Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-09-10

inspector, am so excited at the idea |
of getting my jewels back. Isn't Mr.
Quest wonderful MANI"
Hes a clever chap, all right" the
inspector admitted. "All the same,
I'm rather sorry he wasn't able to lay
hands on the thief"
That's your point of view, of
course" Mrs. Rheinholdt remarked. Il
can think of nothing but having my
diamonds back. | feel l ought to go
and thank the professor for recon-
mending Mr. Quest
The inspector made no reply Mrs.
Rheinholdt was suddenly aware that
she was becoming a little tactless.
''Of course she sighed, "it is dis
appointing not to be able to lay your
hands upon the thief. That is where
suppose you must find the interfer-
ence of an amateur like Mr.. Quest
little troublesome sometimes. He gets
back the property, which is what the
private individual wants, but he
doesn't secure the thief, which is, of
course, the real end of the case from
your point Of view"
"It's a queer affair about these jew
els" the inspector remarked. Quest
hasn't told me the whole story yet.
Here we are on the stroke of timel"
The car drew up outside Quests
house The inspector assisted mis-
companion to alight and rang the bell
at the front door. There was some
wkat prolonged pause. He rang again
Never knew this to happen before, =
he remarked THAT sort of secretary
valet of Mr.. Quest's-Ross Brown
think he calls him-is always on the
spot" They waited for some time.
there was still no answer to their sum-
mons. The inspector placed his ear to
the keyhole. There was not a sound
to be heard. He drew back, little
puzzled. At that moment his atten-
tion was caught by the fiuttering Of a
little piece of white material caught in
the door. He pulled it out. 1t was a
fragment of white embroidery, and on
it were several small stains, The in
spector looked at them and looked at
his fingers. His face grew suddenly
grave.
Seems to me-" he muttered, that
there has been some trouble here.
shall have to take liberty If you'll
excuse me. Mrs. Rheinholdt, think il
would be better if you waited in the
car until send out for you"
You don't think the jewels have
, been stolen again?" she gasped.
The inspector made no reply. He
had drawn from his pocket little
pass key and was fitting it into the
lock. The door swung open. Once
more they were both conscious of thai
peculiar silence, which seemed to have
in it some unnamable quality. He
l moved to the foot of the stairs anc
shouted:
Hello! Anyone there?"
There was no reply. He opened tht
doors of the two rooms on the right
hand side, where Quest, when he wa
2 engaged in any widespread affair, KEEP
a stenographer and telegraph oper
ator. Both rooms were empty. Thel
I, he turned towards Quests study ol
r the left-hand side. French was mai
|
could have kept back the cry whicl
3 broke from his lips.
t A few feet away from the door wa
stretched the body of the secretary
3 valet. On the other side of the room
lying as though she had slipped fron
: the sofa, her head fallen on one sid
K in hideous fashion, was the body O
| CoIr
r woman. French set his teeth an
drew back the curtains. In the cleal
e er light the disorder of the room wa
s fully revealed. There had been tel
v rible struggle. Between whom? How
j There was suddenly a piercin
:. shrek The inspector turned quickl
+ around. Mrs. Rheinholdt, who had di'
regarded his advice, was standing o
II the threshold.
# Inspector" she cried. what ha
happened? Oh, my God"
g She covered her face with he
e hands. French gripped her by th
n arm. At that moment there was tn
W sound of an automobile stopping GU
4, side.
d Keep quiet for a moment" the il
spector whispered in her car. "Pu
yourself together, madam. Go to til
other end of the room. Don't loo
n- Stay there for few moments an
e then get home as quick as you can
p She obeyed him mutely, pressin
her hands to her eyes, shivering
i, every limb. French, stood back insi6
g the room. He heard the front doc
u open, he heard Quests voice outsid
s Where the devil are you. Ross?"
There was no reply
is The door was pushed open. Que
entered, followed by the professor an
% Craig. The inspector stood watchir
k. their faces. Quest came to a stan