Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-05-05
FOURTH INSTALLMENT
AN OLD eRUDeE.
CHAPTER X.


after-breakfast cigar with a relish
somewhat affected by the measure of
his perplexities. Early though it was,
Lenora was already in her place, bend
ing over her desk, and Laura, who had
just arrived. was busy divesting her
self of her coat and hat Quest watched
the latter impatiently.
"Well?" he asked
Laura came forward. Strengthening
her hair with her hands
mo CO." she answered 81 spent the
evening in the club and talked with
two men who knew Craig. but
couldn't get on to anything. From all
/ could hear of the man, respectable
ity is his middle name"
That's the professors own idea"
Quest remarked grimly.
Were fairly up against it, boss"
Laura sighed. THE best thing we
can do is to get on to another job.
The Rheinholdt woman has got her
jewels back, or will have at noon to-
day. l bet she won't worry about the
thief. Then the professors moldy old
skeleton was returned to him, even If
1t was burned up afterwards. should
take on something fresh"
Cant be DONE" Quest replied short
ly. Look here. girls, your average
intellects are often apt to hit upon
the truth, when man who sees too
far ahead goes wrong. Rule Craig
out. Any other possible person occur
to you? Speak out, Lenora You've
something on your mind, l can see"
I'm afraid you'll laugh at me-" she
began tentatively.
Wont hurt you If l do" Quest re-
piled
Il can't help thinking of Macdou-
GAL" Lenora continued falteringly. "He
has never been recaptured. | don't
know whether he's dead or alive. He
had perfect passion for jewels. If
he is alive, he would be desperate and
would attempt anything"
Quest smoked in silence for a mo-
ment.
Il guess the return of the jewels
squelched the Macdougal theory" he
remarked. He wouldn't be likely to
part VITA the stuff when he'd once got
his hands on it. However. | always
meant, when we had a moments spare
time. to look into that fellows where
abcxts. Well take it on straight
away. Gait do any harm"
'T know the section boss on the
railway at the spot where he disap-
peared," Laura announced.
Then just take the train down to
Mnuntways-that's the nearest snot--
and get busy with him." Quest direct
ed. TRY and persuade him to loan
us the gangs handcar to go down the
line. Lenora and l will come on in
the automobile"
Take you longer" Lenora re-
marked as she moved off to put on
her jacket. "The cars do 1t in a
quarter of an hour"
Cant help that" Quest replied.
'Mrs. Reinholdt's coming here to iden-
tify her jewels at twelve o'clock, and
can't run any risk of there being no
train back. You'd better be making
good with the section boss. Take
plenty of bills with you"
Sure! That's easy enough" Laura
promised him. I'll be waiting for
you"
She hurried off and Quest COM
menced his own preparations. From
his safe he took one of the small
black Jumps of explosive to which he
had once before owed his life, and fit
ted 1t carefully in a small case with
coil of wire and an electric lighter.
He looked at his revolver and re-
charged it. Finally he rang the bell
for his confidential valet.
ROSS" he asked, F'who else is there
here today besides you?"
mo one today, sir"
'Just as well, perhaps" Quest OBJ
served Listen, Ross, am going out
now for an hour or two, but | shall be
back at midday. Remember that. Mrs.
Rheinholdt and Inspector French are
to be here at twelve o'clock. If by
any chance should be few minutes
late, ask them to wait. And, Ross,
a young woman from the Salvation