The Holly chieftain., 1915-06-25
0o0yTlght lslK b Otis D. Wood
NINTH INsTALLMENT
CHATTER Xxx.
LOST IN LONDON.

LOST IN LONDON.
Quest, Notwithstanding the unusual
nature of his surroundings. slept that
night as only tired and healthy man
can. He was awakened the next morn
ing by the quiet movements OF = man
servant who had brought back his
clothes carefully brushed and pressed.
breakfast IL served at nine O'Clock,
cir. 1t ID now half.past eight"
'I'll be right there"
The man withdrew and Quest made
Q brisk toilet. The nameless fears Of
the previous night had altogether dis
appeared. At the last moment he
stretched out his hand to taxa hand
kerchief from his satchel. A sudden
exclamation broke frnm his lips He
stood for moment - though turned
to stone. Before him. ON the top OF
the little pile Of white cambric, was
small black box! With . movement
Of the fingers which was almost me-
chanical. he removed the lid and drew
out the customary little scrap Of %
per. He smoothed It out before him
ON the dressing case and read the mes
sage:
''You win fan here - you have
failed before. Better 80 back. Thsrs
is more danger for you IN this country
than you dream of."
His teeth came flercely together and
his hands were clenched. His thoughts
had gone like . Dash to Lenora. Was
It possible that harm was intended for
her? He put the idea away from him
almost q soon q conceived. The
thing was imaginable. Craig was
here. must be here. In the close VI
cinity Of the house.
The atmosphere Of the pleasant
breakfast sroon 70 which II due cpurs1
10 descenAsd, Maa cheerful enough.
Lady Ashleigh hAd alfeady taken her
place ct the head of the table.
She touched IN electric bell under
her foot and 4 moment Or two later
the butler appeared.
Go up and zee how long your mas
ter viii be!" Lady Ashisigh directed.
''yery good. your ladyship.
The man was backing through the
doorway IN his usual disnifed manner
when he was suddenly pushed ON one
side. The valet who had waited upon
Quest, and who was Lord Ashleigh's
own servant, rushed into the room.
He almost shouted TO Lady Ashieigh:
"Your ladyship the master! Some
thing has happened! He won't move!
-har''
They MI trooped out OF the room
and up the stairs, the professor lead
Ing the way. They pushed open the
door Of Lord Ashleigh's bedchamber.
n the far corner Of the largs room
WA the four poster, and underneath
the clothes q silent figure. The pro
fessor turned down the sheets Then
he held out his hand. His face, too.
was blanched.
Julia, don't come" he begged.
II must know" she almost shrieked.
/ must knowi"
George Il dead. the professor said
slowly.
They had led Lady Ashleigh from
the room. The professor and Quest
stood face 20 face. The formers ex-
preston, however. had lost all his
amiable serenity. His face was white
and pinched.
Quest! Quest!" he almost sobbed.
my brother! George, whom loved
like nobody else on earth! Is he real
II dead7"
Absolutely"
The professor gripped the oak pillar
Of the bedstead. He seemed on the
point Of collapse.
"The mark Of the Hands is upon
his throat" Quest pointed out.
''The Hands! oh, my God!" the
professor groaned.
The butler made an apologetic ap-
pearance. He spoke in hushed whis-
per.
'.You are wanted downstairs, gentle
men. Middleton. the head keeper. is
there"
Az though inspired with common
idea, both Quest and the professor hur-
ried out of the room and down the
broad stairs. Their inspiration was
. true one. The gamekeeper vel
coined them with smile or triumph.
BY his side. the picture Of abject mis-
cry. his clothes torn and muddy. was
Craig!
"How did you get him?" Quest de-
nanded.
Little idea Of my own.' the game