The Holly chieftain., 1915-05-21

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ly towards the confines of the city.
BY Quests directions the automo-
bile was brought to standstill at
point where 1t 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 item at once. ac-
companied by short, thick-set man
whom she introduced as Mr.. Horan.
This is Mr.. Horan, the section
boss" she explained.
Mr.. Horan shook hands.
Say. I've heard of you, Mr.. Quest"
he announced. THE young lady tells
me you are some interested In that
prisoner they lost off the cars near
here"
That's so," Quest admitted. "We'd
like to go to the spot If we could"
That's dead easy" the boss re-
piled. "I'll take you along on the
| handcar."
The section boss turned round and
whistled. From little side track two
men jumped on to a handcar, and
brought 1t around to where they were
standing. A few yards away the man
who was propelling it-a great. red
headed lrishman-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.
pointing at Quest.
"The guy with the linen collar?" the
other answered. Il 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?"
81 guess so," the other grunted.
Are you going to try and do him in?"
"Now then. you fellows" Horan
shouted. What are you hanging about
there for. Red Gallagher? Bring the
carriage up. You fellows can have a
smoke. for an hour. I'm going to take
her down the line for bit"
The two men obeyed and disap-
peared in the direction of the section
house. Quest looked after them curl
ously.
That's big fellow" he remarked.
What did you call him? Red Gala
CHER? ! seem to have seen him be-
fore"
He was the most troublesome fell
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."
They ambled down the line for
about half 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 right-hand side
here and in New York. I've had my
eye on that hill for a long time. My
impression is that he hid there"
"Ill take your advice" Quest de-
cided. We'll spread out and take
little exercise In hill climbing"
They searched carefully and delsb-
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 to 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,
fiat on his stomach, crawled a little
way down, took out his electric torch
from his pocket and brushed the stuff
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 moment. Quest stood on one
side while Laura passed her arm
around the other girls waist.
Quest glanced at his watch.
"I'll have to get," he said, "but III
send someone along. Cheer up, LIE.
nora." he added kindly. Look after
her, Laura"
Quest fastened along the road to
the spot where he had left the car,
The chauffeur, who saw him coming.