Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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E.PrnUJP5 ( Novelized from the Photo Play of the Bni Film Manufaet 8YNOP8I8. Ranford Quest, master criminologist ot the world, finds that tn bringing to Jus tice Macdoiignl. tho murderer of Cord Ashleigh's duughter. he has but just en tered a life-and-death contest with a mys terious master criminal. Kngaged by Pro fessor Ashleigh, I.ord Ashleigh's brother, to recover the stolen skeleton of an an thropoid ope. hurried to Mrs Rheinholdt's reception, where her diamonds ?lave been torn from her throat by a pnlr of hands without arms or body, A black box Inter appears from nowhere tn his rooniH and u not? contained In lt. signed by the arm less hands, sarcastically suggests that the Rheinholdt diamonds and the skeleton may be bidder, together. While t.aura. Quest's secretary, shadows Craig, the pro fessor's valet. Quest and Ixsnora. his as sistant, find tho skeleton In a hut In the professor's garden, and discover there nn Inhuman creature, half monkey and halt man. As the professor explains, the hut la set afire and the monkey-man and skeleton are destroyed In the flames. In Quest's rooms the Rheinholdt diamonds euddenly reappear, enclosed In a second black box with a note signed by the threatening hands. FOURTH INSTALLMENT AN OLD GRUDGE. CHAPTER X. I Sanford Quest was smoking his after-breakfast cigar with a relish somewhat, affected by the measure of hlB perplexities. Early though it was, Lenora was already In her place, bend ing over her desk, and Laura, who had Just arrived, was busy divesting her self of her coat and hat. Quest watched the latter impatiently. "Well?" ho asked. Laura came forward, straightening her hair with her hands. "No go." she answered. "I spent the ?vening in the club, and I talked with two men who knew Craig, but I couldn't get on to anything. From all I could hear of the man, respectabil ity ls bis middle name." 'That's the professor's own Idea." QueBt remarked grimly. "We're fairly up against lt, boss," Laura sighed. "The bcBt thing we can do is to get on to another Job. The Rheinholdt woman has got ber jewels back, or will have at noon to day. I bet she won't worry about the thief. Then the professor's-moldy old skeleton was returned to him, even if lt was burned up afterwards. I should take on something fresh." "Can't be done," Quest replied short- j ly. "Look here. glrlB. your nverage j intellects are often apt; to hit upon the truth, when a man who sees too far ahead goos wrong. Rule Craig out. Any other possible person occur to you? Speak out, Lenora. You've something on your mind, I can see." "I'm afraid you'll laugh at me," she began tentatively. "Won't hurt you If I do," QueBt re? plied. "I can't help thinking of Macdou gall Lenora continued falteringly. "He has never been recaptured. I don't know whether he's dead or alive. He had a perfect passion for Jewels. If be ls alive, he would be desperate and would attempt anything." Quest smoked in silence for a mo ment I "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 hts hands on lt. However, 1 always meant when we had a moment's spare time, to look Into .'hat fellow's where abouts. We'll- take it on straight away. Can't do any barm." "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," Qtsrst direct ed. "Try snd, 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 lt in a quarter of an hour." "Can't help that," Quest replied. "Mrs. Retnholdt's coming here to Iden tify ber Jewels at twelve o'clock, and I can't run any risk of there being no ti ?In back. You'd better be making good with the section boss. Take plenty of bills with you." "Sure! That's essy enough," Laura promised him. "I'M be waiting for you." She hurried off and Quest com menced his own preparations From hts safe he took one of the smell blsek lumps of explosive to which he'1 bsd once before owed bis lite, snd fit ted lt carefully In a small case with a coll of wire and an electric lighter. Ho looked at bis revolver and re charged lt. Finally he rang the bell tor bis confidential valet. "Ross," he asked, "who