The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-06-12
CHAPTER Xxxv,


CHAPTER xxxv.
The first shock was over. Craig's body had
been removed. and the girls had taken Mary. half
stunned with grief to their ROOM French and
Quest were left alone.
This is some disappointment" the former re-
marked, gloomily.
(which may clear the way to bigger things"
whats IN your mind uow7" French inquired.
Quest shook his head.
"A turmoil. First Of ALL where IL the professor?"
"Must have scooted right away home" French
suggested HE was looking pretty sick all the
time. Guess It must have been a powerful shock
for him. and he isn't young as he used to be-"
"Give me that paper Of Craigs again." Quest
asked. stretching out his hand.
The inspector produced the document from his
inner pocket and Quest, stretching 1t out upon his
knee. read it word for word.
Never to communicate to have anything
to do with anyone Of the name Of Ashleigh. eh?"
he remarked as he handed It back again Rather
q queer provision, that, French"
i've been thinking that myself" the inspector
admitted. Seems to be rather reversing the po-
sitions. doesn't it,"
Quest glanced at the clock
'"Well" he said, 'if you're ready, inspector. wen
be getting along"
The two men drove to the outskirts of the city
almost in silence. The professors house seemed
more than ever deserted as they drew up at the
crossed tho hall towards the library. On the
threshold Quest paused and held up his finger
Someone is in there" he whispered stepping
quickly forward. Gomez"
He threw open the door. The room was empty,
yet both Quest and French were conscious of
curious conviction that it had been occupied within
the last few seconds. French even shook out the
curtains and swung open the doors Of q bureau.
There was no sign of anybody however. nor any
evidence a. to how they could have left the room.
Queer, but It seemed to me I heard someone"
french muttered.
II sure of It," Quest replied, shaking the
curtain at the back of the door.
They stood still for q moment and listened. The
silence In the empty house was almost unnatural.
Quest turned away with a shrug Of the shoulders.
AT any rate" he said, "craig's dying thoughts
FAUST have been truthful Come"
He led the way to the fireplace. went down on
his knees and passed his hands over the bricks.
The third one he touched shook He tapped it
without doubt it was hollow. With his penknife
he loosened the mortar a little and drew 1t out
easily. The back was open. Inside the
black box.
"Craig's secret at last" French muttered,
hoarsely. Bring It to the light, quick!"
They were International men, but the moment
was supreme. The key to the mystery Of these
tragical weeks was there in their hands! Their
eyes almost devoured those few hastily scrawled
verde buried with much care:
See page e2, January number, American Medical
Journal, 1905.
they looked at one another. They repeated
vaguely this most commonplace Of messages As
the final result Of their strenuous enterprise these
cryptic words seemed pitifully inadequate Quests
fac~ darkened He crumpled the paper in his
nngava.
There must be some meaning in this" he NUT
tered. 1T can't tie altogether FOOLS game we're
on. Wait"
FIe moved towards table which usually stood
against .thc wall, but which had obviously been
dragged out recently into the middle OF the room
It. vas covered with bound volumes. Quest glanced
q: ore and exclaimed softly:
American Medical Journal, 1905! French
there's something in this message after ALL"
He turned over the pages rapidly. Then he
cap.e to = stop Page 81 was there; page 81 had
be., neatly removed with a pair Of scissors.
The prc:essor!" he cried "The professors
o,et at wofe here!"
The two men stood looking at another
acroas the table. Strange thoughts were framing
.rapnselves in the brains Of both Of them Then
:nere startling and in its way dramatic
irte;lude. Through the empty house came the
:-nsi:.g OF the electric bell from the front door,
ahrE ard nsistent. Without moments hesita-
ton. Quest hurried and French followed him.
On the doorstep was another surprise Lenora and.
Lsurs were .acre tho former carrying a small.
blackboard volume.
"Den't 10 cross" she begged, quickly. I'VE just
bad :: cci,e. Look! We picked this up under
meath the chair where Craig was sitting. 1t must
havc slipped from his pocket. You what is
written on it'-D!ary Of John Craig"
Quest took II in tis hand
Say. this ougrt be interesting he remarked.
"Come along"
They passed into the library. French fingered
behind for E1ar.ent and caught them up just as
, they were openrs tho book underneath the cleo
trio lamp
Seq here wha: I've found" he exclaimed. 1T
WIS just ny the side o: the wall there Where's
that maxe.ioe?"
He spread out u. piece of paper-it fitted ex-
, actly into the empty space They all read to-
sethcy:
Professor Asn,eloh, .sse- being bitten by the an.
s>-NA hNh1 - 81
Gus nature. Afs@- treatment With new serum
ehs paAl-A saa saiaasad ct the hydroPheble symp-