davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14

going off duty. He recognized Quest
with little exclamation.
Got your man to bring me here, "
Quest explained so as to get away
from the mob"
Say. you've been in troubled" the
inspector remarked. leading the way
into his room.
''Bit of an explosion. that's all"
Quest replied, Il shall be all right
when you've lent me a clothesbrush. ="
"The Ashleigh diamonds. eh?" the
inspector asked eagerly.
Il shall have them at nine o'clock
this morning." Sanford Quest prom
ised, and hand you over the muir
derer somewhere around midnight"
Quest slept for a couple Of hours,
had bath and made leisurely toilet.
At a quarter to nine lie sat down to
breakfast in his rooms.
AT nine o'clock he told his serv.
ant, "a young lady will call. Bring
her up"
The door IVES suddenly opened Le-
nora walked in. Quest glanced in sur
prise at the clock.
My fault" he exclaimed. I'VE are
SLOW Goodrnorning, Miss Lenora!"
She came straight to the table. She
Ia a little packet upon the table
Quest opened it coolly. The Ashleigh
diamonds flushed up at him. He
led Lenora to a chair and rang a bell
Prepare bedroom upstairs" he
ordered ASK Miss Roche 10 come
here. Laura" he added, as his
secretary entered, will you look after
this young LADY,"
A few minutes later Inspector
French was announced. Quest nodded
in a friendly manner.
Some coffee. Inspector"
"rd rather have those diamonds."
Quest threw them lightly across the
table.
The Inspector wbistle0.
And now, French, will you be here.
please, at midnight, with three men,
arrned?"
"Here?" the inspector repeated.
Quest nodded.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14
1.-THE TENEMENT HOUSE MYs-
Terry"
CHAPTER !.

This habit of becoming late for
breakfast" Lady Ashleigh remarked,
as she sat down the coffee pot, lis
growing upon your father. Any news,
dear?"
Ella glanced up from pile of cor
respondence through which she had
been looking little negligently.
None at all. mother. My CORE
epondence is just the usual sort ofrub-
DETERMINATIONS and gossip. Such a
lot OF invitations, by the bye"
"At your age" Lady Ashleigh de.
clared, that is the sort of correspond
ence which you should find interest
ing"
you know am not like that, moth
err" she protested my music is really
the only part of life which absolutely
appeals to me. Oh, why doesn't Della
reg make up his mind and let father
know, as he promised! =. Here
comes daddy, num-"
Lord Ashleigh loitered for a mo-
ment to raise the covers from the
dishes upon a side table. Afterwards
he seated himself at the table.
Il heard this morning" he said,
from your friend Delarey, Ella. He
went into the matter very fully. The
substance of it is that for the first
year Of your musical training he adj
vises New York.
- have not finished yet This cable
gram" he went on, drawing a little
slip of blue paper from his pocket,
was brought to me this morning"
He smoothed it out before him and
read:
To Lord Ashleigh, Hamblin House, Dor
set, England: / find a magnificent pro-
gram arranged for at Metropolitan Opera
house this year. Have taken box for
your daughter. engaged the best profess
sor in the world, and secured an apart
ment at the Leland, our most select and
comfortable residential hotel. Understand
your brother is still in South America, re-
turning early spring. but will do our best
70 make your daughters year Of study as
pleasant as possible. Advise her sail on
Saturday by Mauritania
"on Saturday." Ella almost
screamed.
u shall now" Lord Ashleigh said,
'1eave you to talk over and discuss
this matter for the rest Of the day
At dinner time tonight you can tell me
your decision, or rather we will dis
cuss it together"
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14
RepuhIIoan Guidance Needed.

The Democrats blame the war.
They harp upon that one string. Yet
the enormity of their financial excess
is fact that cannot be eradicated.
The country has an unproductive and
discouraging tariff law, an unwieldy
and little serviceable currency law; an
inquisitorial income tax law, and
burdensome so-called war tax law. Yet
it stands in the place of the money
lender begging-or presently will do
so-for funds. The story Of the last
congress does not make pleasant read.
ing. Mr.. Gillett is right in saying that
the trails of revenue failures and prof.
legacy lead to the executive chambers
and point to the president and his cab.
met as primarily responsible 1t is
unfortunate that the country should
not now have the opportunity of ex-.
pressing itself. so 80 to turn its affairs
over to the competent Republicans
and to discharge the incompetent DEM
ocrats.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14
CHAPTER ~.

