J lllll'lWUI I IHIU' Ilk'iniMiiilVT OKKflON (MTV KNTKIMMUHK. FKIII.W. AIM. 11, 0. 1!H.V BLACK. fc.Fn ids UDDcnnc JL JS ftovalisad (rum the Pbolo nr of lh Bam Nam. I'rolur4 Him Manufacturing I'umpany bit brought to mi 111 l'nlrvJ SYNOPHi. anfftrd Qut. mailer rrtmliolUl f th rrM. find that In binning lu Ju. i. l-ilousal. lit muMnrr t( lr4 Aehllh daushtar he haa bill Juat en tered a Iir-nj-i1in rulilral Hh m trtou piutrr criminal. hiitt"l bt r- trim Aelilelah, lxrj AaMrllti brother, to rwmer ll slnlen saltun of an an thropoid cp. hurried lo Mr. KheinhuMI a rwcepiiffn, her bar dlamoMs haa hern' Imn (rum bar thru.! br rlr of hand without arm er body. tl,k b. Uur appear from nowher In hia room and but contained In It. alnm! tr tha arm m hand, aarraatkally susg-rats that th hhalnhol.lt diamond and tha skaletue mar M blddn loirir. nil l-aui. UiihI'i .Tilrr. ahadowa Oral, th pro frar'a let, gimt an4 Lnor, hi Blatant, find th ekaletoa la a hut In th trufaor'a ardR. and dtfe'e.vvr then Inhuman rn-atur, half axwkar and half ana a. A th erurowor eipialna. th nui la at aflr and lb moc.kar man and akaWtna ar daalrnyrd in th flamr. In Queat' rooma th Hrialnhol.lt diamonds auddanl rrter, nclad la cund black boa with a aula siped by U taraataalnf handa. fourth Installment AN OLD CRUOQC CHAPTtR X. Banford Queat u amoklng bit after-breakfast clear with a relish somewhat a IT acted by tba measure of kit prplexltle. Early though It was. Lenor waa already la ber place, bend In over bar dealt, and Laura, bo bad Just arrived, was busy divesting her- elf of ber coat and bat Quest watched the latter Impatiently. "Welir ha asked. Laura cam forward, straightening her hair with her hand. "No go." ihe aniwered. "I spent the venlng fn the club, and I talked with two men who knew Crate, hut 'I couldn't get on to anything. From all I coald hear of the man, respectabil ity la his middle name." That's the professor' own Idea," Quest remarked grimly. "We're fairly op against It, boss." Laura sighed. "The test thing we can do la to get on to another Job. The Rbelnboldt woman has got her jewels back, or will hare at noon to day. I bet she won't worry about the thief. Then the professor's moldy old skeleton was returned to him, eren If It was burned up afterwards. I should take on something fresh." "Can't be done," Quest replied short ly. "Look here, girls, your average Intellects are often apt to hit upon the truth, when a man who sees too tar ahead goes wrong. Rule Craig out Any other possible person occur to you? Speak out, Lenora. Tou're . something on your mind, I can see." 'Tm afraid you'll laugh at me," she began tentatively. "Won't hurt you If I do," Quest re plied. "I can't help thinking of Macdou gal," Lenora continued falterlngly. "He has never been recaptured. I don't know whether he's dead or alive. He had a perfect passion (or Jewels. If be Is alive, he would be desperate and would attempt anything." Quest smoked In silence for a mo ment "I 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 bands on It However, I always meant, when we bad a moment's spare time, to look Into that fellow's where abouts. We'll take It on straight away. Can't do any harm." "I know the section boss on the railway at 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 loan us the gang's handcar to go down the line. Lenora and I will come on In the automobile." "Take you longer," Lenora re marked as she moved off to put on her Jacket. "The cars do It In a quarter of an hour." "Can't help that," Quest replied. "Mrs. Relnholdt's coming here to Iden tify her Jewels at twelve o'clock, and I can't run any risk of there being r.o train back. Tou'd better be making good with the section dobs. Take plenty of bills with you." "Sure! That's easy enough," Laura promised blm. "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 lumps of explosive to which he i had once before owed his life, and lit- I atamlilill at point hrr It skirted tha null rail ay Una, and close to tba section house w huh be bad appointed for his rendmous with I aura. Hh had apparently awn their approach, anI aba raws out lo meet them at once, ac companied by a abort, thick art lun bom aha Introduced as Mr. lloran. 