Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1915-07-30
CHAPTER Xxx.

MINT ~ NNNs
Quest aWoke the next morning,
stretched out his hand and glanced at
the watch by the side Of the bed. 1t
was barely six O'Clock. He turned over
and dozed again, looked again at half
past six, and finally, at few minutes
to seven, rose and made a hasty
toilet. Then, in the act of placing his
watch In his waistCoat pocket, he gave
u sudden start. BY its side, half coy
cred by the handkerchief which he had
thrown upon the little table, stood "A
small black box For a moment he
was motIonless. Then he stretched out
his hand, removed the lid and drew
out the usual neatly folded piece Of
paper
Even time fights you. It loses that
you may lose.--The Hands.
Quest for moment was puzzled
Then he hurried into the next tent
where the professor was sleeping
peacefully
Say, professor, what's the time by
your watch" Quest asked shaking
him gently
The professor sat up and drew his
chronometer from under his pillow.
Seven o'clock he replied five
minutes past maybe,
Quest nodded
That seems all right, he declared
I'm explain later. professor"
He hurried out into French's tent
and found the inspector just drawing
on his shoes
French, what's the time?" he de
manded
Three minutes past seven, or
Whereabouts" French replied yawn'
ing. I'm coming right along We've
got lots OF time Three quarters OF
an hour ought 10 do it, the boys saJ
They walked outside to the camp
where the cowboys We're finishing
their breakfast
Say boss, one OF them called out
you're not making that s 80 train IL
New York;"
why not?' Quest asked, quifdy.
Its only three-quarters of an hours
ride is it,"
Maybe not, the other replied but
as It's eight now, your chances amt
looking lively. Kind OF oversight,
haven't your"
Both men glanced once more al
their watches Then Quest thrust hit
back with little oath
Our watches have been set back
he exclaimed The Hands again
For a moment they looked at one
another dumfounded, Then Quest
moved towards the corral
Say, Is there any quicker way to
the depot" he inquired of the COW
boys.
They heard his question indifier
emily.
Fifty dollars Quest continued, to
anyone who can take me BY quicker
route"
one of them rose slowly to his feet
Wal" he observed, nifty dollars
would come In kind of handy Yes
| reckon can cut off a mile or two fol
you
Fifty dollars for you, then, Quest
replied, as they hurried towards the
horses, and an extra ten II We make
the train.
They galloped on 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 shamefaced manner for a
walk. Presently Lenora opened her
eyes She, too, stretched out her
hand for her watch Suddenly she
sat up In bed with little exclamation
On the table by her side was small
black box. She took off the lid with
trembling fingers, drew out a scrap
of paper and read
Fools Tongues of flame will cross
Quests path. He will never reach the
depot alive.
Lenora glanced at Laura's empty
bed. Then she staggered to the open
ing Of the tent.
Laura" she cried
There was no one there. The cow
boys had all gone to their work, Laura
had passed out of sight across the
ridge In the distance, Lenora stag
gered to the cook wagon, where the
Chinese cook was sitting cleaning
plates.
'Listen!" she cried. "They are In
danger, the three men who have gone
of to the depot! II you'll ride after
them, I will give you a hundred dol
lars. Give them this, she added,
holding out the scrap of paper
The Chlnaman shook his head. He
glanced at the slip of paper lndiffer-
emily and went on with his work
'No can ride. missee," he said.
Lenora looked around helplessly
The camp was empty. She staggered
across towards her own horse.
Come and help me-" she ordered.