P^HACK gByBOX E.PhiHips Q)pcnh«m

rord Qunt. piaMrr rrlmlnoloclM of —'* nnd» that In bnnmi>« to Ju*-

^rdor^r of Cora

i'o <».. irtiirr, hr ho but Ju*t hr-fp-ond-o ulti :truBCtr with • mymotrr <-nmlnol. !o a MrtO-i. ' mr Aahlrlch'a nrttin hr haa rlrton and a llvloc crratorr. half man, iWlmj-rd h\ fltr. i havr anprarrd blart hour*

tlor **»• AahJrtch nm a Of. u> l*rofr, m

»a«B ban BMNNM

tanta. suaprrt Crate. I hr prpfroor'r arrv - •Hi. of a doubt* murdrr Thr hi ark boars coot tour to aporar in u branny fashion. Owe. trapprtf raesprs to Rnvland Qoiat. Uaoora and the professor follow fete. Lord Ashlrteh la murdrrod by thr hands Crate, raptured, aomprs to Port Bald. Qurst and hi# party foMow. uad brfeVWf tBU thr daaart. Thry arr captured by Monsara. rwcapr with Cralc aa tbdr

; FOURTEENTH INSTALLMENT . A BOLT FROM THE BLUE. CHAPTER XXXl. Tbrro was a peculiar, almort forefeodinc mUoaee about the camp that morel nr when Idiura ratumrd from bar early ride. The only Hrin* person to be eecn was the Chinaman, slttlnr on a stool In front of the wagon with • dtah of potatoes between his knees. “Bay. where's everyoneT" l-aura aac* out. after she had looked into Le- -. Bora's tent and found It empty. * The Chinaman looked up at her ■aleyolently “Ali *one." he announced. "Cowboys gone worker Misaec gone hurry op end Mr. Quest.” taura hesitated, puzzled Just then the professor came cantering In with a bundle of grans la b's hand. He gianred down at the Chinaman. “Good morning. Miss Laura!” he said. "You don't seem to be (retting oa with our friend here." he added in aa undertone “Pshaw!" she answered. "Who eana what a chink thinks! The fellow's an idiot. I'm worried, profeaaor Laoorm's gone out after Mr. Quest and the inspector 8he wasn't Bt lo ride I cant make out why ahe's i. Aelf i”Ms shoulder and rased steadily southward. “It is just possible." he said, aoftly. “that she may hare recelrrd a warn ing of that." He pointed with his forefinger l-aura peered forward There was something which aeemid to be Just a faint cloud open the horizon. The professor handed her his glasser “Why. It's a fire”' she cried. The professor nodded “Just a prairie fire.” he replied— “rery dangerous, though, these dry •easons The flames move ao quickly that If you happen to be In a certain position you might easily be cut off " Lnura turned her horse round “Come on. prolessor'" she rxelalmril "That's what il la l-cnora's gone to try and w arn the others " They rode to the very edge of the tract of country which was temporarily enveloped In smoke and flame Here they pulled in tlulr horse* and the professor loo'.ed thoughtfully through hi* field glass*-* l.aur* gave a little cry and pointed With her riding whip About Iwet yards fartbi-j on by the sine ot t goad, sas a small white object S Cantered on, swung berv* If from t horse and picked It up "Leuoru * handkerchnfshe crii The professor waved his arm we

ward

“Here come guest and the map tor. They arr making a circuit avoid the fire. The cowboy with «hi must bare shown them the way. Wi better burry up and find out If they seen anything of Mias l-enora ' They galloped across the rough country towsrvis Ihe III lie party, w ware Bow clearly in sight Prom the center of one of the but tag patches they saw a riderless bore* gallop out, slop for a moment with hla bead almost between his forelegs. Shake himself furiously and gallop blindly on again Laura would hare turned her horse, hat the professor checked her "la*t us wait for Quest." be advised Tb> cowboy, riding a little behind the twe others, bad uulimbered bu Ian#i ssimg 11 over bis In ad and sr

