Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1915-08-13

sor seated himself in the swing chair
drew sheet of paper towards him
dipped the pen in the ink and began
to write Then he turned around and
reached for his own small black bag
which lay upon the table, Quest
caught him by the wrist,
What do you want out of that, pro-
fessor?' he inquired,
Merely my own pen and ink, the
professor eXpostulated IF there Is
anything | detest in the world, it is
violet ink And your pen, too, is ex-
ecrable, AS they are to be the last
words | shall leave to IA sorrowing
world, should like to write them in
my own fashion Open the bag for
yourself, il you will You can pass
me the things out"
Quest opened the bag, took out a
pen and small glass bottle of ink,
He handed them to the professor, who
started at once more to write. Quest
watched him for moment and then
turned away to French The profess
sor looked over his shoulder and sud
denly barred his wrist, Lenora seized
her employer by the arm.
Look she cried What is he 60
Ing to do?"
Quest swung around but he was too
late The professor had dug the pen
into his arm, He sat in his chair and
laughed as they all hurried towards
him Then suddenly he sprang to his
feet, Again the change came into
his face which they had seen in the
wards him. The professor snared
seemed about to spring then suddenly
once more stretched out his hands to
show that he was helpless and handed
to Quest the paper upon which he had
been writing.
You have nothing to fear from me, !"
he exclaimed Here is my last mes.
sage to you, Sanford Quest. Read it
read II aloud Always remember that
this was not your triumph but mine
Quest held up the paper They all
read The professors letters were
carefully formed, his handwriting per.
fectly legible
You have been clever opponent,
Sanford Quest, but even now you are
to be cheated. The wisdom OF the ages
outreaehes yours, outreaches it and
triumphs.
Quest looked up quickly.
What the devil does he mean" he
muttered
The professors arms shot sudden
ly above his head Again that strange
animal look conyulsed his features
He burst into a loud, unnatural laugh
Mean, you fool?' he cried holding
out his wrist which was slowly turn
ing black. Poisoned! That is what
il means
They all stared at him. Quest
seized the ink bottle, revealed the
false top and laid II down again with
a little exclamation Then. before
they could realize it the end came
The professor lay, a crumpledup
heap, upon the floor
Quest swung round in his chair as
French entered the room and held out
his left hand.
Glad to see you, French Help
yourself to cigar"
q don know as | want to smoke
this morning just at present, thank
you, French replied
Nothing wrong, eh?"
The fact of 1t is, French explained,
81 should like few words with Miss
Laura
Quest laughed shortly
why ON earth couldn't you say
So he observed Never knew you
bashful before, inspector, She's up in
the laboratory, III ring for someone
to show you the way"
Quest touched the bell and his new
secretary entered almost at once
Take Inspector French up into the
laboratory" Quest directed See you
later, French
Yes perhaps-T hope so" the in
spector replied nervously.
Quest watched him disappear with
a puzzled smile Then he sat down
at his desk, drew a sheet of paper to-
wards him and began to write.
My Dear Inspector:
am taking this opportunity Of let.
ting you know that out of difference to
the wishes of the woman ! hope soon
to marry, | am abandoning the haz-
ardous and nerveraokine profession
Of crimlno'ogy for safer and happier
career. You will have, therefore, to
find help elsewhere In the future.
With best wishes. Yours,
SANFORD QUEST.
He left the sheet of paper upon the
desk and ringing the bell sent for
Lenora. She appeared in few mo-
ments and came over to his side.
What is It, Mr. Quest?" she asked.
He gave her the letter without re-
mark She read 1t through and, turn
ING slowly around, looked at him ex-
pectantly.
"Hows that seem to your he
asked reaching out his hand for a
cigar
Very sensible, indeed" she replied
Cts no sort of life this for a mar.