Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-05-20
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII.
The professor reused himself from
What had apparently been a very
aoomy reverie. !
F"Well,' he announced, II must go
Bme. II has been very kind Of you,
1r. Quest, to keep me here for so
Ing"
lQuest glanced at the clock.
"Don't hurry, Mr.. Ashleigh," he
sid. Eve may get some news at any
nPment. French has a dozen men
at on the search and he has prom.
ifd to ring me up Immediately he
liars anything" .r} 49,
Fhe professor sighed. ...
IA man." he declared, who for
t1enty years can deceive his master
al utterly and completely as Craig
his done me, who is capable of such
dhbolical outrages, and who, when
cpture stares him in the face, is
chable Of al escape such as he made
tfay. is outside the laws Of prob
ability. Personally, l do rot believe
tlat 1 shall ever again see the face
d my servant, any more than that
Yu, Quest, will entirely solve the
1ystery of these murders and the
teft OF the Rheinholdt jewels. What
pm we do against men who have re.
iolving staircases and trolley-loads
4 river pirates waiting for them?
fou may be a scientific criminologist,
quest, but that fellow Craig is a
.icientifc criminal, if ever there was
Quest crossed the room towards his
tigar cabinet, and opened it. His little
start was apparent to both of them.
laid down the bag which she
had just lifted up. The professor
forward IN his CHAIR. II
What is it. Quest? he demanded.
Quest stretched out his hand and
picked up from the top of the cigars
I small black box! He laid 1t on the
able.
Unless I am very much mistaken"
said, ut is another communication
rom u mysterious friend" g'.
"1mpossible!" the professor ex-
claimed hoarsely.
How can he have been here?" LIE.
lora cried.
Quest removed the lid from the
and drew out a circular card.
the outside edge was a very
pen and ink sketch of a life
'uoy, and inside the margin we're
everal sentences Of clear handwrit-
ng.. In the middle was the sigma.
ure-the clenched hands! Quest
cad the message aloud,
In the great scheme Of things, the
Ruler Of the universe dI.
'Ided an inheritance amongst his
hiIdren. To one he gave power, to
mother strength, to another beauty,
ut to his favorite he gave cunning.
They. all looked at one another.
What does it mean?' Lenora
"A lifebuoy!" the professor muir.
lured.
They both stared at Quest, who re-
'ained silent, chewing hard at the
nd Of his cigar.
Every message" he said, speaking
alt to himself, "has had some sig
iicance. What does this mean-a
febuoy?" AZ. -
He was silent for a moment. Then
. turned suddenly to the professor.
What did you call those men in the
:otortruck, professor-river pirates?
a. lifebuoy! Wait"
He crossed the room towards his
esk and returned with a list in his
md. He ran his finger down it,
opped and glanced at the date.
The Durham" he m%uttered, cargo
'tton. destination Southampton, sails
high tide on the 10Th. Lenora, is
at calendar right"
ITS the 18th, Mr.. Quest" she an.
vered.
Quest crossed the room to the tele.
lone.
II want number one, central" he'll
i'd. Thank you! Put me through
Mr.. French's office. . Hello.
'ench! I've got an idea. Can you
me round here at once and bring
automobile? I want to get down
the docks-not where the passen.
r steamers start from-lower down.
Good! Wen wait"
Quest hung up the receiver.
See here, professor he continued.
fellow wouldn't dare to send !
is message if he weren't pretty sure
getting off. He's made all his
ans beforehand, but it's my belief /.
shall just get IL hands upon him, I
Ter all"
Presently the heard the automobile {,
outside and French appeared. !
Anything doing?" he asked. :
Quest showed him the card and the !
list. q
The inspector glanced at the clock. '