Quest did not wait for another word. He jumped a rough bush of scrub on Ihe right-hand aide, galloped ore* the ground, which was already hot with the coming fire, and fol'owed along down the road which Lenora bad passed. When be came to the first bend, he could hear the roar of flames In the trees. A volume of smoke almost blinded him; his horse became wholly unmanageable. .He slipped from the saddle and ran on. staggering from right to left like a drunken man About forty yards along the road, Lenora was lying In the dust. A volume of smoke rushed over her. The under which she hsd collapsed was already afire. A twig fell from it Quest staggered up. and her skirt began to smoulder He tore off his < wrapped It around her. beat out the fire which was already blazing at her feet and snatched her into his arms. She opened her eyes for a moment. "Where are we?” she whispered. “The fire!" "That's all right.'' Quest Shouted. "Weil be out of It In a moment. Hold tight to my neck." "Say. that was a close shave." he faltered. us he laid l-enora upon the ground. "Another five minutes—-veil, we won't talk abost IL Let's lift her on to year bone, Laura, and get back to the camp." CHAPTER XXXII. The professor laid dowr his book and gazed with an amiable smite towards Queat and Lenora. "1 fear." be remarked, dolefully, "that my little treatise on the fauna of the northern O.lnoro scarcely appeals to you. Mr. Queat." Quiet, w hose Si m was In a sling, but who was otherwise none the worse for his recent adventure, pointed out of the tent. "Don't you believe It. professor." he begged. "J'rc been listening to every word. But aay. Lenora, juat look at Laura and French!" They all three peered anxiously out of the opening of the tent. Laura and the Inspector were very slowly , approaching the cook wagon .taura was carrying a large bunch of fidvl'-ra, one of which she was In the act ofTmirnlo* 1° French a button-

hole.

"That fellow French haa got gtiL" Quest declared “He stt-ks to It all the time. Hell wi:. r*it with Laura In the end, you mar# my words.” "We've wired for them to meet Craig." Queat said, after a short silence i only hope they don't let him slip through their fingers. 1 haven't much faith in his promise to tun up at the professor's Let's see what Laura and French have to aay." "Can't see any tense In staying here any longer." was Fri-ncb's Immediate decision, "so long as you livalMs feel that you ran stick the Journey Besides, we're using these fellows' hospitality." They busted themselves for the next hour or two. r-aktog preparations. After their evening meal the two men walked with l-enorn and l-aura their tent. "I think you girls had better go beo.' Que*t surgesled. "Try and get a long night's sleep." 'That's all ver* well.'' French remarked. but It's only eight o'clock. What about a stroll, Misa Laura. Just up to the ridge?" Laura hesitated for a moment and glanced toward* Lenora. Please go." the latter begged, really don't feel like going to sleep Just yet.' ill look after 'o-nora." Quest promised. "You uavr your walk. There'# Urn professor sitting outvlde his tent. Wouldn't you like to take him with

you—

•oftly "How dared you suggest such thing'' she murmured to Quest. “ look at them The Inspector wants her to take his watch and she i quite make up her mind about It. Why. Lauras g< tltug poalllvely frivolous." When the Inspector n-tcrued Quest banded him a ty-U-gram To Inspector French. Allguez, N. M.f Very sorry. Craig ga.e us slip after Irewng depot Niece disappeared from address given. No clues at present. When ere you returning? French swore softly tor a momentThen be dropped into a chair This ' be declared is our unlucky

