The Spectator., 1915-07-30
|, SECOND lNSTALlMENT.
1.-THE HIDDEN HANDS,"
CHAPTER VI.

Sanford Quest and Lenora stood 0lde by side upon the steps of the courthouse, waiting for the automobile, which had become momentarily entan- Sled in string of vehicles. A little crowd of people were elbowing their way out on to the sidewalk. The faces of most. of them were still shadowed by the three hours of tense drama from which they had just emerged. Quest, who had lit cigar, watched them curiously.
 "No need to go into court" he re- marked. 'I could have told you, from the look of these people, that Mac dougal had escaped the death sentence. They have paid their money-or rather their time. and they have been cheated of the one supreme thrill"
 Imprisonment for life seems terri hle enough" Lenora whispered, shud- dering.
 Cant see the sense of keeping such . man alive myself" Quest declared. with purposeful brutality. Tt was a cruel murder, fiendishly committed"
 They were on the point of crossing the pavement toward the automobile when Quest felt a touch upon his shoul- der. He turned and found Lord Ash leigh standing by his side. Quest glanced towards Lenora.
 Run and get in the car" he whis- pered. "I will be there in a moment.
 I would not have stopped you just now, Mir. Quest" said Lord Ashleigh. -'but my brother is very anxious to re- new his acquaintance with you. think You met years ago"
 Sanford Quest held out his hand to the man who had been standing lit tie in the background. Lord Ashleigh turned towards him.
 ..s.This is Mir. Quest, Edgar, You may remember my brother-Professor Ash leigh-as a man of science. Quest? He has just returned from South Ameri- e."
 The two shook hands, cautiously di- verse in type. in expression, in all the appurtenances of manhood.
 'I am very proud to make your 'ac- quaintance again. professor" Quest said. Glad to know. too, that you hadn't forgotten me"
 My dear sir" the professor de- clared, as he released the others hand with seeming reluctance, T have thought about you many times. Your doings have always been of interest to me-"
 'I am sorry." Quest remarked. that our first meeting here should be un- der such distressing circumstances"
 The professor nodded gravely. ', If you'll excuse me, professor" said Quest, "I think must be getting along. We shall meet again, l trust"
 One moment" the professor begged, eagerly. Tell me. Mir. Quest-I want your. honest opinion. What do you think of my ape?"
 ''Of your what?" Quest inquired cubiously.
 2, "Of my anthropoid ape which l have just sent to the museum. You know my claim? But perhaps you would pre- fer 10 postpone your final decision un- til after you have examined the skele- ton itself"
 A light broke in upon the criminol- ogist.
 "Of eourse!" he exclaimed For the moment. professor. l couldn't fol, low you. You are talking about the sheleton of the ape which you brought home from South America, and which you have presented to the museum here?"
 Naturally" the professor assented, with mild surprise. ITO what else? am stating my case. Mir Quest, in the North American Review next month; T may tell you, however, as q fellow scientist, the great and absolute tru1A My claim is incontestible. My skeleton will prove to the world. with out doubt, the absolute truth of Dar- wins great theory"
 "That so?"
 You must 60 and sec it." the pro lessor insisted. You shall be permit ted special examination"
 ''very kind of you" Quest mur- mured
 !. We shall meet again soon. l hope" the professor concluded cordially 'Good-morning, Mir. Quest!"
 The two men shook hands and Quest took his seat by Lenora's side in the automobile. The professor rejoined his brother.
 They entered the taxicab and were driven almost in silence to the profes- Hov,s ..lrome--a. large, rambling old kouse, situated in somewhat extensive bat tIl.kert grounds on the outskirts of DIew York The Ehglishman glanced