The Washington times., 1915-03-21

took his seat by Lenora's side in the
automobile. The professor rejoined his
brother.
"Geerse;ss he exclaimed as ,,ua they q,
pointed in Mr.. Quest! I am very dis
appointed indeed. You will not believe
what ! am going to tell you, put IL is
the truth. He could not conceal II from
me. He takes no interest In my an
Neither do L." the other replied
The professor sighed as he hailed a
taxicab.
w. ARE naturally not in the frame of
mind for the consideration OF these
great subjects. Besides, you have no
scientific tendencies. But in Sanford
quest am disappointed. ] expected
his enthusiasm may say that
eI II don't think that Quest has much Of
that touality to spare" his brother re-
marked, for anything outside Of bis
own criminal hunting.
They entered the taxicab" and were
driven almost in silence to the pro.
fessor's home-a large, rambling ola
house. situated in somewhat extensive
but ili-kept grounds on the outskirts OF
New York. The Englishman glanced
around him. as they passed up inc
drive, with an expression Of disappro-
"a more untidy looking place than
yours, Edgar, never saw" he declared
Your grounds have become q jungle.
Don't you keep any ahnss gardHnersid EN- rsid serene
ly. There is something in my garden
which would terrify your nice Scotch
gardeners into fits II they found thelr
way here to do a little tidying up. Come
into the library and I'll give you one OF
my choice cigars. Here's Craig waiting
to let us in. ANY news. CRAIG?
Nothing has happened, sir" he
replied. The telephone is ringing In.
the study now, though"
Il will answer 1t myself the pro-
fessor declared. bustling off.
He hurried across the bare landing
and into an apartment which seemed
to be half museum, half library. There
were skeletons leaning in unexpected
corners. strange charts upon the vans,
a wilderness of books and pamphlets In
all manner of unexpected places, ningi-
ed with ouaintly-carved curios.~ gods
from West African temples. implements
Of savage warfare. butterfly nets. 1t
was a room which Lord Ashleish was
never able to enter without a shudder.
The professor took up the receiver
from the telephone. His 'Hello" was
mild and inquiring. He had no doubt
that the call was from some admirins
listened, however, was amazing.
George" he gasped, the greatest
tragedy in the world has happened! MY
ape Is stolen!'
His brother looked at him blankly.,
Your ape Is stolen?" he repeated.
The skeleton of my anthropod ape
the professor continued. his voice grow
ing alike in sadness and firmness. 1T Is
the curator of the museum who Is
speaking, They have Just opened the
box. 1t has lain fon two days In an
anteroom. 1t is empty"
Lord Ashlleigh muttered something
little vague. The theft of skeleton
scarcely appeared to his unscientitic
lessor turned back to the telephone,
MIR. Francis" he. said. Il cannot talk
to you. I can say nothing. ! shall come
to you at once I am ON the point or
starting. Your news has overwhelmed
He laid down the receiver He looked
around him like a man In nightmare.
The taxicnb is waiting. sir" Craig
hi'7i.
fessor pronounced. IT remember now
that I had no change with which to
pay him. must go back. LOOK art
er my brother. And. Craig, telephone
at once to Mr.. Sanford Quest. Ask
twenty minutes. Tell him that moth
ing must stand in the way. Do you
H9ar: The man hesitated. There was pro-
test in his face.
"Mr. Sanford Quest. sir?" he mutter-
ed. as he followed MS master oo"h
the hall.
fessor explained eagerly. 'Certainly!
Why do you hesitate?
'I was wondering, sir craig De-
gan.
The professor waved his servant to
DO as you are told" he ordered.
do as you are told, Craig: You oth-
ers-you do not realize. You cannot
what this means. Iell the
taxi man to drive to the museum. |
am overcome"
The taxicab man drove Off glad
enough to have a return rare. IN
about half an hours time the profes7
sor strode up the steps of the museum
was a little crowd of officials there,
whom the curator at once dismissed.
Iie rose slowly to his feet. His man
ner was Srave and bewildered.
"PTofesSor'm 'dsds he saii oox Me bsre VIII waste
He threw open the door of an ante
room behind his office. The apart
ment was unfurnished except for one
or two chairs. In the middle of the
uncarpeted floor was long wooden
box. from which the lid had just been
piled.
~ -sterday. as you know from my
note" the curator proceeded, Il was
away | gave orders that your case
should be placed here that l myself
should enjoy the distinction of open
ing it. An hour ago l commenced the
task. That is what ] found"
The professor gazed blankly at the
empty box.
Nothing left except the smell" a
voice from the open doorway re-
marked.
They glanced around. Quest was
standing there, and behind him Le-
nora. The professor welcomed them
eagerly.
This is Mr.. Quest, the great Grim
inoic gist," he explained to the cura-
tor.
Quest strolled thoughtfully around
the room, glanCing out of each of the
windows in turn. He kept close TO
the wall. and when he mad inished he
drew out a magnifying glass from his
pocket and made a brief examination
OF sthe hCS. Then he asked a few
questions of the curator, pointed out
one of the windows to Lenora and
whispered a few directions to her.
She at once produced what seemed to
be a foot rule from the bag which
she was carrying. and hurried into
tine garden.
- little invention of my own for
measuring footprints" Quest explain
ed. mo much use here, j am afraid"
What do you think of the affair so
far. MI. Quest?" the professor asked
eagerly.
The criminologist shook his head.
'Incomprehensible," he confessed.