There seemed to be nothing az all
original il the methods pursued by
the great criminologist when con
fronted with this tabIeau of death and
robbery. Ills remarks to the inspec-
tor we're few and perfunctory. He
asked only few languid questions of
Macdougal and Lenora, who were
summoned to his presence.
Macdougal then turned to leave the
room. Lenora was about to follow,
but Quest signed to her to remain.
81 should like to have little con-
versation with you about your mis-
tress." he said to her pleasantly. IF
you don't mind, will ask you to &C,
company me in my car. l will ser4
the man back with you
They descended in the lift together
and Quest handed the girl into his car.
They drove quickly through the silent
streets.
In a few minutes Lenora was In
stalled in an easy chair in Quests sit.
ting-room
Lean back and make yourself COM
Portable" Quest invited, as he took
chair opposite to her. Il must just
look through these papers"
The girl did as sia was told. She
opened her coat The ruc;n Was de-
lightfully warm, almost overheated. A
sense of rest crept over her She was
conscious that Quest had laid down
the letters which he had been pre-
tending to read. His eyes we're fixed
upon her. There was a queer new
look in them. a strange new feeling
creeping through her veins.
Quests voice broke an unnatural
silence.
''You are anxious to telephone some
one" he said. You looked at both
the booths as we came through the
hotel. Then you remembered, think,
that he would not be there yet. Tele-
phone now. The telephone is al our
right hand. You know the number"
She obeyed almost at once.
Number 700, New York city"
fYou will ask" Quest continued.
whether he is all right whether the
jewels are safe"
There was brief silence then the
girls voice.
Are you there, James? Yes,
| am Lenora. Are you safe? Have
you the jewels? Where?
You are sure that you are safe? -. :.
No, nothing fresh has happened"
you are at the hotel" Quest said
softly. you are going to him.
81 cannot sleep" she continued. 81
am coming to you"
She set down the receiver. Quest
leaned little more closely over her.
You know where the jewels are
hidden" he said. Tell me where?"
Her lips quivered. She made no an
swer.
VERY good" Quest concluded. you
need not tell me Only remember this:
At nine o'clock tomorrow morning you
will bring those jewels to this apart
ment. Rest quietly now.
want you TO go to sleep"
She obeyed without hesitation.
Quest watched, for a moment, her
regular breathing Then he touched
bell by his side. Laura entered al
most at once.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14
CHAPTER III.

The streets of New York were COW
cred with thin, powdery snow as the
very luxurious car of Mrs. Delarey
drew up outside the front Of the Le-
land hotel, little after midnight. Ella
leaned over and kissed her hostess.
Thank you, dear, ever so much,
for your delightful dinner" she ex-
claimed, "and for bringing me home.
AS for the music, well, / can't talk
about 1t. l am just going upstairs
into my room to sit and think"
The car rolled Off Ella, a large
umbrella held over her head by the
doorkeeper, stepped up the little strip
of drugget which led into the softly
warmed hall of the Leland. Behind
her came her maid, Lenora, and Mac
dougal, who had been riding on the
box with the chauffeur He paused
for a moment to wipe the snow from
his clothes as Ella crossed the hall to
the left. Lenora turned toward him.
He whispered something in her ear.
For a moment she shook. Then she
turned away and followed her mis-
tress upstairs.
Arrived in her apartment, Ella
threw herself with little sigh of con-
tent into a big easy-chair before the
ire and gave herself up for few mo-
ments to reverie.
A log stirred upon the fire. She
leaned forward lazily to replace it and
then stopped short. Exactly opposite
to her was a door which opened on
to back hall. 1t was used only by
the servants. Just as she was in the
act Of leaning forward Ella became
conscious of curious hallucination.
'Lenora, come here at once"
Thu maid hr1rrfad In from the naYf
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14

