Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-05-26
SEVENTH INSTALLMENT
THE HOUSE OF MYSTERY. -
CHAPTER XVI.

Something In the nature or con-
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 Lenora 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 a few moments
and was studying a map Of New York.
The latter, however, was too i'll 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. l 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
vas seated.
ct seems strange" he continued,
shat the young lady should have so
little to teil us about her incarcera-
ton"
Lenora shivered for a moment.
what could there be to tell" she
asked, except that it was all horrible,
and that felt things-felt dangers
61
The professor gave vent to an i'm
patient little exclamation.
81 am not speaking for fancies," he
persisted "You had food brought to
you. for instance. Could you never
see the hand which placed it inside
your room? Could you hear nothing
Of the footsteps of the person who
brought it? Could you not even sur
misc whether it were a man or a
woman"
Lenora answered him with an evil
dent effort. She had barely, as yet,
recovered from the shock of those
awful hears.
Tine person who brought me the
food" she said, "came at night-never
in the daytime. never heard any
thing. The most ever saw was once
II happened to be looking toward
the door aud saw pair of hands
nothing more-setting down tray. /
shrieked and called out. think that
/ almost tainted. When found cou--
age enough to look, there was nothing
there but tne tray upon the floor"
The professor sighed as he turned
away.
1T is evident. am afraid" he said,
that Miss Lenora's evidence will help
no one. AS an expert in these affairs,
Mr.. Quest, does it not seem to you
that her Imprisonment was just lit
tie purposeless? There seems to have
been no attempt to harm her in any
way"
Whoever took the risk of abduct-
ing her." Quest pointed out grimly,
did it for a purpose. That purpose
would probably have been devel-
oped in course of time. However we
look at it, 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. I have an idea that he
has something to tell u.s."
They glanced expectantly towards
the door as French entered The in
spector, who was looking very spruce
and well brushed, wished them a gen.
eral good-morning. His eyes rested
last and longest upon Laura, who
seemed, however, unconscious Of his
presence.
Now, then, French" Quest began,
as he returned his greeting, take a
cigar, make yourself comfortable in
that chair and let us have your news.
As you see, we have obeyed orders.
We are oil ready to follow you any
where"
at went be to. the end of the world,
anyway the inspector remarked, as
he lit his cigar. 81 am going to pro-
pose a little excursion DOWN Gayson
avenue way"
Back to that house?" Lenora ex-
claimed with a grimace.
The inspector nodded
1--WE have had those boys at the
-. - .. - - - - =. =. :. - -,