The Spectator., 1915-10-29

Inspector, I am so excited at the idea of getting my jewels back. Isn't MT. Quest a wonderful man?"
 Hes a clever chap, all right" the inspector admitted All the same, I'm rather sorry he wasn't able to lay hands on the thief"
 That's your point of view, of course" Mrs. Rheinholdt remarked. q can think of nothing but having my diamonds back feel I ought to go and thank the professor for recon mending MT Quest"
 The inspector made no reply. Mrs. Rheinholdt was suddenly aware that she was becoming a little tactless.
 ''Of course" she sighed, "it is dis appointing not to be able to lay your hands upon the thief That is where l suppose you must find the interfer- ence of an amateur like Mir. Quest a little troublesome sometimes. He gets back the property. which is what the private individual wants, but he doesn't secure the thief, which is. Of course, the real end of the case from your point of view"
 Its a queer affair about these jew els" the inspector remarked. Quest hasn't told me the whole story yet. Here we are on the stroke of timei"
 The car drew up outside Quests house The inspector assisted his companion to alight and rang the bell at the front door There was a some what prolonged pause. He rang again.
 Never knew this to happen before," he remarked. That sort of secretary valet of MT Quest's-Ross Brown I think he calls minis always on the spot" They waited for some time. there was still no answer to their sum- mons. The inspector placed his ear to the keyhole There was not a sound to be heard He drew back, little puzzled. At that moment his atten- tion was caught by the fluttering of little piece of white material caught in the door. He pulled it out. It was a fragment of white embroidery, and on it were several small stains. The in- spector looked at them and looked at his fingers. His face grew suddenly grave.
 Seems to me-" he muttered, that there has been some trouble here. l shall have to take liberty. If you'll excuse me, Mrs Rheinholdt. think it would be better if you waited in the car until l send out for you"
 You don't think the jewels have been stolen again?" she gasped.
 The inspector made no reply. He | had drawn from his pocket a little 1 pass key and was fitting it into the 1 lock. The door swung open. Once | more they were both conscious of that 1 peculiar silence, which seemed to have 1 il. 1t some unnamable quality. He moved to the foot of the stairs and 1 shouted
 ! Hello! Anyone there?" 1 There was no reply. He opened the 1 doors O the two rooms on the right hand side. where Quest, when he was engaged in any widespread affair, kept a stenographer and a telegraph oper- ator. Both rooms were empty. Then he turned towards Quests study on | the left-hand side. French was a man of iron nerve. No power on earth could have kept back the cry which broke from his lips.
 A few feet away from the door was stretched the body of the secretary valet. On the other side of the room. lying as though she had slipped from the sofa, her head fallen on one side in hideous fashion, was the body of Miss Quigg, the Salvation Army young woman. French set his teeth and drew back the curtains. In the clear CT light the disorder of the room was fully revealed. There had been ter rible struggle. Between whom? How
 There was suddenly a piercing shriek. The inspector turned quickly around. Mrs. Rheinholdt. who had dis regarded his advice, was standing on the threshold.
 Inspector" she cried What has happened? Oh. my God!"
 She covered her face with her hands. French gripped her by the arm. At that moment there was the
  sound of an automobile stopping out. side.
 Keep quiet for . moment" the in- spector whispered in her car. Pull yourself together. madam. Go to the other end of the room. Don't look. Stay there for a few moments and then get home as quick as you can"
 She obeyed him mutely. pressing her hands to her eyes, shivering. in every limb. French, stood back inside the room. He heard the front door open. he heard Quests voice outside.
 Where the devil are you. Ross!" Y
 There was no reply.
 The door was pushed open. Quest entered. followed by the professor and Craig. The inspector stood watching thsIr fncea- Guest came to . stand