Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1915-04-09
FIFTH INSTALLMENT
ON TIE RACK.
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
For the moment q new element had
been introduced into the horror Of the
little tableau. AL eyes were hxed upon
Quest. who listened 70 the inspectors
dubious words with = supercilioos
smile upon his lips
Perhaps he suggested. you would
like 10 ask ne q few Quesrons.~
Perhaps ! may feel il ny duty TO
do 50. the inspector replied gravely.
'ln the first place, then, Nj Quest
viu you kindly explain The condition
OF your clo1hes!
Quest sSS-@SEed his shoulders.
Here You Ire, then be replied.
'This morning ! deoiesd 10 make an
attempt 70 clear up the mystery of
Msodougai's 6isappearance- ] sent on
ny secretary, Miss Laura 10 make
friends with the section boss. and
Lenora and went oui BY automobile
6 little later. We Instituted se2Tch
o. a new principle, and before very
long we found Maodougals body.
That's one up agains; you, think. il
spee;or."
Very likely the inspector OBJ
served Go cn. please"
I left the two young ladies. az Miss
Lsnora's wish. 10 superiatead the re-
noval Of the body ] myself had an
engagement 10 deliver over her Jew
els 10 Mrs Rheinhoidi here at mid
day. returned to where my Autono-
bile was waiting. started for the city
and was attacked By two thugs near
the section house. got away from
them. ran 10 the tower house 10 Try
and stop the freight was followed BY
the thugs. and jumped out O. 70 the
last car from the signal arm
Where is your sutonohi,e?"
"No idea" Quest replied. ! left It
in the road When Jumped from the
freight car ! took q tsxicab 70 The pro
fessor's and called fer hin. Is a.
ranged
4 Tke !-spector nodded.
. y shall have 10 ask you to excuse
ne for q moment" he said while
ring ~ number ter signal tower. II
Mr Quests story receives oovroboiA-
tiol the matter is AZ an end
The Inspector left The room almost
Immediately.
When he returned be vas looking
Graver than ever.
Quest, he announced. your abb
IS useiess--il lsct. q Little worse than
useless. The operator a. uu,-beT ten
has been found murdered a. the back
q the ioEeTl"
Quest started
I ought rct 70 have left him 10
these thugs lie uurEured regret
fully
There IS 20 automobile e yours IL
tie yiclniiy- The inspector continued
"ncT any news q d. ] think il VII Be
as vel uow. Quest- foT tbs matter 20
take is ohvious course. WIZ you.
FIRST of all hand over her Jewels 70
Mrs Rhelnho.5tt"
Quest drew IRE keys ot TIE safe
f-cn his pocket crossed the room and
swung open the safe door. For a no
reut afterwards he stood trans1Ied
his arm. hzlf CutE-retched. remained
no1onless. Thea he turned slowly
around
The jewels have been stolen" be
announced with unnatural calm.
The inspector laid his hand heavily
upon Quests shoulder.
"You VIII kindly consider yoursel.
under arrest. Quest Ladies and gen
tlenen. viii you clear the room now
IL you please The ambulance ] tele
phoned for is outside"
The professor. who had been look
ing as though dzzed. suddenly inter
vened.
M French" he said earnestly, =
an convinced that yoa are making I
great mistake. In srresting and tax
ing away Mr.. Quest you are removing
from Us the one nan who Is likely q
be able to clear up this mystery"
The inspector pushed him gently
20 one side.
You VIII excuse ne. professor" h'
said. but this is no matter for srgu
ment II Mr.. Quest can clear himself
no one viii be more glad than l.
Quest shrugged his shoulders
''The inspector win have his IIttl'
5oke." he observed dryly. Its al
right. girls. Keep cool" be went on
as he saw the tears in LenorA's eyes