else Is there ' here today besides you?" "No one today, slr." Must as well, perhaps." Quest c> - served. "Listen. Rotr, I am gotag out now teran hour or two. but I shall be bick st midday. Remember that Mrs: Rheinholdt and Inspector French are to be her? at twelve o'clock. If by any chas** I should ha a few minutes la-*, ?ldc them io wal*. And, Ros n young woman from Ute Salvati COP VT? t OH T tots ona r WOOD me Name. Produced by tho Universal urhig Company. Army will call loo. Tou can give her this check." , Ross Brown, who was QueBt'e secre .tary-valet and general factotum, ac cepted the slip of paper and placed lt 'in an envelope. "There' are oo 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 on to head quarters. Come on, Lenora." Tiiey left the house, entered the walting automobile, and drove rapid ly towards the confines of the city. By Quest's directions the automo bile was brought to a standstill at a point where lt skirted thc main rail way line, and close to the section house whic.5; he bad appointed for his rendezvous with Laura. She had apparently seen their approach, and she carno out to meet them at once, ac companied by a short, thick-set man .whom she introduced SB Mr. Horan. "This ls Mr. Horan, the section boss," she explained. Mr. Horan shook hands. "Say, I've heard of you, Mr. Quest," he announced. "The young lady tells me you are some interested in that prisoner they lost off tho cara near here." "That's so," Quest admitted. "We'd like to go to tho spot If we could." "That's dead easy," tho boss re plied. "I'll take you along on the handcatK^Bja^ The section boss turned round and whistled. From a little side track two men jumped on to a handcar, and brought lt around to where they were standing. A few yards away the man who was propelling lt-a great, red headed Irishman-suddenly ceased bis efforts. Leaning over his pole, he gazed at Quest. A sudden ferocity darkened his coarse face. He gripped his mate by the arm. "See that bloke there?" he asked, pointing at Quest. "The guy with the linen collar?" the other answered. "I see bim." "That's Quest, tho detective." the Irishman went on hoarsely. "That's the man who got me five years in the pen, the beast! That's the man I've been looking for. You're my mate, Jim, eh?" "I guess BO," the -other grunted. "Are you guTng to try arid du him in?" "Now then, you fellows," Horan shouted. "What are you hanging about there for, Red Gallagher? Bring the carriage up. You fellows can have a smoke for an hoifr. I'm going to take her down the line for a blt." The two men obeyed and disap peared in the direction of the section house. Quest looked after them curl ously. "That's a big fellow," he remarked, "What did you call him? Red Galla gher? I seem to have seen him be fore." "He was the most troublesome fol low on the line once, slthough he wai the biggest worker." the boss replied "He got Ave years in the penitentiary find that seems to have taken th? ? spirit out of him." "I believe I was in the case," Quee observed carelessly.' I "That's so! Now then, young la dies," Mr. Horan advised, "hold tight I and here, goes!" j They, ambled down the line foi i about half a mlle. Then Horat brought them to standstill. "This ls the spot," he declared "Now, If you want my Impressions yoi are welcome to them- AU the searcl has been made on the right-hand sid? here and in New York. I've had m: eye on that hill for a long time. M; Impression ls that he hld there." "I'll take your advice," Quest dc elded. "We'll spread out and take i little exercise In hill climbing." "Good luck to youl" the boss ei claimed. They searched carefully and d?lit erately for more than half an hom Then Laura suddenly called out The; looked around to find only her bea visible. She scrambled up, muddy an with wet leaves clinging to her skin "Say, that guy ot a section . eoe told me to look out for caves. I'v been In one, sure enough! Only Jua saved myself." They hurried to where she wai Quest peered into the declivity dow which she had slipped. Suddenly ta gave vent to a little exclamation. J the same time Laura called eut A Inch or two of tweed waa