der bruised. HIS head swimming lit
tie. Suddenly a CLEAN OF light shone
down. A trap-door above his head
was slid few inches back. The flare
OF an electric torch shone upon his
face, a mans voice addressed him.
Not tie .eat Sanford Quest? This
surely cannot be the greatest detec-
tive in the world walking so easily in
to the spiders Web"
ANY chance of getting out?" Quest
asked laconically.
Monet" was the bitter reply.
You've done enough mischief. You're
there to rot"
why this aninlus against me. my
friend Macdougal?" Quest demanded.
You and / have never come up
against one another before. ] didn't
like the life you led in New York ten
years ago, or your friends. but you've
suffered nothing through me-
IF ! let you CO. once more came
the mans voice. Il know very we'll in
what chair I shall be sitting before
a month has passed. am James Mac
dougai, Mr.. Sanford Quest, and have
got the Ashleigh diamonds. and / have
settled an old grudge. ii not OF my own,
of one greater than you. That's all.
! A pleasant night to youl"
The door went down with a bang.
"A perfect oubliette," he remarked
to himself, as he held a match over
his head moment or two later, built
for the purpose. IL must be the house
We failed to find which Bill Taylor
used TO keep before he was shot
Smooth brick walls, smooth brick floor,
only exit twelve feet above ones mead.
Human means, apparently. are useless.
Science. you have been my mistress all
my days. You must save nay life now
or lose an earnest disciple"
Quest felt in his overcoat pocket
and drew out the small. hard pellet.
. He gripped 1t in his fingers, stood
as nearly as possible underneath the
spot from which he had been project
ed. cooily swung his arm back, and
flung the black pebble against the
sliding door. The explosion which fol.
lowed shook the very ground under
his feet. For minutes afterwards
everything around him seemed to
rock. Then Sanford Quest emerged
dusty but unhurt, and touched a con
stable on his arm
Arrest me-" he ordered 81 am San.
ford Quest. I must be taken a. once
TO headquarters"
They found a cab without much diff.
ficulty. IT was five O'Clock when they
reached the central police station,
Inspector French happened to be just
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14

Together they carried the sleeping
girl out of the room into a larger
apartment A single electric light was
burning on the top of a square mirror
fixed upon an easel. Towards this
they carried the girl and laid her in an
easy chair almost opposite to It.
THE battery is just on the left"
Laura whispered.
guest nodded.
Give me the band"
She turned away for a moment and
disappeared in the shadows. When
she returned. she carried a curved
band of flexible steel. Quest took it
from her, attached it by means of a
coil of wire to TIE battery, and with
firm, soft fingers slipped it on to
Lenora's forehead. Then he stepped
back
She's a subject, Laura-Pm sure
of it! Now for our great experiment."
They watched Lenora intently.
"Lenora," Quest said, slowly and
firmly. your mir1 is full of one sub.
jeet. You see your mistress in her
chair by the freside. She is toying
with her diamonds. Look again. She
lies there dead! Who was it entered
the room. Lenora? Look! Look!
Gaze into that mirror, What do you
see there?"
The girls eyes had opened. They
were fixed now upon the mirror-dis-
tended, full of unholy things
TRY harder, Lenora he muttered,
his own breath laboring 1t is there
in your brain! Look"
For a single second the smooth sur
face of the mirror was obscured. A
room crept dimly like a picture into
being, a fire upon the hea- IN, a girl
leaning back in her chair A door
in the background opened man
stole out He crept nearer to the girl
his eyes fixed upon the diamonds, a
thin, silken cord twisted round his
wrist. Suddenly she saw him-too
late! His hand was upon her lips,
his face seemed to start almost from
the mirror-then blackness!
Lenora opened her eyes. She was
still in the easy chair before the fres
MIR. Quest!" she faltered.
He looked up from some letters
which he had been studying
Il am so sorry" he SAID politely. 81
really had forgotten that you were
here. But you know-that you have
been to sleep?"
Can go now?" she asked.
Certainly" Quest replied. ITO tell
you the truth, find that [ shall not
need to ask you those questions. after
all. A messenger from the police sta
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14
CHAPTER v.

Sanford Quest was naturally a per-
son unaffected by presentiments OF
nervous fears of any sort, yet, having
advanced a couple OF yards along the
hallway of the house which he had
just entered without difficulty, he came
to a standstili. oppressed with the
sense Of impending danger.
Anyone here?" Do asked, raising
his voice.
There was no direct response, yet
from somewhere upstairs he heard the
half-smothered cry of a woman. He
gripped his revolver in his fingers. He
took quick step forward. The floor
gave way beneath him. He was fall
ing into blackness.
The fall itself was scarcely a dozen
feet He picked himself u. his shoul-
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14
FIRST INSTALLMENT
SANFORD QUEST, cRIMINoLo
GST."

