Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1915-06-18

ture--the clenched hands! quest
read the message aloud
In tho great scheme Of things, tho
Supreme Ruler Of the universe d.
vided an inheritance amongst his
children. To one he gave power, to
another strength, to another beauty
but to hIs favorIte no gave cunning
They all looked at one another
What does 1t meant" Lenora
gasped.
"A lifebuoy!' the professor MUIR
INJURED.
They both stared at Quest, who re-
manned silent, chewing hard at the
end of his cigar
Every message" he said, speaking
half to himself, has had some sig
niicance What does this mean-a
lifebuoy?"
He was silent for moment. Then
he turned suddenly to the professor.
What did you call those men In the
motortruck, professor-river piratesY
And lifebuoy! Wait"
He crossed the room towards his
desk and returned with list In his
hand He ran his finger down 1t,
stopped and glanced at the date.
THE Durham" he muttered, cargo
cotton destination Southampton, sails
at high tide on the 10Th Lenora, Is
that calendar right"
Its the 10th, Mr. Quest" she an.
swered.
Quest crossed the room to the tele-
phone.
Il want number one, central" he
said Thank you! Put me through
to Mr. French's Office, Hello,
French! I've got an idea. Can you
come round here at once and bring
an automobile? want to get down
to the docks-not where the passen-
ger steamers start from-lower down.
Good Wen wait"
Quest hung up the receiver.
See here, professor" he continued,
that fellow wouldn't dare to send
this message II he weren't pretty sure
OF getting OFF He's made all his
plans beforehand but its my belief
we shall just get our hands upon him.
after all.
Presently the heard the automobile
stop outside and French appeared.
Anything DOING" he asked.
Quest showed him the card and the
sailing list,
The Inspector glanced at the clock
Then we've got to mako tracks"
he declared, land pretty quick, too
She'll be starting from somewhere
about number twenty eight dock, a
long way down Come along, gentle
men
They hurried out to the automobile
and started Off for the docks, The
latter part OF their journey was &C
complished under difficulties for the
street was packed with drays and
heavy vehicles. They reached dock
number twenty-eight at last. how
ever, and hurried through the shed
on to the wharf There were no signs
OF a steamer there.
Where's the Durham Quest
asked one OF the carriers. who was just
getting his team together
The man pointed out to the middle
of river, where a small steamer was
lying.
There she u.s." he replied She'll
be Off In few minutes You'll hear
the sirens directly when they begin
to move down."
Quest led the way quickly to the
edge OF the wharf There was a
small tug there, the crew of which
were just making her fast for the
night.
Fifty dollars II you'll take US out
to the Durham and catch her before
she sails" Quest shouted to the man
who seemed to be the captain
They clambered down the iron lad
der and jumped on to the deck OF the
tug The captain seized the wheel,
The two men who formed the crew
took of their coats and waistcoats
Give 1t to her, Jim" the former or
dered. Now then, here goes Well
just miss the ferry"
They swung around and commenced
their journey. Quest stood with his
watch In his hand They were getting
up the anchor Of the Durham and
from higher up the river came the
screech OF steamers beginning tC
move on their outward way
Wen make It all right" the cap
tain assured them.
They we're within hundred yards
OF the Durham when Quest gave a lit
tie exclamation From the other side
Of the steamer another tug shot Out
away, turning back towards New
York Huddled up in the stern, hall
concealed In tarpaulin, was a mar
In a plain black suit Quest. with
little shout. recognized the man a.
the helm from his long, brown beard
That's one of those fellows who
was in the truck" he declared, "ant
that's Craig in the stern! We've go
him this time, Say, captain. it's tina
tug | want. Never mind about thu
steamer Catch II and I'll make 1t
hundred dollars!"
We've got herr" he captain ex
claimed. There's the ferry and thu
first of the steamers coming down II
the middle. They'll have to chuck 1t.
Right ahead of them, blazing witt
lights, a huge ferry came churninI
the river up and sending waves Il
:, their direction. On the other side
unnaturally large, doomed up tn
a great bows OF an ocean-going steamer
| and tho