Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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EPHttUUPS i Noveliaad from tho Photo Flay of tho 8a Film Manufact 8YNOP8I8. iaafbrd Quest, master criminologist of th? World, finds that In bringing to Jus tic* Macdougal. the murderer of Lord Ashleigh's daughter, tie has but Just be nin a life-and-death struggle with a mys terious master criminal. In a hidden hut In Professor Ashleigh'? gard-n he has teen an anthropoid ape skeleton and a liv ing Inhuman creature, half monte y, hilf man. destroyed by fire. In his room have appeared from nowhere black boxes, ona containing dls^vonds torn from a lowly throat by-a pair of armless, threatening -hands, both with sarcastic, threatening notes signed by the inscrutable hands. Ho ta arrested for the murder of his valet. Ross Brown, and a Misa Qulgg, In his rooms. Laura and Lenora, his assistants, suspect Craig, the professor's valet. Le nora ts abducted by the threatening hands, but ls rescued. Quest clears him self of the murder charge, but falls to trap Craig. In his rooms another black box appears in the rifled safe and, return tog- the diamonds a second time, the ac companying note tells him he has no chance against the inherited cunning af ages. SEVENTH INSTALLMENT THE HOUSE OF MY8TERY. CHAPTER XVI. Something In the nature of a con ference waa proceeding in Quest's study. The professor was there, seat ed in the most comfortable easy chair, smoking .without relish one of his host's best cigars, watching with , nervous impatience the closed door. Laura and Lenora' weiro Boated at the table, dressed for the street. They had' the air of being prepared for nome excursion. Quest, realizing the professor's highly strung state, had left him alone for a few moments and waa studying a map of New York. The latter, however, waa too ill ?; ease to keep silent for long. "Our friend French," he remarked, "gave you no clue, I suppose, as to the direction In which hie investigations are leading him?" Quest glanced np from the map. ' "Nobe at alL I know, however, that ? ffie boaae tn which Lenora here was confined ia being watched closely." The professor glanced across to ward the table before which Lenora waa seated. "? seems strange," he continued", "that the young lady Should have so little to tell us about her Incarc?ra* Ith?.? Lenora shivered for a moment. ? "What could there be to tell." abo asked, "excapt that it waa all horrible, 'and that I felt .things-felt dangers which I couldn't describo." The professor gave vena to an Im patient little exclamation. "I am not speaking for fancies," he . persisted. "You had food brought to you, for instance. Could you never eeo the hand which placed lt inside your room? Could you hear nothing I of the footsteps of the person who brought lt? Could you not even sur-i mise whether lt were a man or a woman?" Lenora answered him with an evi dent effort. She had barely, as yet, recovered from the shock ot those awful hours. "The person who brought me th? food,** ehe said, "came at night-never In the daytime. I never heard any* thing. The most I ever saw was once -I happened to be looking toward the door and I saw a pair of hand? nothing more-setting down a tray.. I shrieked and called out I think that I almost fainted. When I found cour age though to look, there was nothing there but the tray upon the floor." The professor sighed as he turned away. . "It la evident, 1 am afraid." ho said, ' "that Miss Lenora's evidence will help no one. As nar expert In these affairs, ? Itt. Quest, does lt not seem to you that her Imprisonment was Just a lit tle purposeless? There seems to have been no attempt to harm her in any way? "Whoever took the rfsk ot abduct ing her," Quest pointed out grimly, "did lt for a purpose.- That purpose would probably have boen devel oped in course of time. However wo took at l*t Mr. Ashleigh, there waa c?ly ona man who must bav? been to get her out of the way, and .nan waa Craig, Here comes our id French, I have an idea that he aroeffclng' to tell us." ^ey glanced expectantly towards the door ah French entered. The in spector, .wno" was looking very spruce amt well brushed, wished them a gen good morning. His eyes rested and loo goat 'anon Laura, who ted, ?owever, unermselebs ot bia tte*. "Now. then, French." Quest began, as be returned his greeting, "take a cigar, make yourself comfortable lb j tosTchair and let us have your news. :Aa you soe, we ?lave obeyed orders. Wa are all ready to follow you any where." , ' "lt won't he to the end of the world, anyway,", the Inspector remarked, as he 1ft als ?gar. *T am going to pro ;jefifc a little excursion down Gayson avenue way." "Back tojftat houser' Lenora ex i claimed with a grimace. Tba Inspector