The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-06-12


this ia the end A person In extremis has privt
leges. VIII you allow me t6 write Just matter,
Of twenty lines At your desk!"
Silently Quest assented The professor seated
himself in the swing chair drew q sheet Of paper.
towards him. dipped the pen in the ink and began
to write Then he turned round and reached To-,
his small black bag which lay upon the tataa.s
Quest caught him by tho wrist
What do want out Of that, professor he ~
quired
Merely my own pen and ink" the professor e1. :
postulated III there IL anything detest in the
world. 1t Is violet ink. And your pen. too. 10
execrable. As these are to bc the last words !,
shall leave to . sorrowing world. should Ike !.
to write them in my own fashion. Open the ba0'
for yourself. II you will. You can pass mo the .
things out"
Quest opened the bag, took out . pen and
small glass bottle Of ink He handed them to tho ;.
professor. who started once more to write. Quest .
watched him for a moment and then turned away
to French. The professor looked over his shoulder
and suddenly barred his wrist Lenora seized her
employer by tho arm.
Look" she cried. what is he going to dor :.
Quest swung round. but he was too late. The
professor had dug the pen into his arm. He sat ;
in his chair and laughed they all hurried to. .
wards him. Then suddenly he sprang to his feet.
Again the change came into his face which they
had seen in the mirror. French dashed forward ,
towards him. The professor 'narled seemed about
to spring. then suddenly once more stretched out
his hands to show that he was helpless and handed
to Quest the paper upon which had been writing.
You have nothing to fear from me-" he ex.
claimed. Here is my last message to you. San
ford Quest. Read tread It aloud. Always 10
member that this was not your triumph but mine ;
Quest held up the paper. They all read. The
professors letters were carefully formed his hand
writing perfectly legible:
You have been a clever opponent, Sanford Quest.
but even you are to DO cheated. Tho vie.
dom Of the ages outreaehss yours. eutreaehes it
and triumphs.
Quest looked up quickly
what the devil does he mean" he muttered.
The professors arms shot suddenly above his
head. Again that strange. animal look convulsed
his features He burst into q loud. unnatural
laugh.
Mean you fooi.' he cried. holding out bis wrist,
which slowly turning black. "Poiscz-a! That
is what it means!'
They all stared at him. Quest seized the Ink
bottle, revealed the false top and laid it down
again with q little exclamation. Then before they
could realize it the end came. The professor lay,
crumpedup heap. upon the floor
Quest swung round in his chair as French en-.
tered the room and held out his left hand
Glad to see you, French. Help yourself to .
cigar"
Il don't know as want to smoke this morning
Just at present. thank you" French replied.
Quest laid down his pen and looked up. French
was fdgeting about with his hat in his hand. He
dressed more carefully than usual but he
was obviously Ill at ease.
Nothing wrong. eh?'
NO there's nothing wrong" French admitted.
II just looked in"
Quest waited for a moment. Then he crossed
his legs and assumed a patient attitude.
What the dickens did you look in fcr?" he
asked. 49,.
THE fact Of it is." French explained Il should
like few words with Miss Laura $780,
Quest laughed shortly. '----' - :,
why earth couldn't You say so?" he OBJ
served. Never knew you hashf0l before. tnspec.
tor. She's up in the laboratory. III ring some.
one to show you the way" $50 1855
Quest touched the bell and his new secretary
entered almost at once. - ---'----'
Take Inspector French up into the laboratory"
Quest directed "see you laterNFfench"
"Yes-perhaps-I hope So" the inspector replied
nervously. .z'z=
Quest watched him disappear with puzzled
smile Then he sat down at his desk drew a sheet
of paper towards him and began to write:
My Dear Inspector:
am taking this opportunity Of letting. you know
that out Of Difference to the wishes Of the woman
! hope marry, I am abandoning the hax-
ardous and nerve-rackins profession Of erminoosy
for safer and happier career. You will have,
therefore, to find help elsewhere In the future.
~ SANFORD QUEST.
He left the sheet Of paper upon the desk and.
ringing the bell sent for Lenora. She appeared In
few moments and came over to his SIDE
What is 1t. Mr. Quest?" she asked.
He gave her the letter without remark She
read it through and turning slowly around. looked
at him expectantly.
"How's that seem to you?" he asked. reaching
out his hand for cigar.
Very sensible indeed" she replied.
Its no sort of life, this, for a married man."
Quest declared You agree with me there don't
you Lenora?"
"Yes!" she admitted little family.
The secretary entered the ROOM helped Quest
on with his coat and handed him his hat
IfNyNYy tie AoAH