, < sai“orsrvss KJa* Quiet Que»t «BOVM to Eoslaod „ block txixrj&srfflrassft c-c'.xnd. onlr to Aafl thot Cnox hoa onln ■»»»«■ NINTH INSTALLMENT CHATTER XX. LOST IN LONDON. QbMt, ootvllhstuSlns the oduouoI iioture of Us mnoundlr^s. ctept thot alcht as ootjr a tired ore baaRky man

•■Breakfast is aerretf at nine o air. It is bow half-past el*ht - •m be rtyhl there.The oian vlthdrev and Quest made a brisk toilet The naatTiaas tears of the prottout night had altogether dla-

st retched out bis hand to take a handkerchief from his satchel. A sodden exclamation broke from his Ups. He stood for a moment as though turned to stone. Beuire him, oe the top of the little pile of white cambric, was s small black bos! With a aorement of the Angers which was almost mechanical. he removed the lid and drew oat the customary little scrap of Taper. He smoothed It oot before him so the dressing case and read the message: » "Too will fail here ms you have railed before Better go back. There is more danger for yon la this country than yon dream of." ills teeth cam* fiercely together and hts b«pe« fMipe clenched- His thought.’ had gone like a Seat *o Lenora. Wa* it possible that barm was intended for her* He put the idea away from him almost as soon as conceived. The thing eras unimaginable. Craig was here. mus« be here. In the close vtNolty of the house. The atmosphere of the pleasant breakfast room to which Is doe course he descended, was rheerfol enough. Lady Aahlrlgh had already taken her Place at the bead of the table 8ha touched an electric bell under her foot and a moment or two later the tratlei appeared. "Uo up and aee how long your mas Ur wUl her Lady Aahlclgh directed. "Very good, your ladyship " The ttimn waa backlog through the doorway In his usual dignified manner shea he was suddenly pushed on one side. The valet who had waited upon Quest, and who waa Lord Aahlelgh s fwn servant, rushed Into the room. He almost shouted to Lady Ashlelgh: Your ladyship—the master! Something has happened! He won't move! They all trooped out of the room and up the stairs, the professor leading the way. They pushed ope* the door of Lord Aahlelgh s bedchamber In tha far corner of the large room waa the four-poster, and underneath the clothes a silent figure. The professor Uricd down the sheets Then be held out his hand Hla face. too.

"Julia, don't come." he begged. “I must know” she almost ah risked I must know!” "George is deed." the professor said •lowly. There waa a moment's awful alienee, broken by a piercing scream from Lady Ashlalgh. She sank down upon the •era, and the proteasor leaned over her. Quest turned to the little gronp of frightened servants who were gatb*red round the doorway. “Telephone for a doctor." he ordwed; “also to the local police ataUoe. "Ha too. approached the bed and r- vorenUy lifted the covering Lord Ashlelgh waa lying there, his body » little doubled up. hl» anna wide out-•'-retched. On his throat were two hlsrk marks. They bad led Lady Ashlelgh from f*» loom. The professor and Quret •food taoe to face. The former's esPreaslon. however, had lost all hla smuWa serenity His face waa white

■ almost s. whom 1 loved l rth’ U he real

As though Inspired with a idea, both Quest and tha profeasor hu^led out of the room and down the breed stairs. Their inspiration was a tree one. The gamekeeper welcomed them with a smile or triumph. By hla side, the picture of abject mls^ry. hla clothes torn and muddy, was Craig! Tee Imagined this little Job. sir." Middleton announced, with a smile of •low triumph. ^"How did you get him! "Little Idas f f my own.” the gamekeeper continued “I guwsed pretty well what he’d be up to. Ha'd tumbled to it that the usual way off the moor was pretty well guarded, and he'd doubled hack through the thin line of woods close to the house. I dog one of my poachers' pits. air. and covered It over with a lot of loose stuff. That gut him all right Whan I went to look this morning 1 saw where he'd fallen through, and there he was. walklug round and round at the bottom like a caged animal. Your servants have telephoned tor the police. Mr. Ashlelgh." Quest suddenly whispered to the profeasor. Then he turned to the keeper. “Bring him uiwt&lre. Middleton, for e momer.t," be directed "Follow us.