'This Is Mr. Koran, th action boea," h explained Mr. lloran shook handa. "Bay. I'v heard of yon, Mr. Quett." be announced. "Th young lady tells ma you ar eom Interested In that prisoner they lost off th cars sear bar." "That's so," Quat admitted. "V'd Ilk to go to th spot If w could." "That's dead eaay," th boa re plied. "I'll tak you along on th handcar." Th section boas turned round and whistled. From a Uttl aid track two men Jumped on to a handcar, and brought It around to wher they wr standing. A few yards away th man who waa propelling It a great, red headed Irishman suddenly ceased his Sorts. Leaning over his pole, h gated at Quest A sudden ferocity darkened his coarse fac. He gripped his mat by tb arm. "S that blok therr ha aaked. pointing at Quest "Th guy with th linen collarr th other answered. "I see him." "That's Quest the. detective," th Irishman went on hoarsely. "That's th man who got me flr years in th pen, the beast I That's th man I'v been looking far. Tonr my mate. Jim. ehr "I gues so." th other grunted. 'Ar you going to try and do him In?" "Now thea. you fellows," Horan shouted. "What ar you hanging about there for. Bed Gallagher? Bring th carriage np. Ton fellows can bar a smoke for an hour. I'm going to tak her down the tin for a bit" Th two men obeyed and disap peared In the direction qf the section house. Quest looked after them curi ously. "That's a big fellow," ha remarked. What did you call him? Red Galla gher? I seem to hare seen him before "He was the most troublesome fel low on the line once, although be was the biggest worker," the boss replied. "He got five years in the penitentiary and that seems to have taken the spirit out of him." "I believe I was In the case," Quest observed carelessly. "That's so! Now then, young la dles." Mr. Horan advised, "hold tight, and here goes!" They ambled down the line for about half a mite. Then Horan brought them to standstill. "This is the spot," be declared. "Now, if you want my Impressions you are welcome to them. All the search has been made on the right-hand side here and In New York. I've had my eye on that bill for a long time. My impression Is that he hid there." "I'll take your advice," Quest de cided. "Well spread out and take a little exercise In hill climbing." "Good luck to you!" the boss ex claimed. They searched carefully and delib erately for more than half an hour. Then Laura suddenly called out. They looked around to And only her bead visible. She scrambled up, muddy and with wet leaves clinging to her skirt. "Say, that guy of a section boss told me to look out for caves. I've been in one, sure enough! Only Just saved myself." They hurried to where Bhe was. Quest peered Into the declivity down which she had slipped. Suddenly he gave vent to a little exclamation. At the same time Laura called out. An Inch or two of tweed was clearly vis ible through the strewn leaves. Quest, flat on his stomach, crawled a little way down, took out his electric torch from his pocket and brushed the stuff away. Then he clambered to his feet. "Our search Is over," he declared gravely, "and your troubles, Lenora. That Is Macdougal's body." Lenora's face sank Into her hands for a moment. Quest stood on one side while Laura passed her arm around the other girl's waUt Quest glanced at his watch. "I'll have to get," he said, "but I'll send someone along. Cheer up, Le nora," he added kindly. "Look after her, Laura." Quest hastened along the road to I in'i land " Ha tm' if town to unfaatea th tra ahlrh fattened tha ir kart. It on nf his rar lapM-a, rcallinl moment tixt la! Almmt In his tar fame Ilia hr cry: "Hand up. suinorl Handa up this second or III bl.iw )utt lo bell!" Qurat f lanced ovrr his shoulder and looked llit-i tha far oT Ited liallasher, raised llitla abo tha ee (if th road. A very uly Itttla rrolr aa pointed directly at