The Washington times., 1915-03-18
The BLACK BOX
By f. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM.
Continued from Yesterday
CHAPTER V.-(Continued.)

Prepare a bedroom upstairs he
ordered. Ask Miss Roche to como
here. Laura" he added, as
his secretary entered, will you look
after this young lady? She Is in
state OF nervous exhaustion"
The girl nodded. She understood.
She led I.cnora from the room. Quest
resumed mis- breakfast. A few min
utes later Inspector French was an
nounced. Quest nodded in friendly
manner.
"Some coffee, Inspector"
I'D rather have those diamonds!"
the inspector replied.
Quest threw them lightly across the
table.
Catch hold then
The inspector whistled.
Say that's bright. work. he aC-
knowledged. y believe I could have
laid my hands on the man. but it was
the jewels that I was afraid of losing"
Just So, Quest remarked. And now,
French. will you lie here, please. at
midnight with three men. armed"
Here" the Inspector repeated.
Quest nodded.
our friend" he said. lis going to be
mad enough to walk into hell. even.
| whom he finds out what he thinks has
happened"
1T wasi't any of Jimmy's lot?" the
inspector asked?
Sanford Quest shook his head.
, 'ITrench." he said. keep mum. but it
| was the elderly family retainer. Mac
dougal. | feel restless about him. He
| has lost the Eirl-hc was married to
her. by the by-and the j"w"ls. No
fear OF his slipping away. | shall have
! him hero at the time | told YOU"
| "You've way of your own of doing
these things. Mr.. Quest" the inspector
| admitted Grudgingly.
Mostly lucky" Quest replied. Take
cigar, and so long. inspector. They
| want me to talk to Chicago on another
| little piece Of business"
| II was at few minutes before mid
! night when Quest parted the curtains
| of 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. Il am going out.
Stay here. If you please. until l re-
| turn
lie left the room. For a few moments
| there Was profound silence. Then a
| window. There was a crash of glass.
| A man. covered with snow, sprang into
! the apartment lie moved swiftly to
the sofa, and something black and
ugly swayed in his hand.
| so you've deceived me, have you"'
he painted. Handed over the jewels
| chucked me, and given me the double
| cross! ANYTHING to sav?'
A piece of coal fell on to the crate
| Not sound came from the sofa. Mac
| dougal leaned forward. his white face
distorted with passion. The life
| preserver bent and quivered behind 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
unnatural! He looked again. Then the
| lights flashed out all around him
Where were two detectives in the door.
way. their revolvers covering him
Sanford Quest. with Lenora in the
! Macdouga's horror turned almost tc
hysterical rage. He had wasted h.
not blood which Uttered the couch!
Take him. men," Quest ordered
Hands up. Macdougal Your NUM-
bcrs up. Better take it quietly"
| The handouts were upon him before
he could move. ITe was trying to spcal
but the words somehow choked in his
mouth.
i You can send wireless to Lord Ash
leigh" Quest continued, turning t'
French. Tell him that the diamonds
have been recovered and that his daugh
ter's murderer is arrested"
What about the young woman: th'
Inspector asked.
LenOra stood in an attitude of despair
her head downCast. She had turned
little away from MacdouSal. Her hand
, were outstretched. 1t was as though
she were expecting the handouts.
You can let her alone SanforC
Quest said Quietly. "A wife canno
give evidence against her husband, ant
, besides, l need her. She is going t
work for me-"
, Macdougal was already at the door
between the two detectives. lie swunl
around. His voice was calm, almos