They passed into Quest signed to the keeper to bring Craig to the aide of the four-poster. Thru he drew down the sheet. "Is that your workT" be asked, sternly. Craig, up tin then, had spoken no word. He had siunabled to the bedside. a broken, yet. In a sense, a stolid figure. Ths sight of the dead mas. however, seemed to galvanise him Into sadden and awful vitality. He threw up bis arms. His eyes were horrible ss they glared at those small black marks His Ups moved bickwardi and forwards, helplessly at first. Then at last he rpokr “Strangled! “ he cried “One more!" "That Is your work," the criminologist said, firmly. Craig collapsed. Ho would hsve fallen bodily to tbo ground If Middleton's grip hsd not kepi him up. Qnest bent over him. It was clear that be had fainted. They lod him from the

room.

' We’d better lock him up until the police arrive" Quest suggested. ‘1 suppose there Is a safe place somewhere f Th> professor swoke from his

stupor.

"Let me show you." be begged- "I know the way. We've a sobterrarean hiding place w hich no criminal on this esrth could escape from ” They led him down to the back part of the house Into a dry cellar which had the appearance of e prison oeU. "This place has been used before now. In the old days, for malefactors." the professor remarked. "Hell be safe there. Craig.- be added, his voice trembling. "Craig—1—I cant speak to yea. How could you!” There was no answer. Craig's face was buned in his hands. They left him there end turned the key. CHAPTER XXL Quest stood, frowning, ueon the pavement, gating at the obviously empty house. He looked once more at too allp of paper which Lenora had given him There waa no possibility of any mlstaka: Mrs Willett

M the oak pillar seemed oo ths Hands to upon ted out. my Ood!“ the

117 _

Haeipataao. Thl* was 187 and the bouse was empty After a moment'# bealtatton ha rang ths bell at ths adjoining door. A woman, who had been watching him from the front room, anarcred the summons at once. "Can you taU ms. he inquired, "what has become of tbo lady who used to Uvs at 16T-Mre. WlUet?" • sna's moved." was the uncompromising reply•^Vyou know where tor Quest asked, eagerly "West Kensington —No. 17 Princess Court road. Tbsi» was a young lady here yesterday afternoon Inquiring for

her."

Quest raised bis hat. It waa • relief, at any rate, to have news of Lenora. "I am very mu.b obliged to you. '‘'"You'rs welcome'" waa the teres ro^Quest gave a new address to tbr uxl driver and was scarcely able to restrain tie Impatience during the loos drive They pulled up at last before a somewhat dingy looking bouse He renx the hell, wtteh was answered by » trtmdookug Httle mstdserv-nL “Is Mrs Wins* tnr he red.

her where I had There*# no aecret about me.' go up to 167 Kamere road yesterday.” Quest tola her. “They gave her your addreas here, as they have Just given K to 'The* what's become of the child r Mrs. Willet demanded. Quest whose brain quickly. cards the addreas of the hotel where ‘ i h-d taken

rer.

Why here I o ever. Hi go book to the hotel where she was to spend arrived. Bbe ssay have gone hack there. Thafs my sildrees. Mrs. WlOet. If you hoar anything f wish you'd let

friend of n

t and I am a little anx-

Quest had already opened the front door for himself and passed out. sprang into the taxi, which he kept waif tag. -Clifford's hotel in Payne street." he told the man. He Ut n cigar and smoked furiously all the way. throwing It on to the pavement as he hurried Into the quiet private hotel which a fellow passenger

being suitable tor Laaore'a one night •one In town. 'Can you tell me If Hiss Lenora 'iacdosgal to staying barer* he asked at the office. The woman shook her Lead. “Miss Maodougal stayed hare the night before last." ,abe said, “and her luggage to halting tor orders. She left here yeeterday afternoon to go to her aunt's, and promised to senu tor her things later on during the day. There they stand, an ready for her ” "What time did ahe go?" "Directly after an early lunch. It

last hurried away. So after an there was some foundation for this queer sense of depreuton which had been hovering about him for the last few days' "Bcotiand Yard." he tcid tha taxi

