The Holly chieftain., 1915-05-07

the study now, though"
Il will answer 1t myself" the -profes-
sor declared. bustling Off
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 admiring
disciple. The change in his face as
he 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 anthropoid
ape" the professor continued. his voice
growing alike in sadness and firmness.
1T is the curator of the museum who
is speaking. They have just opened
the box. 1t has lain for two days in
an anteroom. 1t is empty!"
The professor turned back to the
telephone.
"Mr. Francis" he said, II cannot
talk to you. can say nothing.
shall come to you at once. am on
the point Of starting. Your news has
overwhelmed me-
He laid down the receiver. He
looked around him like man in
nightmare.
THE taxicab is waiting, SIR" Craig
reminded him.
That is most fortunate" the pro-
fessor pronounced. 81 remember now
that had no change with which to
pay him. l must go back. Look aft
er my brother. And, Craig, telephone
at once to Mr.. Sanford Quest. Ask
him to meet me at the museum in
twenty minutes Tell him that moth
ing must stand in the way. Do you
| hear?"
The taxicab man drove off, glad
enough to have return fare. In
about half an hours time the profes-
sor strobe up the steps of the museum
and hurried into the Office There was
little crowd of officials there, whom
the curator at once dismissed. He
rose slowly to his feet His manner
was grave and bewildered.
Professor" he said, I'VE will waste
no time in words. Look here!"
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
| pried
Yesterday, as you know from my
note" the curator proceeded, Il was
away. l gave orders that your case
| should be placed here that l myself
should enjoy the distinction of open
ing it. An hour ago 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
inologist," he explained to the curator.
Quest strolled thoughtfully around
the room, glancing out of each of the
windows in turn. He kept close to
the wall, and when he had finished
he drew out magnifying glass from
his pocket and made brief examina-
tion of the box. Then he asked few
questions of the curator, pointed out
one Of the windows to Lenora and
whispered few directions to her.
She at once produced what seemed to
/ be foot rule from the bag which she
was carrying, and hurried into the
4 garden.
"A little invention of my own for
measuring footprints" Quest ex-
planned. mot much use here, l am
afraid"
Quest stood over the box for mo-
ment or two and looked once more
| out of the window. Presently Le-
nora returned. She carried in her
hand a small object, which she
brought silently to Quest. He glanced
at it in perplexity The professor
peered over his shoulder
1T is the little finger!" he cried
the little finger of my ape!"
Quest held it away from him criti-
cally.
From which hand?" he asked
The right hand
Quest examined the fastenings Of
the window before which he paused
during his previous examination He
turned away With a shrug of the
shoulders.
See you later, Mr.. Ashleigh," he