nodded. "We hare had. those boya at the OPPENHEIM COpwi?HT tgiS ons r U/UOD me Name, produced by the Universal urin;: Company. i elation," he went on, "and we have ! questioned them carefully. It aeems that after they had picked up thc ball, a man came out of tho side entrance of the house, saw them reading Miss Lenora's message, and shouted after them. Tho boys had sense enough to scoot. The man ran after them, but had to give lt up. Herc is their description of him." Tho inspector took a piece of pa per from his pocket. They all waited breathlessly. "Had to drag this out of the boys, blt by blt," thc inspector proceeded, "but boiled down nnd put into reason able language, this Is what-lt comes to: A man of medium height, rather thin, pale, and after running a short. distance ho put his hand to his heart, as though out of breath. Ono of tho boya tb .ight hlH noBe was a little hooked, and they both re marked upon the fact that although he shouted after them, he used no swear words, .but simply tried to ln duco them to stop. This description suggest anything to you, gentlemenX" "Craig," Lenora said firmly. "It is a very accurate inscription of Craig," Sanford Quest agreed. The professor looked troubled, also a little perptexdd. He said nothing, however. , "Under these circumstances," tho Inspector contlnuod, "I have had tho house watched, and I proposo that wo now search lt systematically. It Is very possible that something may transpire to help us. O? course, my men went through lt roughly when we brought Mies Lenora away, but that wasn't anything of a search to count, If the place really bas becomo a haunt of criminals." "What about the ownership of tho house?" Quest asked, as he took up his hal. 'The inspector nodded approvingly. ."! am making a few Inquiries tn that direction," he announced. "I ex pect, to have something to report very shortly." The professor stood drawing on his gloves. Tho vaguo look of trouble still lingered in his face. "Tell me again," be-beggedi-"the name of the avenue In which this res idence is situated?" "QayBon avenue," the inspector re plied. "It's a bit out of tho way, but it's not a bpi neighborhood." The professor repeated the'address to himself softly. For a moment ho stood quite still. His manner, showed signs of growing anxiety. Ho seemed to be trying to remember something. "The name," he admitted finally, as they moved towards the door, "sug gests to me, I must confess-wo aro going to see the house. Inspector?" "We are on our way there now, slr i -that ls If the young ladles are will ing?" he added, glancing at Laura. "We've been walting here with Our hats on for the last halt hour," Laura The Whole Staircase Suddenly Began to Revolve. replied promptly. "You've stretched your ten minutes oat ;some. Mr. .French." ' The inspector maneuvered to let tha others pass on, and descended the stairs -by Laura's side. "Couldn't help it," ho confided? lowering his tone a little. "Had tt,ine Information In about that honse ! couldn't quito size up. You're looking Wall this morning. Miss Laura.' "Say, who are you gttyingT'" she re plied. ' I mean St," the inspector persisted, "That hat seem? to suit Lacra laughed at the ?dp Of voice. Dor?, "Ute Inep?ctor here's setting np aa a judge of millinery!" Lenora turned and looked at them hoth with an air o' black astonish ment. The inspects wak a little em barrassed. "No need to give me away like that," he muttered, as they reached the hall. "Now then, Isdiea and gentlemen, If yen arc ready." They took their places In the au i tomoblle and drove off. As they I neared the vicinity of Gayson avenue the professor began to show signs of renewed uneasiness. When they drew up at last outside the house he gr.?c a little" exclamation. His face was grave, almost haggard. "Mr. Quest," he said, "Inspector French, I .deeply regret that I have a statement to make." They both turned quickly toward him. The Inspector smiled in a con fidential manner at Laura. It was obvioua that be knew what was com ing. "Some years ago," the professor continued, '-fl bought this house and made a present of lt to-" "To wh-'Tn?" Quest asked quickly, "To my servant Craig," tho profca sor admitted with a groan. Lenora gave a little cry- She turned triumphantly towards tho inspector "All recollection as to its locality had escaped me/' the professor con tlnuod sorrowfully. "I remember timi lt was on the ?univenary of his hav lng boon with me for .some flftcer years that V decided to show hin some substantial mark of my appro elation. I knew that he was looking for a domicile for' his father ant mothor, who are since both dead and I requested a house agent to som me in a list of suitable residence? This, alas' was the one I purchased.' Quent glanced around the