Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1915-06-04
FIFTH lNSTALLMENT
ON THE RACK.
CHAPTER XII.

For the moment new element had
been introduced into the horror Of the
little tableau All eyes were fixed upon
Quest, who listened to the inspector $
dubious words with supercilious
smile upon his lips.
Perhaps" he suggested, you would
like to ask me a few questions?
Perhaps | may feel 1t my duty to
do so" the 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 morning decided to make an
attempt to clear up the mystery Of
Macdougal's disappearance | sent on
my secretary, Miss Laura, to make
friends with the section boss, and
L-nora and went out by automobile
a little later, We instituted search
on new principle, and before very
long We found Macdougals body.
That's one up against you, think, in.
spector."
Very likely" the inspector OBJ
served Go on, please.
Il left the two young ladies, at Miss
Lenora's wish, to superintend the re-.
moval of the body. myself had an
engagement to deliver over her Jew.
els to Mrs. Rheinholdt here at mid.
day. returned TO where my automo.
bile was waiting, started for the city
and was attacked by two thugs near
the section house. | got away from
them, ran to the tower house to try
and stop the freight, was followed by
the thugs, and jumped out on to the
last car from the signal arm"
Where Is your automobile"
mo idea," Quest replied Il left II
In the road When jumped from the
freight car took a taxicab to the pro
fessor's and called for him, as ar
ranged"
ne inspector NODDED.
Il shall have to ask you to excuse
me for moment" he said while |
ring up number ten signal tower II
Mr. Quests story receives corrobora'
ton the matter ID at an end"
The inspector left the room almost
Immediately.
When he returned he was looking
graver than ever
Quest" he announced, your abb
10 useless-in fact. little worse than
useless The operator at number ten
has been found murdered at the back
Of the tower!"
Quest started,
81 ought not to have left him to
those thugs" he murmured regret
fully.
There is no automobile Of yours In
the vicinity" the inspector continued,
nor any news of It. think 1t will be
as well now, Quest. for this matter to
take Its obvious course. VIII you,
first OF all, hand over her jewels to
Mrs. Rheinholdt?"
Quest drew the keys Of the safe
from his pocket crossed the room and
swung open the safe door For mo-
ment afterwards he stood transfixed
His arm half outstretched, remained
motionless Then he turned slowly
around.
The Jewels have been stolen" he
announced with unnatural calm.
The inspector laid his hand heavily
upon Quests shoulder.
You will kindly consider yourself
under arrest, Quest. Ladies and gen
tlemen, will you clear the room now
II you please The ambulance tele
phoned for is outside"
The professor who had been look
ing as though dazed, suddenly inter
vened.
"Mr. French" he said earnestly, "a
am convinced that you are making o
great mistake. In arresting and TAX
ing away Mr.. Quest you are removing
from us the one man who is likely &c
be able to clear up this mystery"
The inspector pushed him gentl!
TO one side.
you will excuse me, professor" he
said but this is no matter for argu
ment If Mr.. Quest can clear himself
no one will be more glad than |.
Quest shrugged his shoulders.
THE inspector will have his little
joke" he observed dryly, ITS al
right, girls. Keep COOL he went On
ns he saw the tears in Lenora's eyes
Come round and see me in the
Tombs, one of you"
The ambulance men came and de-
parted with their grim burden, the
room on the ground floor was locked
and sealed, and the house was soon
empty except for the two girls. To-
ward three o'clock Lenora went out
and returned with newspaper, She
opened 1t out upon the table and they
both pored over It.
Justice Thorpe has refused to con-
slider bail He's q guy. that Justice
Thorpe, and SOS the idiot who wrote
this stpR!" Laura exclaimed, thrust.
s--e-----r----~-y------'----'