The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-10-28
FIFTH i%MSTALLMEMT
ON THE RACK.
cHAprER xII.

For the moment a new element had
been introduced into the horror of the
little tableau. All eyes were fixed upon
Quest, who listened to the inspectors
dubious words with a supercilious
smile upon his lips.
Perhaps" he suggested. you would
like TO ask me a few questions?"
Perhaps | may feel II my duty to
do So" the inspector replied gravely.
ia tho frst place, then, Mr.. Quest,
VIII you kindly explain the condition
G your clothes7"
Quest shrugged his shoulders.
Here you are, them" he replied,
"This morning | decided to maks an
attempt to clear up the EsystsTJ 81
Nacdougal's disappearance. L sent on
my secretary, Miss Laura, to make
friends with the section boss. and
Lenora and | went out by automobile
a little later. We Instituted q search
on a new principle. and before very
long we found Macdougal's body.
That's n up against you, l think. In
s%pector."
Very likely" the inspector OBJ.
served. Go on, please"
Il left the two young ladies, at Miss
Lenora's wish. to superintend tho re-
moval of the body. ! myself had an
engagement to deliver over her Jew.
els to Mrs. Rheinholdt here at mid
day. returned to where my automo-
bile was waiting, started for the city
and was attacked by two thugs near
the section house. / got away from
them, ran TO the tower house to try
and stop the freight, was followed by
the thugs. and jumped out on to the
last car frcrn ~. signal arm
Where If ycur -aGtomoSile?"
mo idea." Quest replied. II left It
In the road. When / jumped from the
freight car took q taxicab to the pro.
fessor's and called for him, az ar
ranged"
The inspector nodded.
Il shall have 10 ask you to excuse
me fos q moment" he said, while |
ring Up number ten signal tewsr. II
Mr.. Quests story receives corrobora-
ton the matter 10 ut an end"
The inspector left the room almost
immediately.
When he returned he was looking
Bravcr than ever
Quest" he announced, your .alibi
10 useless-in fact. a little worse than
useless. The operator at number ten
has been found murdered at the back
OF the tower!"
Quest started.
Il ought not to have left him to
those thugs" he murmured regret.
fully.
There is no automobile Of yours in
the vicinity" the Inspector continued,
nor any news OF Is. I think 1t will be
~ well now. Quest. for this matter to
take its obvious course. VIII you,
srst OF all. hand yer her jewels to
Mrs. Rheinholdt?"
Quest drew the keys Of the safe
from his pocket, crossed the room and
swung open the safe door. For . mo-
nent afterwards be stood transnxed.
His arm. half outstretched. remained
rotionless. Then he turned slowly
around.
The jewels have been stolen" he
announced with unnatural calm.
The inspector laid his hand heavily
upon esest's shoulder.
You win kindly consider yourself
under arrest. Quest. Ladies and gen
tlemsn. win yon clear the room now.
II you please. The ambulance l tele-
Dhoned for 10 Gutside."
The professor. who had been look
Ing as though dased, suddenly inter-
vened.
MI. French" he said earnestly, Il
am convinced that you are making .
great mistake. In ~arresting and tai
1ng away Mr.. Quest you are removing
from NJ the ons man who IL likely to
~ able to clear - this mystery." nl
The inspector pushed him gently
- one side.
You win excuse me. professor" he
tlaid. Abut this b no matter for argu-
sent II mr.. ouoet can clear himself. ,
20 one wiz b. more glad than +.
Quest s1Hggq1 his shoulders.
seiek inopcetW palf hsve9Ms little
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