Que!' heart "My Bute's ant you rotvrrd on iha other aide of th rad, too. Hands up, both of you, or '!! mak a quirk Jb of It." Quett ahrurs rd his shoulder, threw his rerolter luto Iha road and ote)eJ As ba did to, th other man stol out fmm I'lMiid a buih and sprang for Iha rhauftVur, ho under roier fit tha car atrAIIng ofl. There was a brief struggle, then th dull thud of th rallaay man' rifle rafting on tha rhauffeur'a head. II rolled over and lay In th road. I'lli'h blm off among! th buhea." Red Gallagher ordered. "You dont ant anyone ho come by to sea. Now tend m a band with thla chap. What do yon propoa to do lib me?" Quet asked. You'll know aoon enouih." Red Gal lather anaarred. "A matter of flr minute' talk, to start with. You sea that nand. ar houaa?" "Perfectly wall," Queat aaaented My eyealght I quit normal " "Get ther then. I'm yard behind you and my revolver pointing for tb middle of your back." Quest sprang lightly down from th road, eroaaed th few Intervening yard and stepped Into tb handcar bout. Gallagher and hi mat followed close behind. Queat paused on tb threshold. It's a filthy dirty hols," h re marked, "Cant bar our Itttla chat out herT la It money you sntr , Galtagner glanced around. Then with an ugly push of th shoulder h sent Quest reeling Into tb shed. Ills great form blocked up th doorway. No," h cried fiercely. "It's not money I want this tire. Queat. you brute, you dirty bloodhonnf! You eot m to th pen for flv year you ! ' i,-l ; ; ret. 1 ' I I'l - YJ Oont Vu Dont luapat M f ThlsT I mm track htm full In tha f Notwith standing hi hug ail and strength. Gallagher realed. Th operator who had Juat begun lo rrallM hat was happening flung himself Ndtly agalnat th two thug. A shot from th tan gled mas of struggling limb able- tied paat Quesfa bead a b sprang to th window which overlooked th track. Tb freight bad already almoat passed. Queat cteadled himself for supremo effort crawled out on th lu ll steel bridge and poised himself for a moment. Th last rar waa Juat bo neath. Th gap botaeen It and th prerlou on aa slipping by. II st hit teeth and Jumped on th smooth top. Back behind th tor Red Galla gher and hi mat bent with horrified face over th body of tb signalman. What th ball did you nt to plug him for?" th latter muttered. "H alnt In tb ahow at all. You'r don us. Red. ha cooked!" Red Gallagher staggered to hi feat. Already tb horror of th murderer was In hi fac a h glanced furtive ly around. I never meant to drop blm," h muttered. "I got mad at teeing Quest get off. That man's a devil." What ar w going to do?" th other demanded hoarsely. "There's th auto," Gallagher shout ed. "Com on, old mao! I ran fix th hel. If w'v got to swing for this Job. we'll hav something of our own back first" They crawled to the sld of th road. Gallagher's rough, hairy finger were still trembling, but they knew their Job. In a few minutes tba wheel was fixed. Clumsily but successfully. tbe great Irishman turned th rar around away from the city. "She's a hummer." bo muttered. "I'll make her go when we get the bang of It Sit tight." They drove clumsily off, gathering speed at every yard. IW'hlnd, In the shadow of th tower, the signalman lay dead. Queat bulf way to New York, stretched Hot on his stomach, was struggling for llf with knees and handa and feet "Hand Up, Guvnor!" ted It carefully in a small case with a coll 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?" "No one today, sir." "Just aa well, perhaps," Quest ob served. "Listen, Ross, I am going out now for an hour or two, but I shall be back at midday. Remember that. Mrs. Rhelnboldt and Inspector French are to be here at twelve o'clock. If by any chance I should be a few minutes late, ask them to wait And, Ross, a, young woman from the Salvation Army will call too. You can give her this check." Ross Brown, who was Quest's secretary-valet and general factotum, ac cepted the slip of paper and placed It In an envelope. "There' are .no other Instructions, sir?" he Inquired. "None," Quest replied. "You'll