Craig Escapes Prom tha Cellar, amaxed at hla own wnsatloov. coo sell.os of fears and amotions of which he srould never have believed himself capable. He gave in hla card, end after a few moments' delay >e was shown Into the presence of one of (he chiefs of the detective department, who greeted him warmly. "My name U Hardawsy.” the latter announced. My sMlsunt. e young lady. Mies Lenmw Mscdougal. has disappeared! She and I and Professor Ashlelgh left the steamer at Plymouth and traveled up In the boat train. It was stopped nt Hamblin road for the professor and myself, and Mlsa Macdoi gal came on to London. She waa (laying at Clifford's ho'el In Payne street for ths night, and then going on to the sunt Well. I've found that aunt. She was expecting the girl, but the girl never appeared. “Where did this aunt tire?" Hardaway inquired "No. 17. Princess Court road. Went Kensington." Quest replied. "She bad Just moved there from Elsmere rued. Hampstead 1 went first to Hampstead.

aunt's correct addrese In West Kensington I followed on to West Kensington and found that the aunt waa still awaMtag her "

interest a emed

have crept into Hardaway's "Let me nee." he said, "if she toft lifford’a hotel ebout two. ahe would have been at Hampstead about half-

■tns probably left Hampstead for West Kensington, say. nt e quarter Give me nt once e description of the young lady.** he demanded.

pocket" end passed it sUeDtly oem "Mr. Quest." he aald, “tt to Just pos

"Come along with me," he continued. “WeH talk as we go.” They entered n text and drove off westwards. "Mr Quest." he went on. “for two on ths we have been on the track of a man and a woman whom ww rtrongiy suspect of having decoyed half a do sen perfectly respectable young women, and shipped them out to South "The whl'e slave traffic!" Quest

"Something of the sort,*' Hardaway admitted. "Well, we've been closing the net around this Interesting couple, last night I had latonnaUoa

It seems that they were sitting In a tea piaca about three o'clock yesterday afternoon when a young woman entered who waa obviously a stranger to Locdon You aee. the time fits In exactly. If your assistant derided to stop on her way to Kensington and get some tea. She asked the woman at the de>k the beat means of getting to West Ken-.Infton without taking a taxicab. Her description tallies axsctly with the photograph you have shown me. The woman whom my men were watching addressed her and offered to show her way. They left the place together. My men followed thorn. The house has been watched ever since and we are raiding It this afternoon. You and I will Just be in time" He stopped the cab and they got U A man who seemed to be strolling aimlessly along reading a newspaper suddenly Joined them. “Wrll, Dixon7" his chief exclaimedTha man glanced -round. "I've got three men round at the back. Mr Hardaway ~ ho said. "H‘a Impossible tor anyone to leave the laoe.” Hardaway passed to consider a molent. "Look here.” Quest suggested, they know all of you. of course, and the/11 •r let you in until they're forced I'm a stranger. Let me go. I'll get In all right" All right." he assented. "We shall follow you up pretty closely, though." Quest stepped back Into the taxi and gave tha driver a direction. When he emerged la front of the handsome gray •tone house be seamed to have become completely transformed. There waa a fatuous smile apon hla Ups. He crossed the pavement with difficulty, stumbling up the steps, and held on the knocker with one hand while be consulted a allp of paper. He had scarcely rung the bell before a slightly parted curtain In the front room fell together and a moment later the door opened by a man In the livery of a butler, but with the face and physlqup of a prize-fighter. . "Lady of thr bouse." Quest demand1. "Want to aee the lady of the Almost Immediately he was conscious of a woman standing In the hall before him. "Ton had better come In." ahe Invited. "Hesse do Dot stand In the

