The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1915-04-03
ON THE RACK

ON THE RACK
CHAPTER XII.
Fer the moment new element had been intro
duced into the horror Of the little tableau All eyes
were dxed upon Quest. who had listened to the in
upon hic fps.
Perhaps" he suggested. "yoc would like to ask
me few Questions?"
Perhaps l may feel 1t my duty to do So" tho
inspector replied gravely In the first place. then.
Mr. Quest. will you kindly explain the condition OF
your clothes?"
Quest shrugged his shoulders.
Here you are, then," he replied. This morn
ing decided to make an attempt to clear up the
mystery Of Macdougals disappearance / sent
my secretary. Miss Laura. to make friends with
the section boss, and Lenora and I went out by
automobile little later. We instituted a search
a new principle. and before very long we found
Macdougal's body. That's one up against you.
think. inspector"
Very likely" tho inspector observed. "Go on.
2lnase."
II LETT the two young ladies, at Miss Lenora's
wish. to supertrtend the removal OF the body. I
myself haG engagement to deliver her
jewels 10 Mrs. Rheihh~ldt here at midday.
turned to where my automobile was waiting. start.
ed for the city and was attacked by two thugs
near the section house. got away from them. ran
to tho tower house to try and stop the freight
followed BY tho thugs and jumped out on to the
last car from the signal arm" a
"Where is your automobile?
mo idea." Quest replied. II left It In the road.
cab to the professors and called for him. as al.
ranged"
The inspector nodded
Il shall have to ask you to excuse me for a
:rent." he said, while ring up number ten sig
nal tower. III Mr.. Quests story receives corrobo-
ration the matter is at an end"
The inspector left the room almost Immediately
When he returned he looking graver than
ever.
Quest" he announced, "your albi is useless-in
fact, little worse than useless. The operator at
number ten has been found murdered at the back
OF the tower!"
Quest started.
Il ought not to have left him to those thugs"
he murrnured regretfuly.
There is automobile Of yours in the vicin-
ity" the inspector continued, nor any news OF it.
I think it will be as we'll now, Quest for this mat
tar to take its obvious course. Will you, first O.
oil, hand over her jewels to Mrs. Rhenholdt?"
Quest drew the keys of the safe from his pocket
crossed the room and swung open the safe door,
For . moment afterwards he stood transfxed. His
arm. half outstretched, remained motionless. Then
he turned slowly around.
Tho jewels have been stolen," he announced
with unnatural calm.
The inspector laid his hand heavily upon Quests
shoulder.
.You win kindly consider yourself under arrest.
Quest Ladies and gentlemen. will you clear the
room now. II you please. Tho ambulance l tele-
phoned for is outside"
The professor, who had been looking Is though
dazed. suddenly intervened.
"Mr. French" he said earnestly. IT am convinced
that you are making q great mistake. In arresting
and taking away Mr. Quest you removing from
us the who is likely to be able to clear
mp this mystery"
Tho inspector pushed him gently to one side
you will excuse me, professor" he said, but
<his 10 no matter for argument. If Mr.. Quest can
uIAA naA1f M nV1yf01 ho C1oH fhar
Quest shrugged his shoulders.
The inspector will have his little joke" he OBJ
eerved dryly. TITS all right girls. Keep cool" he
went on. as he saw the tears in Lenora's eyes,
Como round and see me in the Tombs. one Of YOU I"
TIE ambulance men came and departed with
their grim burden, the room on the ground floor
WAS locked and sealed, and the house soon
Ampti except for tho two girls Toward three
o'clock Lenora went out and returned with a news
paper. She opened 1t out upon the table and they
both pored over it.
"'Justice Thorpe has refused to consider bail!
Hes q guy, that Justice Thorpe, and SOS the
itiot who wrote this stun!" Laura exclaimed.
tarrst.ng the paper away from her. Il guess the
was locking up the one man who could clear up
the whole show"
L-nora nodded thoughtfully
T professor spoke up like man." she agreed,
"brt Laura. want to ask you something. Did you
notice his servant-that man Craig?"
Cant say did particularly" Laura admitted
"Twice," Lenora continued. Il thought he was
going to faint. tell you he was scared the whole
OF the tino"
What are you getting at. kid?" Laura demanded
AT Craig. II l can." Lenora replied, moving
.owsrd the telephone "Please give me the photo.
tele-me. I am going to talk to the professor"
Laura adjusted the mirror to the instrument and
:Isnorn rang up. The professor himself answered
tho ,aii.
"J.sva Sas seAa t:,s threa O'Clock edition, profess
sort! Lon1-& asked.
= nsver read newspapsss. young LADY," tha pro
tAasoe sspsAd. >~,~~