look out for the wireless, and you had bet ter switch the through cable and tel egraph communication joa to head quarters. Come on,( Lenora." They left the house, entered the waiting automobile, and drove rapid ly towards tbe confines of the city. By Quest's directions the automo-. tne spot where he had left the car. The chauffeur, who saw him coming, started up and climbed to his seat Quest took his place. "Drive to the office," he ordered. The man slipped In bis clutch. They were In the act of gilding off when there was a tremendous report. Tbey stopped short The man Jumped down and looked at the back tire. "Blowout," he remarked laconically. Quest frowned. "How long will it take?" "Four minutes," the man replied. "I've got another wheel ready. That's the queerest blowout I ever saw, though." The two men leaned over tbe tire. Suddenly Quest's expression changed. His hand stole Into his hip pocket "Tom," he explained, "that wasn't a blowout at all. Look here!" He pointed to the small lev hole. Almost at once he stood back and the yjear the roar of the freight sunshine flashed upon the revolver clutched In his light band. "That was a bullet," he continued. "Someone flred at that tire. Tom, there's trouble about." The man looked nervously around. "That's a rifle bullet, sure," be mut tered. "Get on the wheel as quick as you can," Quest directed. "Here, 111 give with your cursed prying Into other people's affairs. Don't you remember me, eh? Ited Gallagher?" "Of course I do." Quest replied coolly. "You garfuted and robbed an eld nun and had the spree of your life. The old man happened to be a friend of mine, so I took the troublo to see that you paid for It Well?" "Five years of hell, that's what 1 had," the man continued, his eyes flashing, Ms face twitching with an ger. "Well, you're going to have a little bit more than five years. This shed's been burnt down twice, sparks from rasslng engines. It's going to be burnt down for the third time." "Sounds remarkably unpleasant," Quest admitted. "You'd better hurry or the boss will be back." Gallagher finally slammed the door. Quest heard the heavy footsteps of the two men as tbey turned toward the soctinn bouse. He drew a little case from his pocket He opened what seemed to be a little mahogany box, looked at the ball of black substance Inside, closed It up, placed It against the far wall, un twisted the coll, stood back near the door and then pressed the button. The result was extraordinary. The whole of the far wall was blown out and for some distance In front tbe ground was furrowed up by the explosion. Quest replaced the Instrument In bis pocket, sprang through the opening and ran for the tower bouse. Behind him on Its way to New York he could see a freight train coming along. He could hear, too, Red Gallagher's roar of anger. It was less than fifty yards, yet as soon as he reached the shelter of the tower the thunder of the freight sounded in Quest's ears. He glanced around. Red Gallagher and his mate were racing almost side by side to wards him. He rushed up the narrow stairs Into tbe signal room, tearing open his coat to show his official badge. "Stop the freight," be shouted to the operator. "Quick. I'm Sanford Quest, detective special -powers from the chief commissioner." The man moved to tbe signal. An other voice thundered In his ears. He turned swiftly around. The Irishman's red head bad appeared at the top of the staircase. "Drop that signal or I'll blow you Into bits," he shouted. The operator hesitated, dazed. "Walk towards me," Gallagher shouted. "Look here, you guy, this will show you whether I'm In earnest or not!" A bullet passed within a few Inches of tbe operator's head. He came slow ly across the room. Below they could "This ain't your Job," the Irishman continued savagely. "We want the cop, and we're going to have him." Quest had stolen a yard or two nearer during this brief colloquy. Gal lagher's mate from behind shouted out a warning Just a second too late. With a sudden kick, Quest sent