clearly vii IbVs through tba strewa leaves. Qu ea fiat on his' stomach, crawled a Ititi way down? took ont his electric tore 'from hid pocket and brushed the stu away. Than ho clambered to his fed "Our search- is over," ?he declare gravely, "and your troubles, Leiten That ia Macdougall body." Lenora's face aank. into ber han<? for a moment. Quest stood oa ea side while Laura passed ber an around the other girl's waist. Quest glanced at bis wa*?h. "lil have to .sst,'' he said, "but I' send sumeoue a ?ng- Cheer up, L> nora," ha Added kindly. "Look aft? Laura." Que ng the road t the spot where he had |ft (be ctr. The chauffeur, who saw lim comlug, started vp and climbed lo bis seat. Quest took his place. I "Drive to the office," lilordered. The man slipped in hiAlutch. They were in the act of glldkg off when there was a tremendousleport. They stopped short. The mannimped down and looked st the back Ire. I "Blowout," he remark 4 laconically. ' Quest frowned. "How long will lt taki V "Four minutes," the man replied. "I've got another wheel ready. That's the queerest blowout I ever saw, though," ; The two mon leaned over tho tire. Suddenly Quest's expn Mien changed. His hand stole into his alp pocket. **Tom," he explained, "that wasn't a blowout at all. Look tere!" He pointed to the saudi level hole. Almost at once he stood back and tho sunshine flashed upoa the revolver clutched in his right hand. "That was a bullet." he continued. "Someone fired at that tire. Tom, there'a trouble about." The man looked nervously around. "That's a rifle bullet, sure," he mut tered. "Get on the wheel as quick as you can," Quest directed. "Here, I'll give you a hand." Hb stoopped down to unfasten the strapB which fastened thc spare wheel. It was one of his rare lapses, realized a moment too late. Almost In his cars came the hoarse cry: "Hands up, guvnor! Hands up this second or I'll blow you to hell!". Quest glanced over his shoulder and looked into the face of Rod Gallagher, raised a little above the level of the road. A very ugly little revolver was pointed directly at Quest's heart. "My mate's got you covered on the other side of the road, too. Hands up, both of you, o.- we'll make a quick job of it." Quest shrugged his shoulders, threw his revolver Into tho road and obeyed. As he did so, the other man stole out from behind a bush and sprang for the chauffeur, who under cover of tho car was stealing off. There was a brief struggle, then the dull thud of the railway man's rifle faRing on tho chauffeur's head. Ile rolled over and lay In the road. "Pitch him off amongst the bushes," Red Gallagher ordered. "You don't want anyone who comes by to Bee. Now lend me a hand with this chap." "What do you propose to do with me?" QueBt asked. "You'll know soon enough." Red Gal lagher answered. "A matter of Ave minutes' talk, to start with. You see that handcar house?" "Perfectly well," Quest assented. "My eyesight ?B quite normal." "Get there then. I'm a yard behind you and. my revolver's pointing for the middle of your back." QueBt sprang lightly down from the road, crossed the few intervening yards and stepped into the handcar house. Gallagher and his mate followed clone behind. Quest paused on the threshold. "It's a filthy dirty bole," he re marked. "Can't we have our little chat out here? Is if money ycu want?" Gallagher glanced around. Then with an ugly push of the shoulder ho sent Quest reeling into tim shed. His great form blocked up the doorway. "No," he cried fiercely, "lt's not money I want this time. Quest, you brute, you dirty bloodhound! You sent me to the pen for five years-you "Hands Up, Guvnor!" with your cursed prying Into oth? people's affairs. Dont you remember tee, eh? Red Gallagher?" "Of. course I do," Quest replied coolly. "You garroted and robbed an etd man and had the spree ot your life. The old man happened to be a friend of mine, so I took the trouble to see that you paid for tt. Well?" "Five years ot hell, that's what 1 hid." the man continued, his eyes .flashing, his face twitching With su gar. "Well, you're going to nave a little bit more than five years. Thia shed's been