Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-03-16
NINTH lNSTAllMENT
LOST In LONDON.
CHAPTER Xxx.

quest, notWltnSLanolng the unusual
nature of his surroundings. slept that
night as only a tired and healthy mar
can. He was awakened the next morn
ing by the quiet movements Of a man.
servant who had brought back his
clothes carefully brushed and pressed.
breakfast is served at nine O'Clock,
sir. 1t is now half-past eight"
I'll be right there"
The man withdrew and Quest made
a brisk toilet. The nameless fears OF
the previous night had altogether dis.
appeared. At the last moment he
stretched out his hand TO take a hand
kerchief from his satchel. A sudden
exclamation broke from his lips. He
stood for a moment as though turned
to stone. Before him, on the top OF
the little pile Of white cambria. was
a small black box. With a movement
Of the fingers which was almost me-
chanical. he removed the lid and drew
out the customary little scrap of pa
per. He smoothed it out before him
on the dressing case and read the mes
sage:
You will fail here as you have
failed before. Better go back. There
is more danger for you in this country
than you dream Of"
His teeth came fiercely together and
his hands were clenched. His thoughts
had gone like a fash to Lenora. Was
1t possible that harm was intended for
her? He put the idea away from him
almost as soon as conceived. The
thing was uninaginable. Craig was
here. must be here. in the close vi.
cinttv Of the house.
The atmosphere OF the pleasant
breakfast room TO which in due course
he descended. was cheerful enough.
Lady Ashleigh had already taken her
place at the head Of the table.
She touched an electric bell under
her foot and a moment or two later
the butler appeared.
Go up and see how long your mas
ter will be-" Lady Ashleigh directed,
VERY good. your ladyship.'
The man was backing through the
doorway in his usual digniied amer
when he was suddenly pushed on Il
side. The valet who had waited upon
Quest, ard who was Lord Ashleigh's
own servant. rushed into the room.
He almost shouted to Lady Ashleigh:
Your iadyship-the master, Some
thing has happened He won't move.
lIe-he-'
They al trcopcd ont Of the room
and up the stairs. the professor lead
ing the way They pushed open the
door Of Lord Ashleigh's bedchamber.
In the far orne OF the large room
was the four-poster, and underneath
the clothes a silent figure. The pro-
fessor turned down the sheets. Then
he held out his hand. His face, too,
was bianChed.
Julia, don't come" he begged.
81 must know" she almost shrieked.
I must know"
george is dead" the professor said
slowly.
There was a moments awful silence,
broken by a piercing scream from Lady
Aghleigh. She sank down upon the
sofa. and the professor leaned over
her. Quest turned to the little group
Of frightened servants who were gath.
cred round the doorway.
Telephone for a DOCTOR he or
dered: "also to the local police sta
ton.
"He. too. approached the bed and
~reverently lifted the covering. Lord
Ashleigh was lying there, his body a
little doubled up. his arms wide out
stretched. On his throat were two
black marks.
They had led Lady Ashleigh from
the room. The professor and Quest
stood face to face. The formers ex-
preston, however, had lost all his
amiable serenity. His face was white
and pincbed.
Quest. Quest" he almost sobbed.
my brother!-George. whom l loved
like nobody else on earth. Is he real
ly dead?"
absolutely"
The professor gripped the oak pillar
Of the bedstead. He seemed on the
point Of collapse.
1.-THE mark Of tie Hands is upon
his throat" Quest pointed out.
1.-THE Hands. Oh. my Cod" the
professor groaned.