Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1915-07-02
NINTH INSTAlLMENT
cHAPT Err Xxx.
LOST IN LONDON.

Quest, Notwithstanding the unusual
nature Of his surroundings, slept that
night as only tired and healthy man
can. He was awakened the next morn
4 Ing by the quiet movements OF man
servant who had brought back his
clothes carefully brushed and pressed
Breakfast is served at nine O'Clock,
sir. 1t is now halfpast eight"
IN be right there
The man withdrew and Quest made
brisk toilet The nameless fears OF
the previous night had altogether dis
appeared, At the last moment he
4 stretched out his hand to take hand
kerchief from his satche A sudden
4 exclamation broke from his lips He
stood for moment as though turned
f to stone. Before him, on the top Of
& the little pile OF white cambria was
a small black box With a movement
Of the fingers which was almost me.
a chanical he removed the lid and drew
out the customary little scrap OF pa
per. He smoothed 1t out before him
on the dressing case and read the mes
sage:
4 you will fail here as you have
failed before. Better 60 back There
is more danger for you In this country
than you dream OF
His teeth came tiercely together and
his hands were clenched His thoughts
had gone like fash to Lenora Was
1t possible that harm was Intended for
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
entity 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 Ashlelgh directed
VERY good. your ladyship'
The man was backing through the
doorway In his usual dignitied 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.
s He almost shouted TO Lady Ashleigh:
Your ladyship-the master Some
thing has happened lie won't move!
He--he-"
They all trooped Out OF the room
and up tho stairs, the professor lead
ing the way They pushed open the
door OF Lord Ashleigh's bedchamber.
In the far corner OF the large room
was the four-poster, and underneath
4 the clothes silent figure. The pro-
fessor turned down the sheets Then
he held out his hand His face, too,
was blanched.
Julia, don't come, he begged
81 must know, she almost shrieked
must know"
George is dead" the professor said
slowly.
There was moments awful silence,
broken by piercing scream from Lady
4 Ashleigh She sank down upon the
sofa, and the professor leaned over
i her. Quest turned to the little group
OF frightened servants who were gath.
cred round the doorway,
Telephone for doctor he or
dered also to the local police sta
ton.
He, too, approached the bed and
reverently lifted the covering. Lord
Ashleigh was lying there, his body a
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,
Quest! Quest" he almost sobbed.
my er!-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
bis threat" Quest pointed out.
THE Hands! oh, my Cod" the
professor groaned.
ave must not eat or drink or sleep"
Quest declared, fiercely, until we have
brought this matter to an end Craig
must be found This is the supreme
horror Of all.
The butler made an apologize APP
pearance lie spoke In hushed whis-
PER.
"You are wanted downstairs. gentle
men Middleton. the head keeper, Is
Mere"
As though inspired with common
Idea, both Quest and the professor hur-
RED out of the room and down the
broad stairs. Their inspiration was