burnt, down twice, spark* from passing engines. It's going tc be burnt down for tba third time." "Sounds remarkably unpleasant," Quest admitted. "You'd better hurry or the bots #111 ?? back." t-Ilagher finally slammed tho door. Quest heard the heavy footsteps ot thr two mea aa they turned toward the section house. He drew a little esse from his pocket. He opened what-seemed to be s li;?ie mahogany box,, looked at the bali "The Hut, Professor! of black substance inside, closed lt up, placed lt against the far wall, un twisted tho coll, stood back near tho door and then pressed tho button. The result was extraordinary. Tho whole of the far wall was blown out and for some distance iu front the ground was furrowed up by the explosion. Quest replaced tho instrument in his pocket, sprang through thc opening and ran for tho tower house. Behind him on its woy to New York he could see a freight trr.in renting elong. Ho could hear, too. Red Gallagher's roar of auger. It was less tnnn fifty yards, yet as Boen cs ho reached the shelter of the tower the thunder of Hie freight sounded in Quest's tern. He glanced nround. Red Gallagher und hin n:;ite wero racing almost Bids by side to wards him. Ho rushed up the narro* stairs into Ihr signal room; tenring open his coat io shew hin official badge "Stop the freight," he shouted to the operator. "Quick. I'm Sanford Quest, detective-special powers from the chief commissioner." Tho man moved to the signal. An other \oioi? thundered in his ears. He turned BWlftly around. Thc Irishman's red ht:: 1 lind appeared at the top of the staircase. . "Drop that signal or I'll blow you Into hits." he shouted. The operator hesitated, dazed. "Walk towards mo," Gallagher shouted. "Look hero, you guy, this will Bhow you whethor I'm In earnest or not!" A bullet passed within a few inches of the operator's head. He came slow ly across the room. BeloyT^hey could hear the roar of the freight. "This ain't your Job," tho Irishman continued savagely. "Wo 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 shout ed out a warning just a second too late. With a sudden kick. Quest sent tho re volver flying across the room and be fore the Irishman could receiver he struck him full In the face. Notwith standing his huge size and strmgth, Gallagher reoled. Thc operator who had just begun to realize what was happening flung himself bodily n-ainst thc two thugs. A shot from tho tan gled mas? of struggling limbs whis tled past Quest's head as ho sprang to tho window which overlooked the track. Tho freight had already almost passed. Quest steadied himself for a cuprcme effort, crawled out on tho lit tle steel bridge and poised himself for a moment. The last car waa just be neath. The gip between it and the previous one was slipping by. Ho set his teeth and ji mped on the smooth top. Back behind .he tower Red Galla gher and his nr.to bent with horrified faces over the body of tho signalman. "What the hell did you want to plug him tor?" the latter muttered. "He ain't in the show at all. You've done us. Red, ho's cooked!" Red Gallagher staggered to lils feet, Already the horror of the murderer was In his face as ho glanced furtive ly around. "I never meant to drop him." he muttered. "I got mad at seeing Quest get off. That man's a devil." ' What are we golug to dor* the other demanded hoarsely. "There's the auto," Gallagher shout ed. "?orae on, old man! I cnn fix thc wheel. If we've got to swing'tor this job. we'll have something of our own back first-" They crawled to the side of the road. Gallagher's rough, hs! ry Angara .vere still trembling, but they knew their joh. In a few minutes the wheel was fixed. Clumsily but successfully, the great Irishman turned the car around away from the city. "She's a hummer." he muttered. "Ill make her go when we get the hang of it. Sit tight" They drove clumsily off. gathering speed at every yard. Behind, in the shadow ot the tower, the signalman lay dead. Quest, halt way to New York, stretched flat on his stomach, waa atrugfcJ' ig for life with knees and hands and feet. CHAPTER Xl. Mrs. Rheinholdt welcomed, tho in specter with a beaming smile as he stepped out of his office and ap proached her automobile. "How-nice of vcu to be so punctual, Mr. French," Bhe exclaimed. mr.!;!.