Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-05-05

Inspector, I am so excited at the idea
Of getting my Jewels back Isn't Mr..
Quest a wonderful NAM"
He's a clever chap. all right" the
inspector admitted. "All the same,
I'm rather sorry he wasn't able to lay
hands on the thief
That's your point OF view. OF
course" Mrs Rheinholdt remarked. y
can think of nothing but having my
diamonds back feel ougb. 20 go
and thank the professor fcs- recon-
mending Mr. Quest"
The inspector made no reply. Mrs
Rheinholdt was suddenly aware that
she was becoming ? little tactless.
''Of course, sbe sighed, 1T is dis
appointing reot 20 be able TO lay your
hands Spna the thief That is where
suppose you must find the ipterfer-
ence of an amateur like Mr. Quest a
little troublesome sometimes. He gets
back the property. which is what the
private individual wants. but he
doesn't secure the thief which IS. of
course. the real end of the case from
your point 70 view"
It's a queer affair abori these jew
els" the inspector remarked Quest
hasn't told me the whole story yet
Here we are on IT, stroke of time"
The car dre7 up outside Quests
house. The inspector assisted his
companion to alight and rang the ben
at the front door. There was a some
what prolonged pause He rang again.
Never knew this TO happen before,
he remarked. THAT sort Of secretary.
valet OF Mr.. Quest 's-Ross Brown !
think he calls him-is always on the
spot" They waited for some time
there was still no answer to their sum
mons. The inspector placed his ear 10
the keyhole. There was not a sound
to be heard He drew back, little
puzzled. At that moment his atten
ton was caught by the fiuttering of a
little piece of white materisi caught in
the door. He pulled it ONT. II was a
fragment OF white embroidery. and on
1t were several small ctains The in
spector looked at them and looked al
his fingers. His f-sce grew suddenly
grave.
Seems TO me-" he muttered. that
there has been some trouble here
shall have to take a liberty If you'll
excuse me. Mrs 3heinholdt, think il
would be better if you waited in the
car until l send out for you"
You don't think the Jewels have
been stolen again? she gasped
The inspector made no reply Re
had drawn from his pocket a little
pass key and y, as fitting it i2tS tire
| lock. The door swung open. Gnce
! more they we're both conscious OF that
peculiar silence. which seemed to have
in it some unnamable quality He
moved to the foot of the stairs and
shouted
Hello, Anyone there?"
There was no reply He opened the
doors of the two rooms on the right.
hand side. where Quest when he was
engaged in any widespread affair, kept
stenographer and a telegraph oper.
ator Both rooms we're empty. Then
he turned towards Quests study on
the left-hand side French was a man
of iron nerve No power on earth
could have kept back the cry which
broke from his lips
A few feet away from the door was
stretched the Oody Of the secretary
valet. On the other side of the room,
lying as though she had slipped from
the sofa, her head fallen on one side
in hideous fashion, was the body of
Miss Quigg. the Salvation Army young
woman French set his teeth and
drew back the curtains. In the clear
er light the disorder of the room was
fully revealed. There had been ter
rible struggle. Between whom? How ?
There was suddenly q piercing
shrek. The inspector turned quickly
around. Mrs Rheinholdt, who had dis
regarded his advice, was standing on
the threshold.
Inspector" she cried What has
happened? Oh, my God"
She covered her face with her
hands. French gripped her by the
arm. At that moment there was the
sound Of an automobile stopping out
side.
Keep quiet for a moment" the in
spector whispered in her car. Pull
yourself together, madam. Go to the
other end of the room. Don't look.
Stay there for a few moments and
then get home as quick as you can"
She obeyed hip. mutely, pressing
her hands to her eyes, shivering in
every limb. French, stood back inside
the room. lie heard the front door
open. he beard Quests voice outside.
Where the devil are you. Ross?"
There was no reply
The door was pushed open. Quest
entered, followed by the professor and
Craig. The inspector stood watching
their faces. Quest came to a stand