the re volver flying across the room and be fore the Irlshmancould recover he CHAPTER XI. Mrs Rhelnlioldt welcomed the In spector with a beaming smile as bo stepped out of his office and ap proached her nutomohllo. How nice of you to be so punctual, Mr. French," she exclaimed, making room for him by her side. "Will you tell the rutin to drive to Mr. Quest's house In Georgia square?" Tho Inspector obeyed and took his place In tbe luxurious limousine. "How beautifully punctual wo are!" she continued, glancing at the clock. "Inspector, I am so excited at tbe Idea of getting my Jewels hack. Isn't Mr. Quest a wonderful man?" 'He's a clever chap, all right," the Inspector admitted. "All tho samo, I'm rntber sorry ho wasn't able to lay hands on the thief." That's your point of view, of course," sirs. Rhelnholdt remarked. I can think of nothing but having my diamonds back. I feel I ought to go and thank the professor for recom mending Mr. Quest." The Inspector ruado no reply. Mrs. Rholnholdt was suddenly aware that she was becoming a little tactless. Of course," she sighed, "It Is dis appointing not to bo able to lay your hands upon tho thief. That la where I suppose you must find the Interfer ence of an nmateur like Mr. Quest a little troublesome sometimes. He gets back the property, which Is what the private Individual wants, but he doesn't secure tho thief, which Is, of course, the real end of the case from your point of view." "It's a queer affair about these Jew els," the Inspector remarked. "Quest hasn't told me the whole story yet. Here we are on the stroke of time!" The car drew up outside Quest's house, The Inspector assisted his companion to alight and rang the bell at the front door. There was a some what prolonged pause. He rang again. "Never knew this to happen before," ho remarked. "That sort of secretary valet of Mr. Quest's Ross Brown I think he calls him Is always on the spot." They waited for some time, there was still no answer to their sum mons. The Inspector placed bis ear to the keyhole. There was not a sound to be heard. He drew back, a little puzzled. At that moment bis atten tion was caught by the fluttering of a little plcoe of white material caught In the door. He pulled It out. It was a fragment of white embroidery, and on It were several small stains. Tbe In spector looked at them and looked at his fingers. His face grew suddenly grave. "Seems to me," he muttered, "that there has been some trouble here. I shall have to take a liberty. If youH excuse me, Mrs. Rhelnboldt, I think It would be better If you waited In the car until I send out for you." "You don't think the Jewels have been stolen again?" she gasped. Tbe Inspector made no reply. He had drawn from bis pocket a little pass key and was fitting it Into the lock. The door swung open. Once more they were both conscious of that peculiar silence, which seemed to have In it some unnamable quality. He moved to the foot of the stairs and shouted: "llello! Anyon there?" Ther aa no reply. II opened th door of tb to Mom on tb right band side, her Queat brn b waa angag'd lo any widespread affair, kepi a tanoiraphr and a talegraph oper ator. I loth room war amply. Than a turned toward Quest s study on th left band side. French tin man of Iron narv. No por on earth could hav kept back tb cry which broke from bis II pa A fw feat ay from th door trotcbad lb body of tb secretary valt. On th other sld of th room, lying a though aha bad slipped from th bo fa, bar bead fall oo on alda In hideous fashion, was tb body of MlafQutgg. th Salvation Army young woman. French sat his teeth and drw bark th curtains. In th clear er light th disorder of th room was fully rrald. Thar had bn a tar rtbl atruggl. ntwn whom? How? Thar was suddenly a piercing shriek. Tb Inspector turned quickly around. Mr. Rbalnboldt who bad dis regarded hi ad vie, was standing on tb threshold. "Inspector!" sb cried. "What baa happened? Oh. my God!" h covered ber fac with bar bands. French gripped her by th arm. At that moment ther was th