Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1915-03-19
SECOND lNSTALLMENT.
"THE HIDDEN HANDS,"
CHAPTER VI.

Sanford Quest and Lenora stood
side by side upon the steps OF the
ourthouse, waiting for the automobile.
which had become momentarily entan-
gled In a string of vehicles. A little
crowd OF people we're elbowing their
way out on to the sidewalk. The faces
OF most Of them we're still shadowed
by the three hours of tense drama
from which they had Just emerged.
Quest, who had lit cigar. watched
them curiously.
mo need to go into court" he re-
marked. Il could have told you, from
the look Of these people. that Mac
dougal had escaped the death sentence.
They have paid their money-Or rather
their time. and they have been cheated
OF the one supreme thrill"
Imprisonment for life seems terri
BILE enough" Lenora whispered. shud-
dering.
Cant see the sense Of keeping such
a man alive myself" Quest declared.
with purposeful brutality. 1T was a
cruel murder. fiendishly committed"
They were on the point Of crossing
the pavement toward the automobile
when Quest felt a touch upon his shoul-
der He turned and found Lord Ash
leigh standing by his side. Quest
glanced towards Lenora.
run and get In the car" he whis-
pered. Il will be there in a moment"
Il would not have stopped you Just
now. Mr.. Quest" said Lord Ashleigh.
"but my brother is very anxious to re-
new his acquaintance with you. think
you met years ago"
Sanford Quest held out his hand to
the man who had been standing a lit
tie in the background. Lord Ashleigh
turned towards him.
This Is Mr.. Quest, Edgar. You may
remember my brother-Professor Ash
leigh--as a man OF science. Quest? He
has Just returned from South Ameri-
ca"
The two shook hands, curiously d.
verse in type. in expression. in all the
appurtenances of manhood.
Il am very proud to make your ac-
quaintance again. professor" Quest
said Glad to know, too. that you
hadn't forgotten me-"
MY dear sir" the professor de-
clared. as he released the others hand
with seeming reluctance, Il have
thought about you many times. Your
doings have always been OF interest
TO me-"
Il am sorry" Quest remarked, that
our first meeting here should be un.
der such distressing circumstances"
The professor nodded gravely.
IF you1l excuse me, professor" said
Quest, Il think ! must be getting along.
We shall meet again, ! trust"
"one moment" the professor begged,
eagerly. "Tel, me. Mr.. Quest-I want
your honest opinion. What do you
-thipk of No ---S"
"Of your what?" Quest inquired
obviously.
"of my anthropoid ape which have
Just sent to the museum. You know
my claim? But perhaps you would pre-
fer to postpone your final decision un-
I'll after you have examined the skele-
ton itself"
a light broke in upon the criminol-
ogist.
"Of course!" he exclaimed. For
the moment. professor. couldn't fol-
low you. You are talking about the
skeleton Of the ape which you brought
home from South America. and which
you have presented to the museum
here?"
Naturally" the professor assented,
with mild surprise. ITO what else? l
am stating my case, Mr.. Quest. in the
North American Review next month;
! may tell you. however, as a fellow
scientis., the great and absolute
truth. My claim is incontestible. My
skeleton will prove to the world. with
out a doubt, the absolute truth OF OAR
wins great theory"
THAT so?"
"You must go and see It," the pro-
fessor insisted. you shall be permit
ted a special examination"
Very kind OF you." Quest muir
INJURED.
I'VE shall meet again soon. hope"
the professor concluded cordially.
"Good-morning. Mr.. Quest!"
The two men shook hands and Quest
took his seat by Lenora's side in the
automobile. The professor rejoined
his brother.
They entered the taxicab and were
driven almost in silence to the profes-
sor's home-a large. rambling old
house. situated in somewhaeextensiye
but ill-kept grounds on the outskirts OF
New York The Englishman glanced