Quest, however, who bad heard the footsteps of the others behind him. loitered there for a moment "You're the lady eboae name to oa this piece of paper?" he demanded "This place to all right, eh?" "I t sally do act know whav you mean." the woman replied oold!y:"t jt If you will come Inside I will talk with you In the drawing room." Quest, as though stumbling against the from door, had It a « wide open, and In t moment tha hall seemed full

mg upon the last man to eater sad seat him spinning bown the •tape. Almost at that Instant there waa a scream from u petal re Quest took a running Jump and went up the stairs four at a time. The butler, who had so far defied arrest, suddenly •Matched the revolver from Hardaway's hand and fired blindly In front of him, missing Quest only by an Inch or two. “Don't be a fool, Karl!- the woman called out “The games up Take It quietly." Once more the shriek rang through the house Quest rushed to the door of the room from whence it came, t the beadle, end found It locked. He tub heck a Utils way sad charged It. From inside be could hoar a turmoil of voices. Whitt with rage and paai ho pushed and kicked madly. Thar# was a shot from inside, a bullet came through the door within an Inch of his heed, thee the crash of broken crockery and a men's groan. With e final effort Qeaat dashed the door In and

was standing ta the far corner, the front of her drees torn end blood upon bar Ups She held e revolver In her hard, and waa envering head gad hands were bMsdlng. Around him were (he debris of a broken Jag. •Hr. Quest!" she screamed "Don't go near him—Tvs got him covered. I bs all riiht.Qcart drew a long breath. The man who stood glaring at him waa well dressed and still young. He waa unarmed. however, and Quest secured him In a moment. “The glrl'a mad!" he said sullenly. “No one wantafi to do her any harm." Hardaway and hla men came trooping up the stairs. Quest relinquished his prisoner and went over to Lenora “I've tucu so frightened.” she sobbed "They got me In here—they toll me that this was the street In which ray aunt lived—and they wouldn't let me go. The woman wi horrible. And this came. The brute!' Quest turned •Til take the eald. "You know I-cnora had almost recovered when they reached the hotel. Walking up and down they found the professor. My friend!" he exclaimed—"Mr. Quest! It to the devil Incarnate against whom we fight!" "What do you mean?" Quest demanded. The professor wrung hU hands. “X pot him In our James II prtshe declared. “Why should ! think of the secret passage? No one baa used It for a hundred years. He found It. learned the .trick—" "You mean." Quest cried— "He has escaped!" the professor broke In. "Craig has escaped again! They are searching for him high and low. but be has gone!" Quest's arm tightened for a moment In Lenora'a It was curioue how he have lost at that moment all .sense of proportion Lenora was •afe . the relief of that one thought overahadowed everything else ' i the world. “The fellow can't get far." be mutired. “Who knows?" the professor replied. dolefully. They had been standing together In little recess of the kalL Suddenly Ignore, whose face was turned toward the entrance doors, gave a little cry. She took a quick step forward. “Laura!" ahe exclaimed, wonderIngly. “Why. It'a Laura!" They all turned around. A young woman had Just entered the hotel, followed by a porter carrying tome luggage Her arm was in a sling and there waa a bandage around her forehead She walked, too. with the help of a -tick. She recognised them at oare and waved It gayly. "Hullo, you people!' ahe cried. "Boob ran you to earth, eh?" They were for a moment dumfounded Lenora waa the first to find words. 'But whan did you start, l-auru?" she asked. 1 thought you were too III to move for weeks." The girl smiled contemptuously "* *-ft three days after yee Frederic.' ahe replied, was,some trouble at IM/mouth. sad

morning, and here I am. Bay. before we go any further, tell Re about 0*1,- - "We've had him." Quest confUascd. "and lost him again He escaped last night." "Where from?" Laura asked. "Hamb! in house." “Bay. is that anywhere near the south coast?" the girl demanded excitedly “It'a not far away" Quest replied, quickly. "Why?" "H1 tell you why." Laura explained “I was as sure of It as anyone could be. Craig parsed me in Socthamptoa water this morning being rowed out to a steamer. Not only theil but he recognised me. I saw him draw hack and hide his face, but aomebow I couldn't believe that It was really he. I waa Just coming down the gangway and I nearly fed Into the sea, I was •o surprised." Quest was already turning over the pages of tha timetable.