The young man from the West had
arrived in New York only that after
noon, and his cousin, town born and
bred, had already embarked upon the
task of showing him the grea' city.
They occupied table in somewhat
Insignificant corner of one OF New
York's most famous roof garden res
taurants. The place was crowded
with diners. There we're many nota-
oilities to be pointed out The town
young man was very busy.
Tell me-" the country cousin in
quired, who is the man at a table by
himself? The walters speak to him
as though he were a little god Is he
a millionaire, or Judge, or what?"
You're in luck, Alfred" the New
Yorker declared. That's the most in
teresting man in New York-one of
the most interesting in the world
That's Sanford Quest"
who's he?"
Sanford Quest is the greatest mas
te' in crimiuology the world has ever
known. He is a magician, scientist.
tie Pierpont Morgan of his profess
sion"
Say, do you mean that he is de-
tective?"
Yes" he said simply, you can call
him that-just in the same way that
you could call Napoleon a soldier or
Lincoln statesman. He is a detec-
tive, If you like to call him that, the
master detective in the world"
When Sanford Quest entered his
house an hour later he glanced into
two of the rooms on the ground floor,
in which telegraph and telephone OPP
orators sat at their instruments.
Then, by means of small lift, he as
cended to the top story and entered
d large apartment wrapped in gloom
until. as he crossed the threshold, he
touched the switches of the electric
lights. One realized then that this
was a man of taste. Quest drew up
an easy chair to the wide-fung win
dow, touching bell as he crossed the
room. In a few moments the door was
opened and closed noiselessly. A
young woman entered with a bundle
of papers.
The criminologist glanced through
the papers quickly. No further in
Quiries, Laura?"
She left the room almost noiselessly.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14

dewy-lipped little miss with all the
artlessness Of the country maiden writ
in every feature Of her dainty face and
line of her trim little figure. AS she
tripped along she gazed now right, now
left unon the waiting throng, as
though expectant of someone. When
just opposite the group of young men
waiting for the friend she stopped,
fixed her big, blue eyes for a moment
upon tall. young Jim, and then. with
an ejaculation Of delight, flung two
round arms about his neck, planted a
resounding kiss squarely upon his lips
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14

confusion and was lost in the throng
before the lucky Jim had time TO re-
cover himself and offer to help hunt
Cousin Jack
Jim's companions were loud in their
expressions Of envy. And Jim was
copiously Ioquacious in detailing all
the sensations tbzt titillated through
him when thoss soft arms encircied
his neck aDS the full. red lips were
pressed &c his. Jim was good master
Of talk ard graphically described it all
again ard again to the minutest de-
tails--but he didn't say word more
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14

"our friend" he ssid. is as,nx -
be mad enough to walk into he'll
even, when he finds out what he
thinks has happened"
1t wasn't any OF Jimmy's LOTT"
Sanford Quest shook his head.
French" he said, keep mum, but II
was the elderly family retainer, Mac
dougal. ] felt restless about him.
He has lost the girl--he was married
to heI, by the bye-and the Jewels.
No fear Of his slipping away. / shall
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14
sn.aka WITH Authority.

The advice of ex-President Taft Is
the more to be respected and followed
because it is from a man who has
occupied the highest place in the gift
Of the nation, and speaks with au-
thority of the problems which now
confront US. And he holds up the
true lesson of patriotism as distin-
guished from the lingo spirit
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14

the perfect automaton. His eyes, in
stead of being fixed at the back of his
masters chair, were simply riveted
upon the stones. A queer little feeling
of uneasiness disturbed Ella for the
moment 1t passed, however, as in
glancing away her attention was once
more attracted by the sparkle of the
jewels upon her bosom.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14
Eor p.onl. Hard Of 1earIna.

The inventors have long promised
a device which will do for the ears
what speetacles do for the eyes. But
they are SO slow in perfecting their
device that instruction in lip reading
is now recommended as the shortest
way to surmount the handicap Of duh
hearing A league has been Organized
in New York to promote lip reading
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14

and then Rugged the astonished young
fellow with naive unreserve.
"oh, Jack!" she cried, I'm so glad
to see you again!" and hugging him
again, backed OF to get another look.
Then, as she gazed upon Jim, standing
there grinning with delighted embar-
rassment, the mistake dawned upon
her. She gave gasp and buried her
face in her hands.
oh" she exclaimed, 'T thought you
were my cousin, Jack. that I'd tele-
graphed to meet me. I'm, I'm 900
OH" and the damsei hurried away In
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14
country Reali, 10 Blame,

II former Senator Root were secre-
tary Of state right now uneasiness
would disappear Immediately. But
then, when the country permits the
democratic party. though minority,
to get control Of the government, it
really deserves to have a government
os deserving Democrats.-Brookly
Standard Union.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14
CHAPTER II.

