The Holly chieftain., 1915-04-30


tor were few and perfInetory. He
asked only few languid questions Of
Macdougal and Lenora, who were
summoned to his presence.
Macdougal then turned to leave the
room. Lenora was about to follow,
but Quest signed to her to remain.
81 should like to have a little con-
versation with you about your mis-
tress," he said to her pleasantly IF
you don't mind, will ask you to ac-
company me in my car. | will send
the man back with you"
They descended in the lift together
and Quest handed the girl into his car.
They drove quickly through the silent
streets.
In a few minutes Lenora was in
stalled in an easy chair in Quests sit
ting-room.
Lean back and make yourself COM
Portable" Quest invited, as he took a
chair opposite to her. Il must just
look through these papers"
The girl did as she was told. She
opened her coat. The room was de-
lightfully warm, almost overheated. A
sense of rest crept over her. She was
conscious that Quest had laid down
the letters which he had been pre-
tending to read. His eyes were fixed
upon her. There was a queer new
look in them. a strange new feeling
creeping through her veins.
Quests voice broke an unnatural
silence
"You are anxious to telephone some
one," he said. "You looked at both
the booths as we came through the
hotel. Then you remembered, l think,
that he would not be there yet. Tele-
phone now The telephone is at your
right hand. You know the number"
She obeyed almost at once.
Number 700. New York city"
you will ASK" Quest continued,
whether he is all right whether the
jewels are safe."
There was a brief silence then the
girls voice.
"Are you there, James? Yes
am Lenora. Are you safe? Have
you the jewels? Where?
You are sure that you are safe? .
No. nothing fresh has happened"
you are at the hotel" Quest said
softly. you are going to him"
81 cannot Sleep" she continued 81
am coming to you"
She set down the receiver. Quest
leaned little more closely over her
"You know where the jewels are
hidden" he said. "Tell me where?'
Her lips quivered. She made no an
| swer.
"Very good" Quest concluded. "You
need net tell me. Only remember this
At nine o'clock tomorrow morning yol
will bring those jewels to this apart
ment. -. Rest quietly now.
want you to go to Sleep"
She obeyed without hesitation
Quest watched, for a moment, hel
regular breathing. Then he touched
a bell by his side Laura entered al
most at once.
Together they carried the sleeping
girl out of the room into a largel
apartment. A single electric light wa!
burning on the top of square mirror
fixed upon an easel. Towards this
they carried the girl and laid her in al
easy chair almost opposite to it.
THE battery is just on the left.
Laura whispered.
Quest nodded.
Give me the band"
She turned away, for a moment ant
disappeared in the shadows. Wher
she returned, she carried a curved
band of flexible steel. Quest took i
from her, attached it by means OF {
coil of wire to the battery. and will
firm, soft fingers slipped it on tt
Lenora's forehead. Then he stepped
back.
shes a subject, Laura-I'm sure
of it! Now for our great experiment.
They watched Lenora intently.
"Lenora," Quest said, slowly ant
firmly, your mind is full of one sub
ject You see your mistress in hel
chair by the fireside. She Is toying
with her diamonds. Look again. She
lies there dead! Who was it entered
the room, Lenora? Look! Look
Gaze into that mirror. What do you
see there?"
The girls eyes had opened They
were fixed now upon the mirror-dis
tended, full of unholy things.
TRY harder, Lenora," he muttered
his own breath laboring. at is there
in your brain! Look"
For a single second the smooth sur
face Of the mirror was obscured. A
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