place. "I think." he said, "that the profe* {tor's statement now removes an; doubt as to Craig's guilt. You ar sure the bouse has been closel; watched, Inspector?" "Since I received certain informs tion," French replied, "I have ho half a dozen of my best men in th vicinity. I can assure you thst n one bas entered, or left lt during th last twenty-four hours." They made their way to the platt steps and entered by the front doo The house was an ordinary fraroi work ono of moderate size, in poor r pair, and showing signa of great ne; lect. The room a were- barely fu ,n!shcd and their first cursory sesrc revealed no traces of habitatlo There was still the broken skyligl In .the room which Lenora bad occ pied, and tho bed upon which sho hi slept was still crumpled. Frene who had been tapping the walls dow stairs, called to them. They troopt down into the ball. The inspect was standing before what appeared '.be an ordinary panel. "Look herc," he said, glancing o of the corner of his,eye to be su that Laura was there, "let me she you what I have just discovered." He felt with hla thumb for a april In a moment or two a portion of tl wall, about two feet in extent, stow revolved, disclosing a small ci board fitted with a telephone insti ment. "A telephone," the lnsper-'or i marked, pointing to lt, "in an iinoci pied house and a concealed ct board. What do you think of that The professor shook his bead. H ; t'Don't ask me," ho grained. French took" the receiver from rest abd called up the exchange. "Inspector French speaking," announced. "Kindly tell me what the number of the telephone fn which I am speaking, and who ia 1 subscriber?" He listened to the reply and asl another question. "Cap you tell me when thia inst ment Was last used? . . . Wh< .... Thank you!" The Inspector hung up the receh "The subscriber's name," he t them dryly, "ls Brown. The nura is not entered in the book, by quest. The telephone waa used hour ago from a call office and c nectlon was established. That ls say, that someone spoke from I telephone." "Then if your men have malntsl their search properly, that aomeot Quest sall slowly, "roust. be In house at the present moment" "Without a doubt," the lnspet agreed. "I am going to search the ft room' on tho first floor . afore we anything else," s?id Quest "I tl thkt If you watt here I may be aol show you something directly." Quest ascended the stairs ind t6red a wholly unfurnished room the left-hand aide. Ile looked fe minute contemplatively at a large rather ?hallow cupboard, the doo ?Vblch atood open, and tapped Hg with his forefinger upon the back of .it. Then he withdrew a few; and. drawing out hie revolver, d apately fired into the floor., a lachea inside. There was a ! stifled cry.- The.false back? sudd swung open and a man rushed Quest's revolver covered him, th?t? was no necessity for its t. mot bored with dust, his wfflt* ns r. piece of. marble, even jaw shaking with fear, was wi unarmed. Tie seemed, in fact lu able of any form of resistance. "Wa?k out of the room," Qua* deredV "la front of me-so! tum to tho rfght and go down stalra.M They all gave a little cry aa ar. * trembling, p! Kneing eround Uk He commence He Wa* Weari hand. French watted in the hall be low, also armed. Laura gripped Le nora's ann in excitement. "They've got him now!" ehe ex claimed. "Got him, eure!" / On tho fourth or fifth stair Crois hesitated. He suddenly saw the pro fessor standing below. He gripped tho banisters with ono band. Tin other he fi?ing out In a threatening gesture. "You've given me away to these bloodhounds!" he cried-"you, fo; whom I have tolled and slaved, whon: I have followed all over the world whom I have scrvod faithfully will the last breath of my body and tilt last drop of blood in my veins! Yo? have brought them hero-tracked nu down!' You!" Tho professor shook his head scr row fully. ' "Craig," he said, "you have bea the beat servant man .ever had. I you arc innocent of these crimes yoi can clear yourself. If you oro gull': a dog's death ls none too good foi ;/ou." Craig seemed to sway for a momcn upon his feet. Only Lenora, from tb hall, saw that he WOB fitting his rlgh foot into what seemed to be a leatti er loop linnging from the banlsteif Then a wild shout ot surprise brok from the lips of all of them, followc by a moment of stupefied wonda The whole staircase suddenly bega to revolve. Craig,, clinging to tb banisters, disappeared. In a momcn or two there was a fresh click. At other set of stairs. Identical to th first, hud taken their place. "The cellar!" Quest shouted, as h rushed down the stairs. "Quick!" They wrenched open the woode door and hurried down the dark step into tho gloomy, unlit cellar.. TB pince was crowded with ipsckingcasc snd two large wine