The Holly chieftain., 1915-07-30

To Sanford Quest:
Gather your people in Professor
AshIeigh's library at ten o'clock to-
night. ! will be there and tell you my
whole story. JOHN CRAIG.
The professor sat for a moment
speechless.
Then he meant it, after ALL" he
exclaimed at last.
Seems like it," Quest admitted. I'll
just telephone to French"
The professor rose to his feet.
knocked the ash from his cigar, strug
gled into his coat and took up his hat
Then he waited until Quest had COM
pleted his conversation. The latter's
face had grown grave and puzzled. II
was obvious that he was receiving in
formation of some importance. He
put down the instrument at last with
curt word of farewell.
The professor moved towards the
door,
IF only this may prove to be the
end!" he sighed.
Quest spent the next hour or so in
restless deliberations. There were
still many things which puzzled him
At about quarter past nine Lenora
and Laura arrived, dressed for their
expedition.
"I'm afraid we are in for bad
thunderstorm. girls" Quest remarked.
Laura laughed.
Who cares? The automobiles
there, Mr. Quest"
Let's go, then" he replied
They descended into the street and
drove to the professors house in ST.
lence. Even Laura was feeling the
strain Of these last hours of anxiety
On the way they picked up French
and plain-clothes man and the whole
party arrived at their destination just
as the storm broke. The professor
met them in the hall. He. too. seemed
tomary equanimity
Come this way, my friends" he in
vited. IF Craig keeps his word, he
will be here now within a few min
utes. This way"
They followed him into the library.
Chairs were arranged around the table
in the middle Of the room and they
all sat down, The professor took out
his watch. 1t was five minutes to
ten.
in few minutes" he continued
solemnly this weight Is to be lifted
from the minds of all of US. have come
to the conclusion that on this occa-
sion Craig will keep his word. l am
not sure, mind, but l believe that he
is in the house at this present moment
| have heard movements in the room
which belonged to him. I have not
| interfered. l have been content to
wait"
| He has at least not tried escape"
| Quest remarked. French here brought
news of him. He has been living with
his niece very quietly, but without
or any signs of wishing to leave the
city"
Il had that girl brought to my Office"
French remarked, barely an hour ago,
| but she slipped away while we were
| talking. Say, what's that"
They all rose quickly to their feet.
In a momentary lull of the storm they
could hear distinctly girls shrill
calling from outside, followed by the
| clamor of angry voices.
Gee! l bet that's the girl" French
exclaimed. Shed been looking up
the professors address in directory"
They all hurried out into the hall.
10 v,1oip 1ph hoI
left on guard was standing there with
his hand upon Craig's collar. The
girl, sobbing bitterly, was clinging to
his arm. Craig was making desperate
efforts to escape. Directly he saw the
little party issue from the library, how
ever the strength seemed to pass from
his limbs. He remained In the clutches
of his captor, limp and helpless.
81 caught the girl trying to make her
way into the house." the latter ex-
planned. "She called out and this man
came running downstairs, right into
my arms"
1T is quite all right" the professor
said, in dignified tone. You may
release them both. Craig was on his
way to keep an appointment here at
ten o'clock. Quest. will you and the
inspector bring him in? Let us re-
sumo our places at the table"
The little procession made its way
down the hall. The girl was still
clinging to her uncle.
What are they going to do to you,
these people?" she sobbed They
sha'nt hurt you. They sha'n't!"