The Washington times., 1915-03-15
The BLACK BOX
BY E. PHILLIPS oPPENHEIM.
Continued from Yesterday
CHAPTER Nv.

4" HERE seemed to be nothing at
all original In the methods pur-
L sued by the great criminologist
when confronted with the tab
feau of death and robbery His re-
marks to the inspector were few and
perfunctory. He asked only a few Ian
guild questions OF Macdougal and Le-
nora, who were summoned to his
presence.
"You had left the hotel. / under
stand, at the time when the crime oc-
curred?" he asked the former.
Macdougal, grave and respectful,
made his answers with difficulty His
voice was choked with emotion.
IT brought my mistress home from
the opera, sir. rode on the box with
Mrs. Delarey's chauffeur. After 7 had
seen her safely in the hotel | went up
to my room for two minutes and left
the hotel by the back entrance"
Anyone see your
"The doorkeeper. sir. and l passed
page upon the stairs
Wasn't II rather late for you to go
outT'
~My DAYS are a little dull here, sir
Macdougal replied, "and my attend
ance Is not required early In the morn
ing. I have made some friends In the
city, and l usually go out to res
taurant and have some supper
"ouite natural" Mr.. Quest agreed.
"That will do. thanks"
Macdousal turned toward the door.
Lenora was about to follow. but Quest
signed to her to remain.
IT should like to have a little con-
versation with you about your mis-
tress." he said to her pleasantly. "lf
YOU don't mind. I will ask you to ac-
company me in my car. j VIII send
the man back with you
For a moment the girl stood quito
still. Her face was already ghastly
pale. Her eyes alone seemed to indi-
cate some fresh fear.
IT will go to my rooms and put on my
hat" she said.
Quest pointed through the half-opcn
door.
THAT will be your hat and coat upon
the bed there. won't it?' he remarked.
II am sorry to hurry you of. but !
have another appointment. You Will
send, Of course. for the young lady's
friends" he added, turning to Nv.
Marsham, land cable her people
.'There is nothing more you can do
Mr.. Quest?'' the hotel manager added,
a little querulously. This affair must
be cleared up for the credit OF my
hotel
Quest shrugged his shoulders lie
glanced through the open door 10 "here
Ienora was arranging her coat win
trembling fingers.
There will be little difficulty ABOUT
that" he said calmly IF you are quite
ready, Miss Lenora. Is that your
name?'
"Ienora Is my name, sir the girl re-
piled.
They descended in the lift tosether
and Quest handed the girl into MS car
They drove quickly through the silent
streets. The snow has ceased TO 1aii
and the stars were shining brightiy.
I,enora shivered as she leaned back In
her corner.
You are cold, 1 am afraid" Quest
remarked Never mind. there will be a
good fire In my study. l shall only
keep you for a few moments. dare
not be away for long just now, as l
have :. very important case on
There Is nothing more that | can
tell you," Lenora ventured. a little fear
fully. Cant you ask ME what you
want to, now. as We go along?"
I'VE have already arrived Quest
told her. DO you mind following me?
She crossed the pavement and passed
through the front door which quest
was holding open for her. They stepped
Into the little lift. and moment or
two later Lenora was Installed In an
easy chair in Quests sitting room. in
front ,os roaring fire.
Lean back and make yourself COM
Portable" Quest invited. as he took a
chair opposite to her. Il must just look
through these papers
The girl did as she was told. She
opened her coat. The room was de-
uRhtfully warm, almost overheated. A
sense Of rest crept over her. For the
first moment since the awful shock. her
nerves seemed quieter. Gradually she
began to feel almost as though she
were passing into sleep. She started up.
but sank back again almost immedi-
ately. She was conscious that Quest had
laid down the letters which he had been
pretending to read. His eyes were f1xed
upon her There was queer new look
in them, a strange new feeling creeping
through her veins. Was she going to
sleep?
Quests voice broke an unnatural ST.
lence.
You are anxious to telephone some
one" he said. You looked at both OF
the booths as we came through the
hotel. Then you remembered. l think
that he would not be there yet. Tele.
y phone now. The telephone is at your
right hand You know the number
She obeyed almost at once She took
the receiver from the instrument by hel
side:
You wIl 0 ask kf" 6Grk o%est c''y Continued
whether he is, all right whether the
Jewels are safe.