Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1915-05-06
FIFTH lNsTALLMENT
ON THE RACK.
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
i For the moment new element hat
be0n introduced into the horror Of tn,
little tableau. Ali eyes were fixed upo1
Quest, who listened to the Inspector
dubious words with q supercilioul
smile upon his lips.
Perhaps" he suggested, you woult
like to ask me q few Questions?"
perhaps may feel it my duty tc
do co." the inspector replied gravely
''In the first place, then, Mr.. Quest
viii you kindly explain the condition
Of your clothes?"
Quest shrugged his shoulders.
Here you are, them" he replied
''This morning / decided to make an
Attempt to clear up the mystery Of
Maedougal's disappearance. ! sent on
my secretary. Miss Laura, to make
friends with the section boss, and
Lenora and went out by automobile
q little later. We instituted a search
on new principle. and before very
long we found Macdougal's body.
That's one up against you. think. In
spector."
very likely" the inspector OBJ
served. go on, please"
Il left the two young ladies, at Miss
Lenora's wish, to superintend the re-
moval Of the body. myself had an
engagement to deliver over her jew.
els to Mrs. Rheinholdt here at mid
day. / returned to where my automo-
bile was waiting. started for the city
and was attacked by two thugs near
the section house. I got away from
them, ran to the tower house to try
and stop the freight, was followed by
the thugs, and jumped out on to the
last car from the signal arm"
Where is your automobile"
mo idea," Quest replied. Il left 1t
In the road. When jumped from the
freight car took q taxicab to the pro-
fessor's and called for him. as ar.
ranged"
The inspector nodded.
II shall have to ask you to excuse
me for q moment" he said, while !
ring mp number ten signal tower. II
Mr.. Quests story receives corrobora.
ton the matter IL at an end"
The inspector left the room almost
Immediately.
When he returned he was looking
graver than ever.
Quest" he announced. "your abb
II useless-in fact, Q little worse than
useless. The operator at number ten
has been found murdered at the back
of the tower!"
Quest started.
II ought not to have left him to
those thugs" he murmured regret.
fully.
There IL NO automobile Of yours in
the vicinity" the inspector continued.
''noe any news Of Il. think 1t will be.
a. well now, Quest. for this matter to
take its obvious course. VIII you,
Arst Of all. hand over her jewels to
MtS. Rheinhcldtf"
Quest drew the keys Of the safe
from his pocket. crossed the room and
swung open the safe door. For q mo
ment afterwards he stood transfixed.
His arm. half optstretched. remained
motionless. Then he turned slowly
around.
"The Jewels have been stolen" he
announced with unnatural calm.
The inspector laid his hand heavily
upon Quests shoulder.
you viii kindly consider yourself |
under arrest, Quest. Ladies' and gen.
tlemen. win you clear the room now,
II yeu please. The ambulance / tele |
phoned for Is outside"
The professor. who had been look.
ing a. though dazed. suddenly inter
vened.
mfr. French" he said earnestly, I'll
am convinced that you are making .
great mistake. In arresting and tax.
ing away Mr. Quest you are removing
from us the one man who Is likely to
be able to clear up this mystery"
The inspector pushed him gently
b one side.
you WIN excuse me, professor" he
said. hut this is NO matter for argu.
ment. II Mr.. Quest can clear himself, |
no one win be more glad than l."
Quest shrugged his shoulders.
THE inspector viii have his little
Joke" he observed dryly. IT'S eli
right. girls. Keep COOL" he went on.
u he saw the tears In Lenora's eyes.