The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-23
FOURTH INSTALLMENT
AN OLD eRUDoE.
CHAPTER x.

Sanford Quest was smoking his
after-breakfast cigar with a relish
somewhat affected by the measure of
his perplexities. Early though it was,
Lenora was already In her place, bend
ing over her desk, and Laura, who had
just arrived. was busy divesting her
self of her coat and hat. Quest watched
the latter impatiently.
"Well?' he asked
Laura came forward, Strengthening
her hair with her hands.
No go, she answered II spent the
evening in the club, and talked with
two men who knew Craig, but
couldn't get on to anything. From all
] could hear of the man, respectable
ity is his middle name"
That's the professors own idea,"
Quest remarked grimly.
Were fairly up against it, boss"
Laura sighed 1.-THE best thing we
can do is to get on to another job.
The Rheinholdt woman has got her
Jewels back. or will have at noon to-
day. bet she won't worry about the
thief. Then the professors moldy old
skeleton was returned to him, even If
it was burned up afterwards. should
take on something fresh"
Cant be DONE" Quest replied short
ly.5 Look here, girls, your average
inte1lects are often apt to hit upon
the truth, when a man who sees too
Fo,. 81, p1.1o nSey
out. Any other possible person occur
to you? Speak out, Lenora. You've
something on your mind, can see. =
I'm afraid you'll laugh at me-" she
began tentatively
Wont hurt you If l do Quest re-
piled.
Il can't help thinking of Macdou-
gal" Lenora continued falteringly. He
has never been recaptured. | don't
know whether he's dead or alive. He
had perfect passion for jewels. If
he is alive. he would be desperate and
would attempt anything"
Quest smoked in silence for q mo-
ment.
Il guess the return of the jewels
squelched the Macdougal theory" he
remarked. He wouldn't be likely to
part with the stuff when he'd once got
his hands on 1t. However, | always
meant, when we had moments spare
time, to look into that fellows where
abouts. Well take it on straight
away Can't do any harm
Il know the section boss on the
railway at the spot where he disap-
peared,' Laura announced.
Then just take the train down to
Neutrality-suspicious. the nearest spot
and get busy with him." Quest direct
ed. TRY and persuade him to loan
us the gangs handear to go down the
line. Lenora and I viii come on in
the automobile
Take you longer Lenora re-
marked as she moved OFF to put on
her jacket THE cars do 1t in 3
quarter of an hour"
Cant help that Quest replied.
Mrs. Reinholdt's coming here to iden-
fifty her jewels at twelve O'Clock, AID
Can run any I1ch Vi lhSAO DStNS -
train back. You'd better be making
good with the section boss. Take
plenty of bills with you.
"Sure, That's easy enough Laura
promised him. III be waiting for
YOU"
She hurried off and Quest COM
menced his own preparations From
his safe he took one Of the small
black Jumps of explosive to which he
had once before owed his life, and MT
ted it carefully In small case with
a coil of wire and an electric lighter.
He looked at his revolver and re-
charged it. Finally he rang the bell
for his confidential valet
ROSS he asked. who else is there
here today besides your"
mo one today, sir"
"Just as we'll, perhaps" Quest OBJ
served. Listen, Ross, am going out
now for an hour or two, but shall be
back at midday. Remember. that. Mrs.
Rheinholdt and Inspector French are
to be here at twelve o'clock. IL by
any chance I should be few minutes
late. ASA them TO wait. And. Ross,
a young woman from the Salvation