The Holly chieftain., 1915-06-04

said-"through to Mr. French's Of
fee, if you please Mr.. Quest
wants to. speak to him Yes, San
ford Quest. No need to get excited!
All right I'm through. am 1?
Hello, inspector
rare expression of joy suddenly
transfigured Quests face. He was
gazing downward into the little mir
ror
You've found Lenora. then, In
spector?" he exclaimed. Bully for
you! What do | mean? What
! say! You forget that ! am SCI
entific man, French. No end Of ap-
pliances here you haven't had time
to look at. can see you sitting there,
and Lenora and Laura looking as
though you had them ON the rack. You
can drop that, French. I've got Red
Gallagher and his mate, got them
here with the sheriff of Bethel. They
went off with my auto and sold it.
We've got that. Also. in less than
five minutes my chauffeur will be
here. He's been lying in farmhouse
unconscious. since that scrap. He
can tell you what time he saw me
last. Bring the girls along, French
and hurry"
Quest hung up the receiver
Inspector French was as good. even
better than his word In a surpris-
ingly short time he entered the room,
followed by Laura and Lenora. Quest
gave them hand each. but it was
into Lenoras eyes that he looked
81 mustn't stop to hear your story.
Lenora," Quest said. You're safe
that's the great thing"
Found her in an empty house,"
French reported, "out Grayson avenue
way. Now Mr.. Quest. don't want to
come the official over you too much.
but if you'll kindly remember you're
an escaped prisoner"
| There was a knock at the door. A
young man entered in chauffeurs liv-
cry, with his head still bandaged.
Quest motioned him to come in.
I'll just repeat my story of that
morning, Mr.. French" Quest said. I'VE
went out to find Macdougal, and sue
ceeded, as you know. Just as was
starting for home those two thugs
set upon me. You know how | made
my escape. They went off in my au-
tomobile and sold it in Bethel. ar
rested them there myself this morn
ing. Here's the sheriff who will bear
out what l say, also that they arrived
at the place in my automobile"
Inspector French held out his hand.
"Mr. Quest" he said, Il reckon well
have to withdraw the case against
you. No hard feelings, hope?"
None at ALL" Quest replied prompt
ly, taking his hand.
Quest stood upon the threshold
watching the sheriff and his prison
ers leave the house. The former
turned round to wave his adieux.
There's an elderly guy out here"
he shouted, seems to want to como
in"
Quest leaned forward and saw the
professor.
my dear Quest" he exclaimed, az
he wrung his hand, my heartiest con.
gratulations! AS you know, always
believed your innocence. l am delight
ed that 1t has been proved"
Il will take little whisky and one
of your excellent cigars, Quest" he
said. Il must ask you to bear with
me if seem upset. After more than
twenty years service from one whom
l have always treated as a friend this
sudden separation, to a man of my
age, is somewhat trying. l do not al
lude, as you perceive. Mr.. Quest. to
the horrible suspicion you seem to
have formed Of Craig"
"All the same" the inspector re-
marked thoughtfully, someone who Is
still at large committed those murders
and stole those jewels. What is your
theory about the jewels. Mr.. Quest?"
Il haven't had time to frame one
yet" the criminologist replied. You've
been keeping me too busy looking
after myself However" he added,
"it's time something was done"
He took a magnifying glass from
his pocket and examined very closely
the whole of the front Of the safe.
NO sign of finger prints" he NUT
tered The person who opened 1t
probably wore gloves"
He fitted the combination and swung
open the door. He stood there for a
moment speechless. Something in his
attitude attracted the inspectors at
tention.
What is it, Mr. Quest?" he asked
eagerly.