Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1915-08-12
CHAPTER XVII.

The professor reused himself from
what had apparently been very
gloomy REVERE.
Well" he announced. Il must go
home Ii has been very kind OF you.
Mr. Quest. TO keep me here for 30
long"
Quest glanced at the clock
Don't hurry. Mr. Ashleigh." he
said We may get some news at any
moment French has dozen men
out on the search and he has prom
ised to ring me up Immediately he
hears anything"
The professor sighed
"A man." he declared, who for
twenty years can deceive his master
as utterly and completely as Craig
has done me. who is capable OF such
diabolical outrages. and who when
capture stares him In the face, IL
capable OF an escape such as he made
today, Is outside the laws OF prob
ability. Personally. | do not believe
that | shall ever again see the face
you, Quest. will entirely solve the
mystery OF these murders and the
theft OF the Rheinholdt jewels What
can we do against men who have re-
volving staircases and trolley-loads
of river pirates waiting for them7
You may be a scientific criminologist,
Quest. but that fellow Craig is a
cote %
one"
Quest crossed the room towards his
cigar cabinet. and opened II. His little
start was apparent TO both OF them
Lenora laid down the bag which she
had just lifted up. The professor
leaned forward in his chair
What is It. Quest?" he demanded
Quest stretched out his hand and
picked up from the top OF the cigars
a small black box, He laid II on the
table
Unless / am very much mistaken"
he said. ut is another communication
from our mysterious friend"
impossible the professor ex-
claimed hoarsely.
How can he have been here?" I>e-
nora cried
Quest removed the lid from the
box and drew out circular card
Around the outside edge was a very
clever pen and Ink sketch OF life
buoy, and inside the margin were
several sentences OF clear handwrit-
Ing. In the middle was the sigma.
ture-the clenched bands Quest
read the message aloud:
In the great scheme Of thlnos, the
Supreme Ruler Of the universe d..
vlded an inheritance amongst his
children. To one he gave power, TO
another strength. to another beauty.
but to his fsvorlte he gave cunnIno.
They all looked at one another.
What does It mean" Lenora
gasped
"A lifebuoy," the professor muir.
INJURED.
They both stared at Quest. who re-
NAMED silent, chewing hard at the
end OF his cigar.
Every message" he said, speaking
half to himself, has had some sig
nincance. What does this mean-a
lifebuoy?"
lie was silent for a moment. Then
he turned suddenly to the professor
What did you call those men in the
motortruck. professor-rlver pirates,
And lifebuoyl Walt"
lie crossed the room towards his
desk and returned with a list I'm his
hand. He ran his finger down ~
stopped and glanced at the date.
The Durham" he muttered. cargo
cotton, destination Southampton. sails
at high tide on the 10th. Lenora. ia
that calendar right"
ITS the 10th, Mr.. Quest" she an
swered
Quest crossed the room to the tela-
phone.
want number one, central" he
said. Thank you! Put me through
to Mr.. Frenchs Office HeIIo
French! I've got an idea. Can Won
come round here at once and hiring
an automobile? | want to get down
TO the docks-not where the nassau.
ger steamers start from-lower down.
Good Wen wait"
Quest hung up the receiver.
See here. professor" he continued
that Fellow wouldn't dare to send
'his message II he weren't pretty sure
OF getting OFF. He's made all bIs
plans beforehand. but It's my belief
we Shall Just get our hands upon him.
after all"
presently the heard the automobile
STOP outside and French appeared.
Anything doing?" he asked.
quest showed him the card and the
sailing list.