barrels stood 1 tho corner. At the farther end wi a door. Quest rushed for lt and stoo guard. A moment later, however, Y called to Laura and pressed his r volver into her hand. "Stand there," he ordered. "Shoi him if he tries to run out. I'll sear< In the packing cases. He might 1 dangerous." The professor, out of breath, wi leaning against ono of the pillar his arm passed around lt for suppoi Lenora, with Quest and Frone searched hastily amongst the packlt cases. Suddenly thero was a lot crack, the sdund of falling masonr followed by a scream from Laur French, with a roar of anger, rush* toward her. She was lying on h side, already half covered by failli bricks and masonry. He dragged h sway, just in time. "My God, sbe'ri. fainted!" he < tlalmed. "I haven't," Laura faltered, tryli to open her eyes, "and I'm not gol; to, but I think roy arm's broken, a my side hurts." - "The fellow's not down here, ai way." Quest declared. "Let's help h npstslrs and- got her out of tl devil's bott: o." They .supported her up the. ste and found a chair for her in tho hi The Inspector Swung open the te phone cupboard and called for an a bulance. Thon Quest, who had be examining tho staircase, suddei gave a little exclamation. "He's dono ns!" he cried. "Lo here. French, this is the original ntl ease. There's the leather loop, know lt because thero was a crack ia's fourth stair. When wo rust down tho cellar after him, ho ?wu the thing rounA again and sim; walked out of tho front door. Dal it, man, lt's oren!'1' They hurled ou'.fltdc French, bl |tls whistle One of the plajn-clotl men came running up from the a nue. He waa looking a little she leh. "What's wronft" French derna ed. ( "He's gone off," was tho unwin reply. "I guess that chap's- given the slip." "Speak up." Frenct/nslstcd. "Tho only place," the roan went "wo hadn't our eyes glued on \ tho front dcor. He must hsve co c'ait through that. There's been motortruck, with one or two qui looking chaps in I* at tho corner the avenue there for the. Igst ten fl otes. I'd just made up my mind stroll round and see. what lt was to When Jim., who waa on tho ot side, shouted out. A roan jumped fii'l? it and they made, off ?at once Tho inspector's rubicund cou as white with fury! His h ?n the direction of La' professor Craig's Clothes, long a? I live." ho declared, "III have that fellow before I'm through!" CHAPTER XVII. The professor roused himself from what had apparently been a very gloomy reverie". , "Well," he announced, "I niUBt go home. Ii has been very kind of you, Mr. Quest, to keep, mo hero for so long." Queat glanced* nt the clock. "Don't hurry. Mr. Ashleigh," ho said. "Wo marget sonic news nt any moment. Freuen lins a dozen men out on thc search and ho has prom leed to ring me up immediately ho hears anything." ^ The profc8sor5fc1gh.ed. "A man," ho., declared, "who for twenty years c?prdccelvo his master so utterly and completely as Craig han dor.? mo, who is capable of such diabolical c-.itr.i^^s, and who, when capturo clares Ulfn in tho face, ls capab!o or a i ermatte, such ns he mado today, is c - iri.i . tho laws of prob* ability. PcrEonaJly, I do not believe that I shall evcr^again see tho faco cf my servant, any moro than that you, Quest, willff*ntirely solve tho mystery of these'murders and tho theft of tho Rheinholdt Jewels. What can we do against men who have re volving staircases and trolloy-loads of river pirates .waiting for them? You may be a scientific criminologist, Quest, but that fellow Craig ls a scientific criminal,' If ever there waa one" Qnest crossed the^-room towards his cigar cabinet, and ^enod it. His little start' waa apparcntj'\? both of thom. Lenora laid down ?pe bag which sho had Juflt lifted upx"" Tho professor leaned forward In-his chair. ^ " "WhaTls "if,: QueSP"' hXdemandoYL Qnest stretched ont his hsnd and picked up from tho .-top of tho cigars a small black box! . He laid it on tho table. "Unless I am very*much mistaken," he said, "it is another commcnlcatlon from our mysterious triend." "Impossible!" the professor ex claimed hoarsely. "How can ho have been herc?