sound of an automobll stopping out sld. "Keep qult for a moment" the In pctor whispered In her car. "Pull yourself togvtbar, madam. Go to th other end of th room. Don't look. Stay ther for a few moment and then get bom a quick a you can." 8h obeyed him mutely, pressing her hands to her eyes, shivering In every limb. French, stood back Inald th room. II beard tho front door open, b heard Quest's vole outside. Where tha devil ar you, Ross?" There was no reply. The door was pushed open. Qurat entered, followed by th professor and Craig. Tba inspector stood watching their faces. Queat cam to a stand still before be had passed the thresh old. II looked upon the floor and h looked across to th sofa. Then h looked at Freuch. "My God!" be muttered. The professor pushod past He bad looked around the room, and gated at the two bodies with an expression of blank and absolute, terror. Then he fell back Into Craig's arms. "The poor girl!" he cried. "Herri ble! Horrible! Horrlblo!" "Know anything about this?" Quest asked aulckly. "Not a thing," the Inspector replied I "We arrived, Mr. Rholnholdt and I at five minutes past twelve. There I was no answer to our ring. I uaud my pass key and entered. Thla Is ! what I found." J Quest stood over tbe body of his I valet for a moment The man was ob viously dead. The Inspector took his handkerchief and covered up tbe head A few feet away was a heavy paper weight "Killed by a blow from behind French rcmarkod grimly, "with that little affair. Look here!" Tbey glanced down at the girl Quest's eyebrows came together quick ly. There were two blue marks upon ber throat where a man's thumbs might have been. "The bands again," he muttered. The Inspector nodded. "Can you make anything of It?" "Not yet," QueBt confessed. "I must think." The Inspector glanced at him curi ously. "Where on earth have you been to?" be demanded. "Boen to?" Quest repeated. "Look In the mirror!" French Bug gested. Quest glanced at himself. His col lar had given way, his tie was torn, a button and some, of the cj&th haj beer In J fr n hie ial, bl IruUfie si tuns aiid a a ri4 dust "I II ui so aix'ut mr irnsiila a III lie Uur nil," ha M tM "Hay, can'l keep !! f II kj uul ! Ibey r lu lai lura and ! ma ( aliaaily A Iha llneihold Qijel eautig round loaard litem tilrls." Ii said, "ther ha ! sina trouble ttei (In and all up- a'alra, linxa. or all In tba hall I aura, inn had beiiar telephone I th polka atalloB and for a d'xlur Thai t rtghl, lsu'1 II. Inspector?" "teal" lb latter ssseulad thought fully lboia. hlte lo tba Hps, staggered fw fi lack Into Iba hall. Uuia at bar lealh Slid lingered, "la that ItosaT ah asked "It's hi body." Quest rrl'lleJ "He's ben muidered bra, ha and tha Hala lion Army girl ho lo rum this morning for her ebath ' lura turned aay half dated. "I'd hav Irusled Itos with my Ufa." Qul continued, "but h must bar bean alone lu tha bousa ha th girl ram IM feu cuppo It as th usual art of trouble f Inspector French ati'oped doaa and picked up tb paper aright. Acrue II a stamped tha baiue of Haulord Qua I. Thl your. Qul?" "Of course It la," Quest answered "Everything In tb room I mine" "Tb girl would light to defend bar if." th Inspector remarked sluly. "but sb could Drar strike a mas such a blow aa your valet died from." rrorh (looped and picked up mall clock. It had stopped at elerea fifteen. II looked at It thoughtfully "Quest." b wot on, "I'll hav to aak you a question." "Why not?" Quest raplltd looking quickly up. Wbarw wr you at lvn flftaann On towr No, 10 of th Nw York Central, acrapptng for my Ufa," Queat answered grimly. "I'v rtason to ra ms ruber It" Bomethlng In th Inspector' steady gal seamed to lnsplr tb criminolo gist with a now Idea. II cam a step forward, a Uttl frown upon bis fore head. Say, French." h exclaimed, "yon don't you dont suspect of this?" French waa unmoved. II looked Queat In tha ay a. "I don't know." b said. CHAPTER All. For th moment a nw clement bad been Introduced Into th horror of th Uttl tableau. AH eye wer fixed upon Queat ho