~? room ror him by her r.lde. "".Vin yon tel! tho man to drtVe \o 2>J r. . Qiicrt'<> house In Georgia square?" The Inspector obeyed end took his p'acis ia <he luxurious iii..* itsine. '.How beautifully punctual Th? Hut ls on Fire!" "Inepeet'.ir. I nm BO exrltrc! nt tho iden of getting my jewels bark. Isn't Mr. Quest a wonderful man?" "He's a clever chai?, ?ll right." the Inspector admitted. "All the same, I'm rather Berry he wasn't aldo to lay hands on thc thief." ."Thtit's your point of view, of course." Mrs. Rheinholdt remarked. "I can think of nothing but having my diamonds bach. I feel I ought to 50 nnd thank ./ie professor for recom mending Mr. Quest." The inspector made no reply. Mrs. Rheinholdt was suddenly aware that she vas becoming a little tactless. "Of courre.' she sighed, 'it Is dis appoint ing not to bo able, to lay your hands upon the thief. That ls where I suppose you iiutfit find the Interfer ence of an amateur l?to Mr. Quest a little troublesome sometimes. Ile gets back tho property, which ts what the private Individual ?ants, but he doesn't secure tho thief, which ls. of course, the real end of the catie from your point of view." "It's a queer affair about these Jew els." tho inspector remarked. "Quest hasn't told me tho whole story yet. Hero we are on tho Strohe of time!" The car drew up outside Quest's house. The Inspector assisted hiB companion to alight, and rang the boll at tho front door. Thorn was a some what prolonged pau?e. He rang again. "Never knew this to happen before," he remarked. "That sort of secretary valet of Mr. Quest's-ROBS 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. Tho inspector placed hld car to the keyhole. There was not a sound, .to be heard. Ho drow back, a little puzzled. At that moment his atten tion was caught by the fluttering of n ? little pleco ol' white material caught in tho door. He pulled lt out. It was a fragment of white embroidery, and on lt wero several small stains. The In spector looked at them and looked at his Angers. His faco grew suddenly grave. "Seems to me," he muttered, "that thero has been souio trouble here. 1 shall have to take a liberty. If you'll excuso mo. Mrs. Rheinholdt. ? think lt would be better If you waited in the car until I send out for you." "You don't think tho Jewels have been stolon again?" sbo gasped. Tho inspector made no reply. He had drawn from his pocket a little pass key and was Atting lt into -the lock. Tho door swung open. Once more they wero both conscious of that peculiar silence, which seemed to have in it sonni unnamable quality. He moved to tho foot of tho stairs and shouted: "Hello! Anyono there?"' " There was no reply. Ho opened tho jj doors of the two rooms on tho right hand side, wbero Quest, when he was engaged In any widespread affair, kept a stenographer and a telegraph oper ator. Roth rooms were empty. Then lie turned towards Quest's study on tho left-hand side. French was a man of Iron nerve. No power on earth could have kept back the cry which broke from his Ups. A few feet away from the door wai Mretched the body of the secretary valet. On the other eldo of tho room, lying OB though ehp had slipped from tho sofa, her head fallen on one side fin hldooua fashion, was tho body ol ? , Miss Qulgg, the Salvation Army young I woman. French set bis teeth and drew back the curtains. In tho clear I er light the disorder of the room wai fully revealed. There bad been a ter . J riblo struggle. Between whom? How' There was suddenly a piercing shriek. The inspector turned quick!) ' around. Mrs. Rheinholdt, who had dis ; rcgrrded his advice, was standing on . the threshold. "Inspector!" she cried. "V'hat hat happened? Oh, my God!" # She covered her face with hei j hanns. French gripped her by th? erm. At that moment there was tin ; sound, of an automobile stopping out . side. "Keep quiet for a moment," the in spector whispered in her car. "Pul j yourself together, madam. Oo to tin I other end of the room. Don't look .. Stay there for a few moments ant '. then get home as quick as you can.' ? 