T found out." Laura told him. “I tell you. I waa ao sure of it's being Craig that I made no end of Inquiries. It was the Barton, bound for India, first stop Port Said.” "When does she sail?" Quest asUd Tonight—somewhere about aeven." Laura replied Quest glanced at the clock and threw down the ttmetaMt.. He turned toward the door. They all followed ampton." be entry to get on board that Lenora. you'd better go upstairs and He down. Theyll give you a room here. Don't yoa stir out till I come beck. Professor, what about you?" “1 shall accompany you." the pro*sor declared. "And nothing." Lenora declared, firmly, at she caught at Quest's arm. “would keep me away." 'Til telephone to Scotland Yard. In case they care to send a man down." Quest decided They caught a train to Southampton. where they were Joined by a man from Scotland Yard. The Httls party drove as quickly ss possible to the docks. "Where does the Barton start from?" Quest ssked the plern.aster. The man pointed out a little way >wn the water. “She'a not In dock, sir." he said. “She's lying oot yonder. You 71 barely catch her. I'm afraid." ha added, glancing at the clock They hurried to the edge of the say. "Look here." Quest cried, raising Is voice, 'Til give a ten-i-ouod note to anyone who gets me oot to the Barton before she sails " The little party were almost thrown Into a tug. and lo a few minutes they were skimming across the smooth water. Juat as they reached the steamer, however, ahe began to move "Run up alongside." Quest ordered The captain came down from the bridge, where he had been conferring with the pilot"Keep away from the side there." he shonted. "Whc are youT We are In search of a desperate criminal whom wc believe to be on

Quest Secures Him In a Moment, board your steamer." Quest explained ''Please take oa on board Tho captain ahook his head. "Are you from Bcotiand Yard?" be iked “Have you got your warrant?" "Wc are from America." Quest an swered. "but »•>• got a Buotland Yard man with us and a warrant right enough" Tha captain ahrok his head. T am over an hour late.' be Mild, and it'a costing me any pounds • minute If 1 take yoe on board, youll have to come right along with roe. uu you find the fellow before «.*>.■ left your tub behind" Queet turned around "Will you riek It?" he asked "Tee!" they all replied "We're coming, captain." Quest dr elded A rope ladder was let down Th» steamer began to slow down. The captain spoke once the pilot and bridge. Tm forced !o go full speed ahead croae tbe bar." he told Queri I n. eorry. but the tide's j«et on the turn They looked at one another « Httle blankly. The professor, however, beamed upon _ ivo always understood. Port 'lace.' (TO

FOUND THE MISSING BROOCH Loser of Jewel Went to Work in Her Own \V*y, ana It Turned Out Splendidly. DKectivs work, following faint clues, dark him* and the like, is not the only method by which robberton may bo aolvod. The wife of a proml • cent officer In the marine corps, who resides In UaHtmorc and has a coun try place la Virginia. Is authority fur the statement, and offers the follow tag little story ta proof of her contention. It seems that while she was at her Virginia place, the one day mimed from her Jewel box a valuable dia-

