The Washington times., 1915-04-12
The BLACK BOX
BY E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM.

He darted into his room and reappear-
ed again almost Immediately. The pro-
his altered appearance. His tweed suit
seemed to have been turned inside out.
There were no .lapels now, and it was
buttoned up to his neck. He wore a
chinpiece of astonishing naturalness
had transformed him into the sem
blance of Dutch grocers boy.
I'm off; professor, Quest whispered.
You shall hear from me soon. | have
not been here, remember
he ran lightly down the steps and int o
ne kitchen, picked up a basket filed it
haphazard with vegetab bles, and threw
way to the front door, peered out for a
moment. swung through it on to the
step, and. turning round. commenced to
belabor it with his fist: Two plain
street. police automobile drew up
outside the gate. Inspector French, at
tended by policeman, stepped out. The
Well. my boy. what are you doing
here?" he asked.
Il cannot answer yet" Quest replied
In broken English. Ten minutes al
at all the doors.'
French smiled.
You can hop It, Dutchie,' he advised
BY the bye. when was that order for
vegetables giVen?" he added. frowning
for moment
1T is three times a week thes same. ="
guest rxpialned whipping the cloth
sent to alter anything
The inspector pushed him hurriedly in
the direction of the street
fou run along home, he said, ''and
tell your master that he had better leave
cnt."
Quest went off, grumbing. He walked
with the peculiar waddle affected by
rtoin ole
was soon out of sight around the cor
ner of the street. French opened the
door with master key and secured it
carefully, leaving one of his men to
guard i. He searched the rooms on
the ground floor and finally assembled to
Quests study. The professor was still
enjoying his cigar.
Say, where's Quest"' the inspector
Have YOU let him out already?" the
professor replied. IN a tone OF mild sur
prise. II thought he was in the Tombs
The Inspector pressed on without an
sWering. Every room in the house was
ransackcd. Presently he came back to
the room where the professor was still
sitting. His usually good-humored face
was a little clOuded.
Professor" he began Whats the
matter, Miller?"
plain-Clothes man from the street
mad come hurrYing into the room.
say. MIR. French" he reported our
1eioWS nave got mold or newsie down
In the street, who was coming along
way round the back and saw two men
enter this house by the side entrance
nanlf, an hour ago. One he described
| exactly AS the professor here. The
other, without a doubt, was Quest.
French turned swiftly toward the pro,
fessor.
You hear what this man says?" he
exclaimed. 'Mr Ashleigh. you're fool
ing me! You entered this house with
Sanford Quest. You will have to tel
us where he is hiding"
The professor knocked the ash from
his cigar and replaced K in his mouth
His Clasped hands rested in front ol
him. There was a twinkle Of some,
thing like mirth in his eyes as he
glanced up at the inspector.
'Mr. trench,' he said, Mr. Sanford
Quest is my friend. | am here In
charge of his house. Believing as J dc
that his arrest was an eGregious blum.
der. ! shall say or do nothing likely
To afford YOU any information.
French turned impaticntly away. Sud
denly a light broke in upon him; he
rushed toward tn" door.
- hat ID DutChie,' he exclaimed.
The professor smiled bcnignlN.
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