8be obeyed him mutely, pressing \ her hands to her eyes, shivering li ? every limb. French, stood back insidi ' ?ho room. He heard the front doo open, he beard Quest's voice outside "Where the devil are you. Ross?" There was no reply. Tb? door waa pushed opes. Quos entered, ??l?fcwed t>y t!'* professor ?ni ' Craig. The Inspector stood watching I their facer. Quest esme to a stead still before hf! had r.?"sed the threih old. Itu looked u??n tito flour and he looked ncroBB tu tho sofa. Then he looked nt French. "My tJod!" he mistered. Tho professor pushed past. He had looked around the room, and gazed nt the two bodies with an expression of blank and absoluta terror. Then he fell hack Into Craig's arms. "the poor giri!" he cried. "Horri ble! Horrible! Horrible!" "Know anything nbout this?" Quest apked quickly. "Not a thing," the Inspector replied. "Wo arrived, Mrs. Rheinholdt and 1. af tho minutes past twelve. Thero was no answer to our ring. 1 used my pass key and cnterod. This is what 1 found." Quest stood over tho body of Ms valet for a moment. Tho man was ob viously dead. Tho Inspector look his handkerchief and covered tip the head. A few feet away was a heavy paper weight. "Killed by a blow from behind," Kreuch remarked grimly, "with that litt lo affoir. Look hero!" They glanced down at tho girl. Quest's eyebrows came together quick ly. Thero were two bluo marks upon her throat whare a man's thumba might havo been. "Tho hands again." he muttered. The Inspector nodded. "Can you make anything of lt?" "Not yet," Quest confessed. "I must think." The inspector glanced nt him curi ously. "Where on earth have you been to?" bo demanded. "Ueon to?" Quest repeated. "Look In thc mirror!" French sug gested. QueBt glanced at hlvself. Ula col lar had given way. his tlo WBB torn, a hutton nnd some of tho cloth had been wrenched from ti ls coat, his treuser? wore torn and he was covered with dust. "I'll tell you nbout my troublo a lit tle* later on," he replied. "Say. can't wo keep those glrln out?" They were too lato. Laura and Len ora were already upon tho threshold. Quent swung round toward them. "Girls," bo said, "there has beea some troublo here. Go and walt up Cairs, Lenora, or sit In tho ball. He Set His Teeth and Jumped. Laura, you had better telephone to the police station and for a doctor. That's right, lan't lt, inspector?" "Yes!", the latter assented thought fully. Lenora, white to the dps, staggered a few feet back Into tte hall. -Laura ?et her teeth and lingen, d. "Is that Ross?'' sha at-h^d. "It's his body," Quest replied. "He's been murdered here, he and thu Salva tion Army girl who was to come this morning for her check." Laura turned away half dazed. "I'd have trusted Ross with my life," Quest continued, "but he must have j been alone in the house v.h?n the girl t came. Do you suppose lt was the , usual sort of troublo?" Inspector French stooped down and ! picked up the paper-weight. Across lt was stamped tho name of Sanford ? Quest. "This yours. Quest?" I "Ot course it is," Quest answered j "EveryHiing In tho room la raine." "The girl would fight to defend her self," the inspector remarked slowly, ' "but she could never strike a man such a blow as your valet died from." French stooped and picked up a small clock. It had stopped at eleven , fifteen. He looked at lt thoughtfully. \ "Quest," ho went on, "I'll have to \ ask you a question." "Why not?" Quest replied looking quickly up. "Where wore you at eloven-flfteen?" j , "On tower No. 10 of the New York t Central, scrapping for ray life." Quest ' answered grimly. "I've reason to re j member it" Something in tho* inspector's steady gase seemed to Inspire the crimin?lo ' gist with a now idea. He came a step forward, a little frown upon his fore : head. i "Say, French/' he exclaimed, "you 1 don't-you don't suspect me of this?" . .French '?as unmoved. liz looked , Qnrst ?r.'tba eyes. ! v "t don't ano*." he said. . ' , (TO HU COXTINTED.) Be Sure To See The "Black Box" Today At The Bijou 1 his is one of the greatest j Serial Pictures ever shown. Be sure to see it 9