** Le nora cried.. Quest removed tho-lld from tho box and drew out ss circular card. Around the outside edge was a very clever pen and ink sketch of a life buoy, and Innide tb* margin were several sentences o&elear handwrit ing. In the midd raptan the signa ture-the clenchedJaHknds! Quest read the message al^Kfr, In the great schsMK?f things, the 8upreme Ruler of "JP* universe di vided an inheritance amongst his children. To one her gave power, to another strength, to another beauty, but to his favorite he gave cunning. Tliey all looked at one another. "What does lt mean?" Lenora Stuped. "A lifebuoy!" tho professor mur mured. They both stared at Quest, who re mained silent, chewing bard at the end of his cigar. * "Every message," he said, speaking half to. himself, "bas bad some sig nificance. What docB thin mean-a lifebuoy?" He was silent for a moment. Then he turned suddenly to the professor. "What did you cull those men in the motortruck, professor--river pirates? And a lifebuoy! Walt." Ile crossed the room, towards his desk and returned with a list in his hand. Ho ran his finger down it, stopped and glanced ht tho date. "Tho Durham/.' ho muttered, "cargo cotton, destination Southampton, sails at high tido on .the K>th." Len?ra, la that calendar right?" "It's the lfltb. Mr. Qi?cst," she an swered. Quest crossed tho room to the telo phone. "I want number one, central." he said. "Thank you! Put m* through to Mr. French's office. . . . Hello. Frenen! I've got an iddh,.. Can you edme round here at onco and bring iii automobile? I want to get down to thc docks-not whero the passen r:er litcamors idart from-lower down. , . : Good! We'll'walt/' Quest hung up the receiver. ^j-fSee here, profesor," ho cciiitlnuecii "that fellow Wouldn't daro Jo send thia ote ssa ge if he weren't 'TMMH?IH| of get Ung off. Ho'? wte.de ?-.ll 1 plan? beforehand,, but It's my belief we sholl JUEt got our bands upon'dm, rico <?.?t M . r.r. : >.{?h npp<la'r*d,' ' "Then we're got to make traese,** be doclarod. "and pretty quick too. She'll bo starting from somewhere about number twenty-eight dock, a long way down. Come along, gentler ! men ' They hurried out to tho automobile and started off for the docks. The latter part of their Journey was ac complished under difficulties, for the street was packed with drays and heavy v?-klclos. They reached dock number twenty-eight at last, how ever, and hurried through the shed on to the wharf There were- no signs ot a steamer there. t "Where's tho Durham?" Quent asked one ol the carters, who was just getting his team together. The man pointed nut to the middle of river, where a sinai! Btcamor was lying "There abo is," he replied. "She'll bo off In a few minutes. You'll hear tho olrons directly when they begin to move dowu." Quest led tho way quickly to the edge of tho wharf. There was a s^ail.tug there, the crew of which we. > Just making hjr fast for tho night. "Fifty dollars if you'll tako us out to tho Durham and catch her bet?re she 6nlls." Quest shouted to tho man who seemed tv bo tba captain. ? They clambered down the Iron lad der and jumped on lo thc deck ot tho tug. The captain BClxOd ibo wheel. The two men who formed the crow took off their coats and waistcoats. "Cive it to her, Jim," the former or dered. "Now tin a, here goes! We'll just miss tho ferry." They swung around and commenced thoir Journey. Quest stood with his watch in his hand. They wcro getting up tho anchor of the Durham and from higher up tho river came tho scrcecn of stearne -a beginning to move on thoir outward way. "We'll make lt nil right," thc cap tain assured them. I They wero within a hundred yarda of thc Durham when Quest gave a lit tle exclamation. From the other side of the steamer another tug shot* out. ] away, turning back towards New York. Huddled up In tho stern, *hnlf j concealed in a tarpaulin, wns a man I In a plain black suit Quest, with u littlo shout, recognized the man at the helm from his long, brown beard? "That's one of those fellows who was in the truck." he declared, "and that's Craig in tho Btern' Wo'vo got him this time. Say, captain, lt's that tug I want. Never mind about tho steamer. Catch lt and I'll mako it a hundred dollarB?" "We've got lier!" he captain ex claimed. There's tho ferry and tho first of the steamers coming down In tho middle They'll havo to chuck lt.' Right ahead o< thom, biasing with lights, a liufjC ferry carno churning their direction. OA the other sido, Quest Stood on Guard, unnaturally large, loomed up the great bows of an ocean-going steamer. Tho tug wac atvung round and they ran up alongside The man with the beard leaned over. ' Say. what's your trouble?" he de manded The'Inspector stopped forward. "I want that man you've got under the tarpaulin." ho announced, "Bay, you ain't \hc river police?" "I'm -Inspector Preach from hoad quarters," was tho curt reply. "The sooner.you hand ulm over, tho better for you." ."Do you hear, that, O'Toolo?" thc other remarked, taming around. "Get up, you blackguard!" A man roso from underneath tho oilskin. He wa?, wearing' Craig's clothes, but his face was the face of a stranger. Aa quick as.lightning Quest swung round ?IC Wsi .br?ce.^? 'Me's fooled t. us c?ulnsf.".. he ex \ WEATHER FORECAST I Generally fair; moderate northwest winda. TI?e Intenigenref COTTON HARKET I>oeal Cotton.A lUc VOLUME H. ANDERSON. S. C. TUESDAY MORNING, MAY tl. 1915. NUMSER lt?f fl ?a ?asa?. * ?i?". ?.