Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1915-06-18
SEVENTH iNSTALlMENT
THE HOUSE OF MYSTERY.
CHAPTER XVI.


ference was proceeding In Quests
study. The professor was there. seat
ed In the most comfortable easy
chair, smoking without relish one OF
his hosts best cigars, watching with
nervous impotence the closed door
Laura and Lsnora were seated at the
table. dressed for the street. They
had the air Of being prepared for
some excursion. Quest. realizing the
professors highly strung state, had
left him alone for few moments
and was studying map Of New York
The latter, however, was too Ill at
ease to keep silent for long.
Our friend French" he remarked,
gave you no clue, suppose. as to the
direction In which his Investigations
are leading him."
Quest glanced up from the map.
None at all know. however, that
the house In which Lenora here was
confined is being watched closely"
The professor glanced across to
ward the table before which Lenora
was seated,
1T seems strange" he continued.
that the young lady should have so
little to tell Us about her incsrcsra'
ton"
Lenora shiversd for moment.
What could there be to tell" she
IS. I'D, except that 1t was all horrible
and that / felt things-felt dangers-
which couldn't describe"
The professor gave vent to an i'm
patient little exclamation.
Il am not speaking for fancies." no
persisted. "You had food brought to
you. for instance Could you never
see the hand VIII Oh placed 1t inside
your room? Co.id you hear nothing
Of the footsteps OF the person who
brought ~ Could you not even sur
mice whether 1t we're a man or
woman"
Lsnora answered him with an evil
dent effort. She had barely, as yet
recovered from the shock OF those
awful hours.
The person who brought me the
food" she said, came at night--neyer
In the daytime. never heard any
thing. The most ever saw was once
i happened to be looking toward
the door and I saw pair OF hands
nothing m0re-setting down q tray. l
shrieked and called out think that
I almost tainted. When ] found cour'
age enough to look. there was nothing
there but the tray upon the floor"
The professor sighed as he turned
away. =.
1T IL evident, l am afraid" be said,
that Miss Lenora's q ience will help
no one. Az 40 expert In these AFFAIRS.
Mr. Quest, does It not seem to you
that her Imprisonment WAS just a III
tie purpossless? There seems to nave
been no attempt to harm her In any
way"
"Whosysr took the risk Of abduct'
ing her" Quest pointed out grimiy'
did 1t for a purpose. That purpose
would probably have been devef
oped In course of time. However we
look at II. Mr.. Ashleigh. there was
only one man who must have been
anxious to get her out OF the way. and
that man was Craig. Here comes our
friend French. have an Idea that ne
has something to tell US"
They glanced expectantly towards
the door a. French entered. The In
spector, who was looking very spruce
and well brushed. wished them gen
sral good morning His eyes rested
last and longest upon Laura. who
seemed. however. unconscious OF his
presence,
Now, then. French" Quest began
a. he returned his greeting, take a
cigar, make yourself comfortable In
that chair and let Us have your news
Az you see, we have obeyed orders
We are all ready to follow you any
where"
1T won't be to the end of the world
anyway" the inspector remarked, al
he lit his cigar. Il am going to pro
pose O little excursion down Gayson
avenue way"
Back to that housef" Lenora ex'
claimed with o grimace.
The inspector nodded.
I'VE have had those boys at the
station" he went on. and we have
questioned them carefully. 1t seems
that after they had picked up the ball
man came out Of the side entrances
Of the house, saw them reading Mist
Lsnora's message, and shouted aftel
them. The boys had sense enough
10 scoot. The man ran after them
but had to give It up. Here 10 thell
description Of him"
The inspector took q piece OF pa
Der from his pocket. They all Waite'
breathlsssly.
Had to drag this out OF the boys
BIT BY Bit" the inspector proceeded
but boiled down and put into reason
able language. this is what i come