The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-09-17
TWELFTH lNSTALLMENT.
CHAPTER XIV.
MEATH IRON WHEELS.

NEA n tnON W1EEEo.
Side by side they leaned over the
rail of the steamer and gazed shore
wards at the slowly unfolding scene
before them. For some time they had
all preserved an almost ecstatic ST.
lence.
Say, but it's good to see home
again!" Laura sighed at last.
I'm with you," Quest agreed en-
phatically. ITS the wrong side Of
the continent, perhaps, but I'm aching
to set my foot on American soil again"
This the wrong side of the con-
tinent ] should say mott" Laura ex-
claimed, pointing to where in the dis
lance the buildings of the exposition
cleaned almost snow white in the daz-
cling sunshine. why, have never
seen anything so beautiful in my life
Il guess there's one of us here,
Quest observed, "who is none too
pleased to see America again
Lenora shivered little. They were
all grave
Quest moved slowly down the deck
towards Craig's side, and touched him
on the arm.
Give me your left wrist, Craig, he
said quietly.
The man skunk away. There was
sudden look of horror in his white
face. He started back, but Quest was
too quick for him. In moment there
was the click of handcuff, the mate
of which was concealed under the
criminologist's cuff.
They stepped along the deck to-
wards the rest of the party Lenora
handed her glasses to Quest.
do look, Mr.. Quest" she begged.
"There is Inspector French standing
in the front row on the dock, with two
enormous punches of flowers-carna-
tions for me, expect, and poinsettias
for Laura They're the larger bunch I
Quest took the glasses and nodded
Slowly the great steamer drifted
nearer and nearer to the docks, hats
were waved from the little line of
spectators, ropes were drawn taut.
The inspector was standing at the
bottom of the gangway as they all
passed down He shook hands with
everyone vigorously Then he pre-
sented Lenora with her carnations and
Laura with the poinsettias. Lenora
was enthusiastic. Even Laura muir
INJURED few words of thanks.
Some flowers, those poinsettias,
the inspector agreed.
Quest gripped him by the arm.
French he said, Il tell you shall
make your hair curl when you hear all
that we've been through. Do you fee
IKE having me start in right away
on our way to the cars?"
French withdrew his arm
Nothing doing" he replied. =
want to talk to Miss Laura You car
stow that criminal stuff. It'll wait all
night. You've got the fellow-that's
what matters!"
Quest exchanged an amused glance
with Lenora. The inspector and Laura
fell a little behind. The former tool
off his hat for moment and famed
himself.
Say. Miss Laura he began. Tn
plain man. and poor hand a
speeches. i've been saying few nice
things over to myself on the dock here
for the last hour, but everything
gone right out of my head. Looi
here. 1t sums up like this; How d.
YOU feel about quitting this buncl
right away and coming with me U
New York
What do I want to go to New
York for?" Laura demanded.
..oh. come on, Miss Laura. you know
what mean, French replied Wei
slip of and get married here and the'
take this man Craig to New York
Once get him safely in the Tombs ant
wen go off on honeymoon anywher
you say
Laura was on the point of Laughing
mt him. Then the unwonted serious
ness OF his expression appealed sue
denly to her sympathy. She patte
imskindIy on the shoulder.
you're a good sort, inspector, bu
you've picked the wrong girl. I've ru
along on my own hook ever since
was born. | guess, and cant switc
nv ideas, ever to this married stun
ysu better get move on and &c
Csmic back to New York before a