If only I could do aoinething for blm'" she murmured. "He's in some kind of trouble. 1 think." Mrs. Malory observed "He Is not what you might call Dies live person, but It's easy to see that he Is far from being happy in himself. You'll ring when you're ready. Miss Mary— The door was suddenly opened and Craig entered. "Look across the road." be begged. "Tell me If there is a man in a blue serge suit and a bowler bat. smoking a cigar, looking arrows here." Mrs. Malony and the girl both obeyed. The girl was the first to speak. "Yes." she answered. "He is looking straight at these windows." Craig groaned and sank down upon a chair. "Leave us. If you please, Mrs. Malony." he ordered. 'Til ring when I'm ready." The landlady left the room silently. The girl came over to her uncle and thre*- her arm around his neck. He patted her bead, felt In hla pocket* and drew <*H a little paper bag. from which he shook a bunch of violets, How kind you are to me!" she exclaimed. "You think of everything!" He sighed. “If I had had you for a little longer. Mary.” he said, "perhaps 1 should have been a better man. Go to the window, please, and tell me If that man is still there." She crossed the room with light footsteps Presently she returned. ‘He la Just crossing the street." she announced. "I think that be seems to be coming here.’’ Craig took the r.irl for a minute Into •'Good-by. dear," he eald. "I want you to take this paper and keep It carefully. You will be cared for always. but 1 must go." "But where must you go?" she asked, bewildered. i have an appointment at ProfesAshlelgh's." he told her. "1 cannot tell you anything more than that Good by. " He kissed her for a moment passionately. Tnen suddenly be tore himself away. 8lie heard him run lightly down the stairs. Some instinct led her to the back vindow. She saw blm emerge from the bouse and pass down the yard. Then sh> «*nt to the front. The man In the bite' serge w as talking to the landlady (plow. She sank Into a chstr. puzzled and unhappy, ilien she beard heavy fantsteps. The door wi opened Hfee man In the blue serge it entj^ed. followed by the protestsnse In coming here worry the young lady." Mrs Mai coy ■lared. Irritably. "As for Mr. Craig. I told you that he'd qone out." "Gone out. eh?" the man repeated, speaking In a thick, disagreeable tone. "Why. 1 watched him in here not ten minutes ago Now- then, young lady.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

laid the ho stood

"Your poor uncle looks as though i little peace would do him good." sh< remarked The *!ri sighed

gurss you'd better cough up the truth. Where's this precious uucle of yours?" "My uncle has gone out." the girf replied, drawing herself up. "He left five minutes ago." "What's that In your hand*" he de-

manded.

"Something my uncle gsve me be fore he went out." the girl replied. "I haven't looked at It yet myself " “Give It here.” he ordered She spread it out upon the table. "You may look at it if you choose.' she agreed ' My uncle did not tell me not to show it to anyone." They read it together The few lines seemed to be writ'en with great care. They took, indeed tbe form of a legal document, to which was affixed the m-bI of a notary and tb* name of a witness “I. John Craig, being about 1c r*» ceivt the just punishment for all ir.y sins, hereby bequeath to my n>ec*. Mary Carlton, all mone.e ;.nd propShe will find at this address | rsakS one condition only of n > bequeet. and I beg my niece u fervent I, rrsoect it. It >a that she never of ‘-er own convent or knowledge speak to anyone of the name of Ashleigh. 0 - ..-k .late JOHN CRAlO.

r ha' and coat on

r:,." r ■

111 whispered. In silence £ put on her hat and she drove with him to the i>ci!t eBatlon. where she was shown at onAnto the Inspector's office Tbe mV who had brought her whisper*d fA moment or hla chief anKanded blm the paper. Inspector pBch read It and whistled softly. P* took up the telephone by his side. "Bay yciJr something of here he Bmarked to the plainclothes triii.? Put me through to Mr Quest, pli* . he added, speaking Into the reillver. The two men whlrpered together. The girl »ole from her place and turned ov« rapidly tbe pages of a directory wtf-.h was on the round table before her. Jbc found the "A's" quick ly. Her ee fell upon the name of Ashleigh. She repeated the address to herself ind glanced around. The two men vrre still whispering. For the momec she was forgotten. She stole on tbloe across tbe room down the jione stepe and hastened into tbe efiet. CBAPTER XXXIV. The pTw'-ssor who was comfortably seatj In Quest's favorite easy chair, glaired at his watch and shook his bead "1 am tlrald. my friend." he said, "that Cra| » nerve has failed him voluntary iurrrndrr was perha|is too

boy Tier* was no answer required Tbe -ran retired Quest unfoMeu the »h*et of paper. His expression

suddeny changed.