listened to tb Inspector's dubious words with a superclllo mil upon hi lips. Terhaps." ba suggested, "you would Ilk to aak m a few questions?" "i'erbap I may feel It my duty to do so," the Inspector replied gravely. "In the Orst place, then, Mr. Quest, will you kindly explain the condition of your clothes?" Quest Bhrti'i-d hi shoulder. "Her you aro, then," he replied "Coma (uuiid e4 su la "' tuUil-, ou uf ( " Iba anibulsiir) una rame and da liied nn tlieir grim Luidni. lb IioiUI on Ida givund fliair ss lotkrd mi ataliil, and Iha bu ass aoon mil; afrit d aMbe lao gills To- aid Ihira o't lot k 1-aaur aenl out and irluiurd aiih a uaspspr hli iihd II out upn lli labia aud Ihsy both puled or IL "Musllie Itmll-a baa ltfud to Con sider ball" Ilea guy. Ibal Jusilt Ihiupe. and ao lb Idlul ho Mil this aliiff'" lauie anlalined. Ungat ing Iba paper y from her. 'I guess Iha piiifessiir ss dead light bctt ba lold Flaura ba as linking up lb un man who could clear up Iba hoi slinw " lunula nodded thoughtfully. "Iha profeesur spiia up Ilk a man," sb agreed, "but I sura, I aabt lo aak you Bouiiblug I'ld you nolle hi senaiit-thst man Cislgf "Can't say I did particularly," Uuia dmltled. "Take." Lnura continued. "I thought b going to fslnt I tall you ha scared th hol of lb lime" "What ar you getting at aldf lura demanded. At Craig. If I can." Lenora replied. moving toaard th talepbuo. 'Ilea glr bi th phototlm I am going to talk to tb prufaaaur.' Uur adjusted tb mirror to th lav Irumenl and l-aoora rang tp. Th professor himself aosasrad th tall "liar you an tb tbra o'clock dltlun, professor," Laaora asked. 1 Barer read newspaper, young lady," th professor replied. "l-t to Ull you what they aay bout Mr. Quasi!" Lanora commenced a rambling count of what sb bad read la lb Bewspaper. All th tlm th ya of th to girl wr filed upon lb mir ror. Thay could aea th prufaaeor tad In hi chair with two hug vol ume by hi (Ida, a pile of manuscript and a pan In bla band. They could ran catch tb look of sympathy on his far a ba llstaoad attentively. Sud denly lienors almoat brok off. 8b gripped Iaure by tb arm. Tb door of th study bad bean opaoed slowly, and Craig, carrying a bundle, paused for a moment on tb thrhld. II g Ian red nervously toward th rufe- or, who seemed unawsr or Bl en trance. Then b moved atralthlly to ward tha fireplace, stooped down and. committed something to tb frame. Tb relief on bit fare, ha stood up. was obvious All I ran do for Mr. Quest, young lady, I will," th professor promised. II laid th recrlveriian and th f I :i c pi J, ;U 4 wy -' &,., -j . in Ha Set HI Teeth and Jumped. "This morning I decided to mak a attempt to clear up th mystery Macdougal' disappearance. I sent on my secretary . Mist iJtura. to mtk friends with th section boas, and Lenora and I went out by automobll a littles later. We Instituted a search on a new principle, and before very long we found Macdougal' body That's on up sgalutt you. I think, lu tpector." "Very likely," the Iniprctor oh- lerved. "Go on, please." "I left the two young Indlea, at Miss Lenora's with, to superintend the re moval of the body. I myself hud an engagement to deliver over her JoW' ol to Mr, lthclnholdt hero at mid day, I returned to wher my automo bllo wai waiting, started for the city tnd wat attacked by two thugt near the tectlon houte. I got away from them, ran to tbe tower houte to try and stop tbe freight, wat followed by tho thugt, and Jumped out on to the latt car from the signal arm," "Where It your antomobllo?" "No Idea," Quest replied. "I left It In the road. When I Jumped from the freight car I took a taxkab to the pro fessor's and called for him, ar ranged." Tho Inspector nodded. "1 shall have to ask you to excuse mo for a moment," ho said, "while I ring up number ten signal tower. If Mr. Quest's stnry receives corrobora tion the matter Is at an end." The Inspect. r loft the room almost Immediately. When he returned ho was looking graver than ever. "Quest," he announcod, "your alibi Is useless In fact, a little