The Spectator., 1915-10-29

l tary-VaIet ana general 1actOtum, ac- cepted the slip of paper and placed 1t in an envelope.
 There are no other instructions, sir?" he inquired
 None" Quest replied. You'll look | out for the wireless, and you had bet ter switch the through cable and tel egraph communication on to head quarters. Come on, Lenora."
 They left the house, entered the waiting automobile, and drove rapid ly towards the confines of the city. | By Quests directions the automo- | bile was brought to a standstill at point where it skirted the main rail way line. and close to the section house which he had appointed for | his rendezvous with Laura. She had apparently seen their approach. and | she came out to meet them at once. ac- companied by short, thickset man whom she introduced as MT. Horan. This is MT. Horan. the section boss" she explained
 Mir. Horan shook hands.
 Say, I've heard of you. Mir. Quest" he announced. The young lady tells me you are some interested in that l prisoner they lost off the cars near | here"
 That's so,' Quest admitted. Wed like to go to the spot if we could"
 That's dead easy" the boss re- | piled. 'I'll take you along on the 1 handcar"
 l The section boss turned round and whistled. From a little side track two ] men jumped on to a handcar, and l brought it around to where they were standing. few yards away the man who was propelling it-a great. red headed Irishman-suddenly ceased his efforts Leaning over his pole, he gazed at Quest. A sudden ferocity darkened his coarse face. He gripped his mate by the arm.
 See that bloke there?" he asked, 1 pointing at Quest.
 "The guy with the linen collar" the other answered. "I see him"
 That's Quest. the detective" the Irishman went on hoarsely. That's the man who got me five years in the pen. the beast! That's the man I've ] been looking for. You're my mate. Jim. eh?"
 'I guess so," the other grunted. Are you going to try and do him in?"
 Now then, you fellows" Horan i shouted. What are you hanging about there for, Red Gallagher? Bring the i carriage up. You fellows can have a smoke for an hour. I'm going to take her down the line for bit" 1 The two men obeyed and disap- 1 peared in the direction of the section 1 house. Quest looked after them curl ously.
 That's big fellow" he remarked. What did you call him? Red Gala | gher? l seem to have seen him be- | fore"
 He was the most troublesome fel- | low on the line once. although he was the biggest worker" the boss replied. He got five years in the penitentiary and that seems to have taken the spirit out of him"
 T believe was in the case" Quest observed carelessly.
 That's so! Now then, young la dies" MT, Horan advised. hold tight. and here goes!"
 They ambled down the line for about half a mile Then Horan brought them to standstill.
 This is the spot" he declared. Now. if you want my impressions you are welcome to them, All the search has been made on the righthand side here and in New York. I've had my ! eye on that hill for a long time. My 1 impression is that he hid there"
 'I1l take your advice" Quest de- | cided, Wen spread out and take a little exercise in hill climbing"
 Good luck to you!" the boss ex- claimed
 They searched carefully and delib. i erately for more than half an hour Then Laura suddenly called out. They looked around to find only her head visible. She scrambled up. muddy and with wet leaves clinging to her skirt
 Say. that guy of section boss told me 10 look out for caves I've been in one. sure enough, Only just saved myself"
 They hurried to where she was Quest peered into the declivity down which she had slipped. Suddenly he gave vent to little exclamation. At the same time Laura called out An inch or two of tweed was clearly wis ible through the strewn leaves. Quest flat on his stomach. crawled a little way down, took out his electric torch from his pocket and brushed the stun away. Then he clambered to his feet.
 Our search is over," he declared gravely. and your troubles. Lenora. That is Macdougal's body" Lenora's face sank into her hands for a moment. Quest stood on one side while Laura passed her arm around the other girls waist.
 Quest glanced at his watch.