"cosien!" be exclaimed.

Te Sasford Quest:

(alker your peopls in Professor

Amvi gh's library at ten o'clock t> nijrt I will be there and tell you my

story. JOHN CRAIG, tie piofeseor :-at for a moment

sp-icbless

■fhen be meant it. after all

efdalnaed at last.

"Seems like It." Quest admitted. "Ill jiat telephone to French " The prof ease- rose to hla feet. 1 nocked the tab from bis cigar, strug lied Into his coat and took up his hat rhen be waited until Quest had com tleied his conversation. The Istter'f face bad grown grave and puzzled 11 was obvious that he was receiving Information of some Importan- - Hr put down the Instrument at last will g curt word of farewell The j-eofessor moved towards thi door . . If only this ffcXY prove to be th.

J!" he sighed

J.est spent the next hour or so n rootless deliberation* There wen still many thing* which puzzled him At about a quarter past nice Lenora and l*uf* arrived dressed for their

expedition.

afraid wi _ thunderstorm girls.' Quest remaiked j,ura laughed ■Who cares? The automobile there. Mr Quest " "Let's go. then he replied Tbsy descended Into Ihe street and drove to the professors bourn- In si Woee. Bven Lair, was feeling the strain of «»v#e l *« hoar * of Oft the way the picked up French s plain-clothes man and the whole arrived at their destination Juat M the sturm broxe. The prof^vor

Bald Gravely. "Ha Is Oosd!’ met them In the hall. He. too. seemed to have lost to some extent tomary equanimity. "Come this way. my friends." be invited. "If Craig kee-e bis word, he will be here now within a few * utes This way. They followed Chairs were ananged arou-.d the tat In the middle of the room and they all sat down. The profeaaor took < his watch. It was five minutes _ few minutes " he continued solemnly, "this weight is to be lifted from the minds of all of ua 1 have come to the coo elusion that on this occasion Craig will keep his word. I sm t, mind, but I b< 'leve that be Is In the bouse at thts present moment. 1 have heard movements In tbe room which belonged to him. 1 have not Interfered. I have been content to wait." "He has at leas', not tried escape." Quest remarked. "French here brought •wi of him. He has been living with his niece very quietly, but wl'hout any particular attempt at concealment or any signs of wishing to leave tbe city." ”1 had that girl brought to my office," French remarked, "barely an hour ago. but she slipped away while we were talking. Bay. what's that?" They all rose quickly to their feet. In a momentary lull ot the storm they could hear distinctly a girl's shrill calling from outside, followed by the clamor of angry voices "Gee! I oet that'e the girl." French exclaimed. "She'd hern looking up the professor's address In a directory ." They all hurried out Into tbe ball The plainclothes man whom they had left on guard was standing there with bis hand upon Craig's collar Tbe girl, sobbing bitterly, was clinging ,hls arm. Craig was making den-eraw efforts to escape Directly he saw the Utile party Issue from the library, however. tbe strength seemed to pas* from his limbs. He remained <n tbe clutches of his captor, limp and helpless. “I caught the gtrl trying lo make her way into the bouse.' the latter plained. "She called out and this man came running downstairs, right into my arms. "It is quite all right." the professor said, in a dignified tone. ~Yo release them both. Craig war way to keep an apolntment here at ten o'clock. Quest, will you and the inspector bring him in? Let uz resume our places at the table.' Tbe little procession made its way down tbe hall. The girl was still dinging to her uncle. "What are they going to do to you. these people?" she sobbed. "They shs'nt hurt you. They sha'u't!" Lenora passed her arm aruunA the

girt.

