The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-05-29
CHAPTER xxx.

Quest awoke the next morning. stretched out his
hand and glanced at the watch by the side OF the
bed. 1t barely six o'clock. He turned over
and dozed again. looked again at halfpast six. and
finally at a few minutes to seven. rose and made
a hasty toilet. Then. in the act OF placing his
watch in his waistcoat pocket. he gave sudden
start. BY it's side. half covered by the handker.
chief which he had thrown upon the little table,
stood small black box! For moment he was
motioness. Then he stretched out his hand. re.
moved the lid and drew out the usual neatly
folded piece of paper:
Even time fights you. It loses that YOU ~aav sks>
Tho Hands. :
Quest for a moment W fAsu he Run
RED ITO this next tsn:, Il.s.srhSs srofessc: ISL
steering --acefully
Say professor. what's the ..lre by your watch?"
Quest asked shaking him gently.
The professor sat up and drew his chronometef
from under his pillow.
Seven o'clock" he replied five minutes past.
maybe"
Quest nodded.
THAT seems all right" he declared. I'll explain
later, professor
He hurried out into Frenchs tent and found the
inspector just drawing on his shoes.
French, what's the tme?" he demanded.
Three minutes past seven, thereabouts."
French replied, yawning. I'm coming right along.
We've got lots of time. Three-quarters of an hour
ought to do it, the boys say.
They walked outside to the camp. where the
cowboys were finishing their breakfast.
Say. boss one of them called out you're not
making that S: 80 train to New York;"
Why mott" Quest asked quickly. ITS only
three-quarters of an hours ride, is it,"
Maybe not the other replied, but it's eight
now. your chances amt looking lively. Kind of
oversight haven't you?'
Both men glanced more at their watches.
Then Quest thrust his back with little oath.
Our watches have been set back" he e1.
claimed. The Hands again."
For moment they looked at one another. dunn.
founded. Then Quest moved towards the corral.
Say. is there any quicker way to the depot?'
he inquired of the cowboys.
They heard his question indinerently.
Fifty dollars Quest continued, Ito anyone who
take by quicker route"
One of them rose slowly to his feet
WAL" he observed. fifty dollars would coms
in kind of handy Yes, l reckon I can cut of
mile two for YOU
Fifty dollars for you, then" Quest replied. as
they hurried towards the horses. and an extra
ten If we make the train.
They galloped off into the distance The COW.
boys finished their breakfast and went off to their
work. Laura stole out from her tent and started
off in rather a shamefaced manner for a walk.
Presently Lenora opened her eyes. She. too.
stretched her hand for her watch. Suddenly
she sat in bed with little exclamation. On the
table by her side small black box. She took
off the lid with trembling fingers. drew out scrap
of paper and read:
Fools! Tongues Of flame will Quests
path. He will reach the depot alive.
Lenora glanced at Laura's empty bed. Then
she staggered to the opening of the tent.
Laura she cried.
There one there. The cowboys had all
gone to their work. Laura had passed Of
sight across the ridge in the distance Lenora
staggered to the cook wagon. where the Chinese
cook sitting cleaning plates.
Listen" she cried. They in danger. the
three who have gone off to the depot. II
you'll ride after them. will give you a hundred
dollars Give them this" she added holding out
the scrap of paper.
The Chinaman shook his head. He glanced at
the slip OF paper indiferenty and went with
his work.
No ride. missee' he said.
Ienora looked around helplessy. The camp
was empty She staggered across towards her own
horse
Come and help me-" she ordered
The Chinaman came unwillingly. They found
her saddle. but he only gazed at it in a stod
sort of fashion
NO can fix he said "Missee no can ride
Better go back bed
Lenora pushed him side. With great
effort she managed to reach her place in the sad.
die. Then she turned and. with her face to the
depot galloped away. The pain was excruciat-
ing. She could only keep herself in the saddle
with effort. Yet all the time that one sentence
ringing in her head-"Tongues of fame!"
She kept looking around anxiously. Suddenly the
road dropped from little decline. She was con.
scous of wave of heat In the distance she
could see the smoke rolling the open. She
touched her horse with the quirt. The spot which
she must pass to keep the track to the depot
was scarcely hundred yards ahead, but already
the fire seemed to be running like quicksilver
across the ground licking up the dry crossword
with indeed flaming tongue. She glanced once
behind. warned by the heat. The fire closina
IN upon her. A puff Of smoke suddenly enveloped
her She coughed. Her head began to swim and
tit Of gtddness assailed her. She rocked in her
saddle and the pony came TO a sudden standstill.
faced by the OF rolling smoke and flame.
Sanford" Lenora cried Save me-"
The pony reared. She slipped from the saddle
and fell across the track