The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1915-05-22
NINTH iNSTALlMENT
LOST IN LONDON.
CHAPTER Xxx.

Quest, Notwithstanding the unusual
nature Of his surroundings, slept that
night as only tired and healthy man
can. He was awakened the next morn
ing by the quiet movements of man.
servant who had brought back LIS
clothes carefully brushed and pressed.
Breakfast is served at nine o'clock,
sir 1t is now half-past eight"
I'll be right there"
The man withdrew and Quest made
a brisk toilet. The nameless fears of
the previous night had altogether dis
appeared. At the last moment he
stretched out his hand to take a hand
kerchief from his satchel. A sudden
exclamation broke from his lips. He
stood for moment as though turned
to stone. Before him, on the top of
the little pile of white cambria, was
a small black boxl With a movement
of the fingers which was almost me-
chanical, he removed the lid and drew
out the customary little scrap of pa
per. He smoothed it out before him
on the dressing case and read the mes
sage:
You will fail here as you have
failed before. Better go back. There
is more danger for you in this country
than you dream Of"
His teeth came fiercely together and
his hands were clenched. His thoughts
had gone like flash to Lenora. Was
no no in4o
her? He put the idea away from him
almost as soon as conceived. The
thing was unimaginable. Craig was
here, must be here, in the close vi
cinity of the house.
The atmosphere of the pleasant
breakfast room to which in due course
he descended, was cheerful enough
Lady Ashleigh had already taken her
place at the head Of the table.
She touched an electric bell under
her foot and moment or two later
the butler appeared.
Go up and see how long your mas
ter will be?" Lady Ashleigh directed.
Very good, your ladyship."
The man was backing through the
doorway in his usual dignified manner
when he was suddenly pushed on one
side. The valet who had waited upon
Quest, and who was Lord Ashleigh's
own servant, rushed into the room.
He almost shouted to Lady Ashleigh:
Your ladyship-the master! Some
thing has happened! He won't move!
He-he-"
They all trooped out of the room
and up the stairs, the professor lead
ing the way. They pushed open the
door of Lord Ashleighs bedchamber.
In the far corner of the large room
was the four-poster, and underneath
the clothes a silent figure. The pro-
lessor turned down the sheets. Then
he held out his hand. His face, too,
was blanched.
Julia, don't come" he begged.
II must know" she almost shrieked.
l must know!"
George is Dead" the professor said
slowly.
There was a moments awful silence,
broken by piercing scream from Lady
Ashleigh. She sank down upon the
sofa, and the professor leaned over
her. Quest turned to the little group
of frightened servants who were gath
cred round the doorway.
Telephone for a DOCTOR he or
dered; "also to the local police sta
ton.
He, too approached the bed and
reyerently lifted the covering. Lord
Ashleigh was lying there, his body
little doubled up, his arms wide out
stretched. On his throat were two
black marks.
They had led Lady Ashleigh from
the room. The professor and Quest
stood face to face The formers ex-
preston, however, had lost all his
amiable serenity. His face was white
and pinched.
"Questl Quest!" he almost sobbed.
My brother!-George, whom / loved
like nobody else on earth! Is he real
ly dead?"
Absolutely"
The professor gripped the oak pillar
of the bedstead. He seemed on the
point Of collapse.
''The mark of the Hands is upon
his throat" Quest pointed out.
THE Hands! Oh. my God!" the
professor groaned.