Il am to take it. / believe" Lord
Ashleigh began after dinner that eve.
ming, that you have finally decided.
Ella, to embrace our friend Delarey 8
suggestion and to leave US Saturda, %
IF you please" Ella murmu-ed.
with glowing eyes.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14


have him here at the time / told
you"
You've way of your own of doing
these things, Mr. Quest" the inspec
tor admitted grudgingly.
MOSTLY lucky" Quest replied. "Take
a cigar. and so long, inspector. They
want me to talk to Chicago on an.
other little piece of business" =.
II was a few minutes before mid.
night when Quest parted the curtains
of a room on the ground floor of his
house in Georgia square and looked
out into the snow-white street. Then
he turned around and addressed the
figure lying as though asleep upon the
sofa by the fire.
"Lenora," he said. 81 am going out.
Stay here. If you please. until re-
turn"
He left the room For few mo-
ments there was a profound silence.
Then white face was pressed against
the window. There was a crash of
glass. A man covered with snow
sprang into the apartment He moved
swiftly to the sofa, and something
black and ugly swayed In his hand.
so you've deceived me, have yon?"
he painted. Handed over the Jewels,
chucked me, and given me the double
crossi Anything TO say?"
Macdougal leaned forward. his
white face distorted with passion The
life-preserver bent and quivered be.
hind him. cut the air with a swish
and crashed full upon the head.
The man staggered back The
weapon fell from his fingers. For a
moment he was paralyzed There was
no blood upon his hand, no cry
silence inhuman, unnaturall He
looked again. Then the lights flashed
out all around him. There were two
detectives in the doorway. their re-
volvers covering him-Sanford Quest,
with Lenora in the background In
the sudden illumination MacdougaIs
horror turned almost to hysterical
rage. He had vested his fury upon
dummy
Take him, men," Quest ordered.
Hands up. Macdougal. Your numbers
up"
The handouts were upon him be-
fore he could move.
What about the young woman ?"
the inspector asked.
Lenora stood in an attitude of de-
spair. her head downcast She had
turned little away from MacGbugal.
Her hands were outstretched. 1t was
as though she were expecting the
handouts.
"You can let her alone" Sanford
Quest said quietly. "A wife cannot
give evidence against her husband,
and besides. need her. She is going
to work for me-"
Macdougal was already at the door,
between the two detectives. He swung
around. His voice was calm, almost
clear-calm with concentration of
hatred.
You are a wonderful man, Mr..
Sanford Quest" he said Make the
most Of your triumph. Your time is
nearly up. there is one coming whose
wit and cunning, science and skill are
all-conquering. He win brush you
away, Sanford Quest, like a fly Wait
few weeks
you interest me-" Quest muir.
INJURED Tell me some more about
thia great master?"
Il shall tell you nothing Macdoug-
al replied you viii hear nothing,
you viii tnow nothing. Suddenly you
will find yourself opposed You win
struggle-and then the end It is GER
tain"
They led him away Only Lenora
remained, sobbing. Quest went up
to her.
You've had a rough time, Lenora,"
he said. with strange gentleness.
Perhaps the brighter days are com.
ing"
(TO BE CONTIEUED)
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14

through the formation Of silent voice
clubs. People who are afflicted with
only moderate deafness are said to
find lip reading comparatively sim
pie method of helping them in over
coming their affection. There are
said to be more than 100000 of them
In New York alone.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14
JOKE VERY MUCH ON Jim
As It Turned Out. Little Country Girl
Was Not So ArtIess as
She Seemed.

II was gay party of FOSTERING
blades that went to the station the
other afternoon to meet an incoming
friend. They lined up outside the
gates. scanning every face as the pas
sengers from the justarrived train
came trooping through.
Among them came a brighteyed
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14

The Democrats were going to reduce
tho Offices in their platform. Up to
date they have added nearly 1000. It's
the same old party.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-14
One Point of Anreement.

Republicans looking forward to 1916
will readily agree with Mr.. Wilson
that it was great congress"