The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-08-27
NINTH lNSTALLMENT
CHAPTER 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
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,
.ir. 1t is now half-past eight"
"Pll 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
stretched out his hand to take hand
kerchief from his satchel A sudden
exclamation broke from his lips. He
stood for moment as though turned
to stone. Before him, on the top of
the little pile of white cambria, was
4 small black box! With movement
Of the fingers which was almost me-
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:
You will fail here as you have
failed before. Better go back. There
is more danger for you in this country
than you dream Of.
His teeth came fiercely together and
bis hands were clenched. His thoughts
had gone like fash to Lenora. Was
It possible that harm was intended fol-
her? He put the idea away from him
almost as soon as conceived. The
thing was unimaginable. Craig waf
here, must be here. in the close vi
cfnity 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 hei
place at the head of the table.
She touched an electric bell undel
her foot and a moment or two latel
the butler appeared.
go up and see how long your mas
ter will be-" Lady Ashleigh directed.
Every good, your ladyship."
The man was backing through thu
doorway in his usual dignif1ed name
when he was suddenly pushed on on
side. The valet who had waited upol
Quest, and who was Lord Ashleighf
own servant, rushed into the room
He almost shouted to Lady Ashleigh
Your Iadyship-the master! Some
thing has happened! He won't move
He-he-"
They all trooped out of the room
and up the stairs, the professor ieac
ing the way. They pushed open tn
door of Lord Ashleigh's bedchambel
In the far corner of the large roor
was the four-poster, and underneat
the clothes silent figure. The PR
lessor turned down the sheets. The
he held out his hand. His face, too
was blanched.
Julia, don't come" he begged.
az must know" she almost shrieket
must know!"
George is dead" the professor sal
slowly.
There was a moments awful silence
broken by piercing scream from Lad
Ashleigh. She sank down upon tn
sofa, and the professor leaned owe
her. Quest turned to the little grou
of frightened servants who were gati
cred round the doorway.
"Telephone for a doctor he o
aered. "also to the local police st
ton.
HE. too. approached the bed an
reverently lifted the covering. Loi
Ashleigh was lying there, his body
little doubled up, his arms wide on
stretched. On his throat were Nv
black marks.
They had led Lady Ashleigh fro
The room. The professor and Que
stood face to face. The formers e
oression. however, had lost all n
amiable serenity His face was VIM
and pinched.
"ouesti Quest!" he almost soobe
my brother!-George, whom | iov'
like nobody else on earth! is ne re'
by dead?"
Absolutely" -,
rhe professor sripped the oak pill
nf the bedstead He seemed on u
point of collapse.
uThs mark of the Hands is up'
OTIS throat" Quest pointed out. !,
erhe Hands: oh, my dod. u
tsofessoI groaned.