The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-08-27

The woman shrieked. The butler sud-
denly sprang upon the last man to en-
ter and sent him spinning down the
steps. Almost at that instant there
was a scream from upstairs. Quest
took running jump and went up the
stairs four at time. The butler, who
had 80 far defied arrest, suddenly
snatched the revolver from Hard
aways hand and fred blindly In front
of him, missing Quest only by an inch
| or two.
Don't be fool, Karl!" the woman
called out. The games up. Take IL
quietly"
Once more the shrek rang through
the house. Quest rushed to the door
| Of the room from whence 1t came, tried
the handle, and found 1t locked. He
ran back a little way and charged it.
From inside he could hear turmoil OF
voices White with rage and passion,
he pushed and kicked madly. There
| was a shot from inside, bullet came
through the door within an inch of his
head, then the crash of broken crock
cry and mans groan. With a final
effort Quest dashed the door In and
staggered into the room. Lenora
was standing In the far corner, the
front Of her dress torn and blood upon
her lips. She held revolver in her
hand, and was covering a man whose
head and hands were bleeding. Around
him were the debris of broken jug.
"Mr. Questi" she screamed. Don't
go near him-rve got him covered.
I'm all right"
. Quest drew long breath. The man
who stood glaring at him was well
dressed and still~young. He was I'M
armed, however, and Quest secured
him in q moment.
1.-THE girls mad!" he said sullenly.
mo one wanted to do her any harm"
Hardaway and his men came troop
ing up the stairs. Quest relinquished
his prisoner and went over to Lenora.
'Ive been so frightened" she
sobbed. "They got me in here-they
: told me that this was the street in
which my aunt lived-and they
, wouldn't let me go. The woman was
, horrible. And this afternoon this man
/ came. The brute!"
Quest turned to Hardaway.
'Tll take the young lady away" he
said. "You know where to find US.
Lenora had almost recovered when
they reached the hotel. Walking up
and down they found the professor
my friend" he exclaimed-"Mr
Questl 1t is the devil incarnate
, against whom we fight"
! What do you mean?" Quest de
manded.
The professor wrung his hands.
IT put him in our James II pris
: on" he declared. "Why should
, think Of the secret passage? Nc
one has used it for hundred years
! He found it, learned the trick"
You mean" Quest cried
, HE has escaped" the professor
J, broke in. Craig has escaped again
, They are searching for him high ant
: low. but he has gone!'
Quests arm frightened for moment
in Lenoras. 1t was curious how ht
seemed to have lost at that momen
all sense of proportion. Lenora wal
: safe the relief OF that on
= thought overshadowed everything els
: in the world
: 1.-THE fellow can't get far" he NUT
: tered.
!, who knows?" the professor re
= piled, dolefully.
;. They had been standing together II
= little recess Of the hall. Suddenl
Lenora, whose face was turned to
ward the entrance doors, gave a littl
d cry. She took quick step forward
le LAURA" she exclaimed. wonder
ingly. why, it's Laural"
u They all turned around. A youn
IL woman had just entered the hote
followed by q porter carrying som
u luggage. Her arm was in sling an
10 there was bandage around her fore
head. She walked. too. with the hel
le of stick. She recognized them 9
IL once and waved it gayly.
"Hullo, you peoplei" she criet
IN Soon run you to earth, eh?"
o. They were for a moment dun
founded. Lenora was the first to fin
~ words. But when did you star
ut Laura?" she asked. Il thought yo
IN were too Ill to move for weeks"
The girl smiled contemptuously.
st II left three days after you, on tn
n, Kaiser Frederic" she replied. "Ther
H. was some trouble at Plymouth, an