Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-02-10
FOURTH I%NSTALLMENT
AN OLD e.
p K.

Sanford Quest was smoking his
afte~r-break:ast cigar with a relish
somewhat affected by the measure of
his perrleyities. Early though it a
Lenora was already in her place, bend
ing ove- her desk, and Laura, who had
Just arrived. vas busy divesting her
self Of her coat and hat. Quest watched
the latter iIpatieatly.
Well" he asked.
Laura care forward. STRENGTHENING
her hair with her hands.
NO go" she answered. Il spent the
evening in the club and I talked with
two men who knew Craig. but
couldn't get en- to anything. From all
I could hear of the man. respectable.
fly is his middle name"
That's the professors own idea"
Quest remarked griInly.
Were fairly up against it, boss"
Laura sighed. The best thing we
can 90 is TO set on to another job.
The Rheinholdt has got her
Jewels back, or will have at loon to-
day. ! bet she won't worry about the
thief. Then the professors moldy cid
skeleton was returned to him, even If
1t was burned up afterwards. should
take or something fresh"
Cant be done" Quest replied short
~. Look here, girls, your average
intellects are often apt to hit upon
the truth. when a 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 az me-" she
began tentatively.
Wont hurt you If I de-" Quest re-
piled.
Il can't help thinking of Macdou-
gal" Lenora continued falteringiy. He
has never been recap,ured. l don't
know whether hes dead or alive. He
had a perfect passion for jewels. II
he is alive, he would be desperate and
would attempt anything"
: Quest smoked in silence for a mo-
mert.
Il guess the return of the jewels
squelched the Macdougal theory" he
remarked. He wouldn't be likely TO
part with the stuff when he'd once got
his hands on it. However, l always
meant. when We had a moments spare
time. TO look into that fellows where
abouts. Well take il on straight
away. Can't do any harm
II know the section boss on the
railway st the spot where he disap-
peared." Laura announced.
Then just take the train down to
Mountways-that's the nearest spot
and get busy with him" Quest direct.
ed. Try and persuade him to lean
us the gangs handcar to 20 down the
line. Lerora and | will cone on In
the automcti!e,"
Take you longer" Lenora re-
marked as she EoTcd of to put on
her jacket. The cars do 1t in a
quarter Of an hour"
Cant help that" Quest replied.
Mrs. R~c!nho!dt's coming here to iden-
tify her jewels at twelve O'Clock, and l
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. III be waiting for
you"
She hurried of and Quest com
menced his own preparations. From
his safe he took one Of the small
black Jumps CT explosive to which he
had once before owed his life, and lit
ted 1t carefully In a small case with
a 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, who else is there
here today besides you?"
mo Il 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 a few minutes
late, ask them TO wait. And, Ross,
4 young woman from the Salvation