse M"
The professor met the great crimiu-
ologist and his assistant in the hall
upon their arrival He took the for
mer at once by the arm.
MIR. Quest" he began. lin a sense
| must apologize for my peremptory
message. | am well aware that an or
binary jewel robbery does not inter
est you, but in this case the circum-
stances are extraordinary. ventured,
therefore, to summon your aid"
Sanford Quest nodded shortly.
AS a rule" he said Il do not care
TO take up one affair until have Il
clean slate. There's your skeleton
still bothering me. professor. How
ever, where's the lady who was
robbed?"
Il will take you to her" the profess
sor replied
Mrs. RheInholdt's story. by frequent
II,
coherent, a trifle more circum9tantial.
the perfection of simplicity and utter
iy incomprehensible. Quest listened to
| it without remark and flnall.' made
his way to the conservatory. He re-
| quested Mrs Rheinholdt to walk with
him through the door by which she
had entered and stop at the precise
spot where the assault had been made
/ upon her. There were one or two
! plants knocked down from the tiers
on the right-hand side. and some dis
! turbance in the mold where some large
palms were growing Quest and Lee
nora together made a close investi-
cation of the spot Afterwards. Quest
walked several times to each OF the
doors leading into the gardens.
/ There are four entrances alto
/ gether," he remarked, as he lit cigar
and glanced around the place. Two
lead into the gardens-one is locked
and the other isn't-one connects with
the back C the house-the one through
which you came, Mrs. Rheinholdt, and
/ the other leads into your reception
room. into which you passed after the
assault | shall now be glad II you
will permit me to examine the gardens
outside for few minutes, alone with
my assistant, if you please"
For almost a quarter of an hour
Quest and Lenora disappeared, They
all looked eagerly at the criminologist
on his return.
1T seems to me-" he remarked,
that from the back part of the house
the quickest way to reach Mayton ave.
nue. would be through this conserva-
tory and out of that door. This is a
path leading from just outside straight
/ to a gate in the wall. Does anyone
that you know of use this means OF
1 exit?"
Mrs. Rheinholdt shook her head.
1.-The servants might occasionally, y
she remarked doubtfully, but not on
nights when ! am receiving"
The butler stepped forward. He was
looking little grave.
Il ought. perhaps, to inform you
madam, and Mr. Quest" he said, that
| did, only a short time ago, suggest
to the professors seryant-the man
who brought your macintosh. sir" he
added, turning to the professor-"that
he could. IL he chose. make use of this
means of leaving the house MIR Craig
is a personal friend of mine, and a
member Of a very select little club we
have for social purposes"
Did he follow your suggestion?'
Sanford Quest asked.
"Of that ! am not aware, sir" the
butler replied Il left Mr.. Craig with
some refreshment. expecting that he
would remain until my return, but a
few minutes later | discovered that he
had left l will inquire in the kitchen
If anything is known as to his move.
ments."
He hurried Off Quest turned to the
professor.
Has he been with you long, this
man Craig, professor" he asked.
The professors smile was iIlumlnat.
ing, his manner simple but convincing.
Craig" he asserted. zig the best
! servant, the most honest mortal who
ever breathed. He would go any dis
lance out OF his way to avoid barming
fly. I cannot even trust him to pro
cure for me the simplest specimens OF
insect LIFE. Apart from this. be is a
man of some property. which he has
no idea what TO do with. He is, /
think / may say, too devoted to me to
dream of ever leaving my service.
you think it would be out of the
question, then" Quest asked, ito asso-
ciate him with the crime?"