searcb high and low for the trinket, but it could not be found. Ail of her servants except one bad been with i her for years, and were abaotataiy trusted by her. Ths one excepttaa. a mulatto girt, persistently urged upon her mistress the possibility at the brooch being at her Baltimore town house. " Tain't eroued heeh. Ills' Alice" (net the real come of the mistress, of course). T know del It ain’t eroued heeh." persisted tbe girt. Whatever suspicions the mistress may have had she kept to hereeK. After a while she returned to Baltimore. bringing her servants with her. "Is you found It. Mis’ Alice?" asked the mulatto girt, after a seared at the bouse had been concluded. Her m'.streaa ebook her head. i "No," said aha " I have not found It, Mary, butt" lowering her voice and speaking Impressively. T have no cause to worry." "Ain't you?" inquired the girt. “No," continued her mistress. "Yea sec. I went to a fortune teller today. She told me that whoever had the diamond would die shortly, and that the • • brooch would 1>« found among their effects. I only have to wait for their - death to know who took my brooch." { "Mth gracious!" breathed the mulatto girt. "Did dat voodoo woman ' say dat?" "Bbe did.” replied her mistress, solemnly. The mulatto girl pracipltantly departed. and. rtrangely enough, her mistress found the missing brooch that very night pinned to one of her MtoRg.

Pay Day In the Trenches.

Ths pay department of the British army now employs nearly 700 officers and about 7,00(1 ck-rks. This 1s nearly ten times as many people as were required for tbe work ta limes at peace. Tha bousing of the constantly growing aiaff of tbe pr master s office one of the first difficulties, and the London main office has movad

o since the war begun. It has taken to adding private Ita off ci- ares M^ch oi tt

since the first of August U» whole army pay organise Una has worked dayi

and night

Tbe soldier receives hts pay. If bo wishes it. not only at the front but even ta the trenches. Tbe cash, la French currency notes, to Issued by bis company officer in the field, and la acuo.ntcd for on ths eo-csll-cl "soqua 1 .t.tince rolls.*' Kvery soldier carries his jay book right through tho war As far as possible hu Is paid weekly. Men In lb«F' advanced rtnehrs draw their pay almost as If they were In the barracks ut home. - “Crtslt Le Rol!* The more exhibition of himself to le men in the trenches Is not enough for King Albert of Bel.ilum. He fights as his men fight, and he taovea about among them without ths brilliantly uniformed staff or bodyguard that traditionally aun* s the king. Hero to a story, rli ,.ng with tbo clear note of Imperishable romance: It to told by a Belgian soldier In' the Nlcuwe Rotterdammer Con rant: "1 was ta the trench, and my broth-er-in-law was nome yards from me. Between us there wss a tall officer without arms, and silent. Suddenly « shell burst near us. My brother Id*' U l wss struck by a splinter, snd fell bosp at my aide The tall officer took up the ride and continued the shooting. Then he slowly left ths trench. His extraordinary calm struck 1 ceased to (Ire and turned to him. He also turned tc me. . . Mon Dieu! C'etait le Rol!” (It was the ktag.1—Youth's Companion.

Ufcdjr

buusTpatfta riuiV ^

f

w Whitcomb Riley, which has ' been carried on for almost a year in connection with the preparation of Oyk first complete collection of his works in prose and poetry, hss brought to light a great mass of mstnluj of which little oi* nothing was pr.-rlouely known. More than two huudr<-d Dlth erto anpubllshi-U poem* were tltocoversd One of the most typlcsl Of tho 1 Hoostor ioet's works dating hfi'k to I the earlier days of his career 1* an III lumlnaird manuscript o! a poem entitled "Man's U-voilon " Aaot—r loI teresting find wss u l«by book con | Ulnlbg picture* of to» (hlld fr-ends j of the poet. He wrote s poem u> each of the llttlo portraits Asleep Indeed. From iho French irencht * ta Alsace conic* s tale of s soldier who swoke ! one morn lug s/ter a boom! slrop. rompin'ued of a cramp In his thigh, and paid that he could not get op At Oral his superiors Inslstad that hr uo s'v hut ss hr MeadCasi!) n-fuard. tln-y ! , OII| for n doctor. Hse latter found . thal a bulb-t hsd romt through tbs I roof of the sold ISC's -teller during th. night snd had lodged In hi* thigh tt

ray.--I