worse than useless. The operator at number ten has been found murdered at the back of tho towor!" Quest started. "I ought not to have left blm to those thugs," be murmured regretfully. "There Is no automobile of yours In the vicinity," tho Inspector continued, 'nor any news of It I think It will bo as well now, Quest, for this matter to take Its obvious course. Will you first of all, hand over hor Jowcls to Mrs. Rholnholdt?" Quost drew tbe keys of tho safe from his pocket, crossed the room and swung open the safe door. For a mo ment afterwards he stood transfixed. His arm, half outstretched, remained motionless. Thon be turned slowly around. "Tbe Jewels have been stolen," be announced with unnatural calm. The tor laid his hand heavily upon .oat s shoulder. . ' "You will kindly consider yoursolf under arrest, Quest. Ladles and gen tlemen, will you clear the room now, If you please. The ambulance I tele phoned for Is outside." The professor, who had been look ing as though dazed, suddenly Inter vened. "Mr. French," he said earnestly, "I am convinced that you are making a great mistake. In arresting and tak ing away Mr. Quest you are removing from us the one man who Is likely to be able to clear up this mystery." The Inspector pushed him gently to one side. You will excuse me, professor," be said, "but this Is no matter for argu ment If Mr. Quest can clear himself, no one will be more glad than I." Quest shrugged bis shoulders. "Tbe inspector will have bis little Joke," be observed dryly. "It's all fight, girls. Keep cool," he went on, t he taw tbe teart In Lenora's eyes. ' ., HV- I ' '.a i ' J !- "Th Jswsl Hav Bttn Btolenl" reflection on th mirror faded away, lenora started up and hastily put on her coat and hat which wore at III ly ing on tho chair. "I am going right down to th pro- fetsor't," alio announced. What do you think you can do there?" I-nura tsked. I am going to tee If I ctn And out what that man burned," the replied. "1 will bo hack In an hour." Ijiura wnlked with her tt fnr at the ttreet car, and very soon afterward Lenora found herself knocking at the professor's front door. Craig admitted, her almost at once. For a moment he teemed to shiver at he recognlied her.; Well, young lady," tho professor said, "havo you thought of something I can do?" Sho took no notion of tho chair to which ho pointed, and rested hor hand, upon his shoulder. "Frofossor," she bogged, "go and see Mr. Quest! Ho Is In the Tombs prison. It would ho tho klndost thing anyone could possibly do." Tho professor glanced regretfully at hit manuscrnpt, but be did not hesi tate. He rose promptly to hit foot If you think ho would appreciate) tt, I will go at once," he docldod. Hor face shone with gratltudo. "That Is really kind of you, profes sor," she declared. "1 will tend for my coat and we will go together, If you like," bo tuggosted. She smiled. "1 am going the other way, back to Georgia square," the explained. "No, please don't ring. I can And my own way out" She hurrlod from the room. Outsldo In the hall the paused for a moment, listening with bentlng heart. Ry tho side wall was a bat rack with branch ing pegs, from which several coats were hanging. She slipped quietly be hind their sholter. A moment or two Inter the heard the professor loave the house. Very cautiously she stole out from her hid ing place. The ball was empty, She crossed It with noiseless footsteps, lipped Into the study and moved tealthlly to the fireplace. There wat little heap of SBhns In one distinct pot Bhe gathered them up In her handkerchief and secreted It In her dress and quietly left the house. At Georgia square she found Laura waiting for her, and a few minutes af terward the two girls were examining the ashes with the aid of Quest's mi croscope. Among the Uttlo pile was one fragment at the sight of which they both exclaimed. It was distinctly shred of charred muslin embroidery. Lenora pointed toward It triumphant- "Isn't that evidence?" she demand- "Let's ring up Inspector French!' (Continued on page 8.)