"Of course not. dear." she said, soothingly. "Your uncle has come of hla own free will to answer a few quea'iona, only I think it would be better If you would let me—" Lenora never finished her sentence. They bad reached the entrance now to the library The professor was stand tng in the doorway with extended hand, motioning them to take their places at the table. Then, with no form of warning, tbe room seemed suddenly filled with a blaze of blue light It came at first la a thin flash from the window to the table, became immediately mu.tlplled a thousand times, played round the table In sparks, which suddenly expanded to sheets of leaping, curling flame The roar of thunder shook the very foundations of the house—and then silence For several seconds not one of them seemed lo have the power of speech An amazing thing bad happened T be oak table In the middle of the room was a tharr.-d fragment, the chain were every one black •-■led remnama. "A thunderbolt!" French gasped at

last

Quest was the drst to cross the room From the table to ih. utsidl window was one chamd. black Hue which bail burnt Its way through the carpet. He threw open the window The Wire whose course te had fol lowed ended here with a tittle lump of queer substance. He broke it off from toe end of ths wire, which was abeolutrly brittle and naturclews. and brought It Into the room "What la It?" Lenora faltered

"Bay. »hat hare ipu got there?' French echoed. Quest examined the atrangelooklnf lump of metal steadily Tbe moat cu rioui thing about It seemed to be thai It was absolutely sound and showed do signs of damage. He turned to the professor. "I think you are the only one wbc will be able to appreciate thi*. profes sor." be remarked. "Look'" It Is s fragment of opotan—a distinct and wonderful specimen of opotan." Everyone looked puzzled "But whet," Lenora Inquired. 1* opotan?" “It is a new metal." Quest explained gravely, "towards which scleottsti have been dlrecUng a great deal of at tention lately. It has the power of col lecting all the electricity from the air around ,us There are a dozen people, at the present moment, con ducting experiment* with h for the purpose of cheapening electric llghta If we had been in tbe room ten sec onda sooner—” He paused significantly. Then be | awurg round on hli heel. I'ralf. a now pitiful object, hla band* nervously twitching, his fsce ghastly, was | cowering In the background "Your last little effort. Craig?' he | demanded, sternly Craig made no repy. The profes sor, who hsd disappeared for a moment. came back to them. "There Is a smaller room across the hall." he said, "which will do for our purpose." Craig suddenly turned and faced

them.

"1 hare changed my mind." be said. "I have nothing to tell you. Do what you will with me Take me to the Tombs, deal with me any way you cfaooae. but I hive nothing to say " Quest pointed a threatening finger at him. "Your last voluntary word, perhaps." he said, "but science Is still your master. Craig. Science has brought many criminals to their doom. It shall take ith you. Bring blm along. French, to my study Tb<re it a way of dealing with him." Quest felt bis forehead and found It damp There were dark rlma under bis eyes. Before him was Craig, with a little band around his forehead and the mirror where they could all see it The professor stood a little In the background. Laura and French were side by side, gazing with distended eye* at thr bltra mirror, and lenora was doing her best to soothe tbe terrified girl. Twice Quest's teeth came together and once he almost reeled. "It's tbe fight of bis life." he mot terwd at last, "but I've got him ' Almost as he spoke the-- could see Craig's resistance begin to weaken. Tbe tenseness of his form relaxed. Quest's win was triumphing. Slowly in the mirror they saw a little picture creeping from the outline Into definite form, a picture of tbe proteaaora library. Craig himself was there with mortar and trowel, and a black box In his hand "It'a coering!" Lenora moaned. Quest stood perfectly tense. Tbe picture suddenly flashed into brilliant

OLD AGE HA8 PRACTICALLY

CEASED TO BE BOGY.

Ian of Today Refute* to B# Confer sred Old When Hs Arrives at ths Thrst Score Yaara and TanSome Essmplea. Old age used to be regarded as sn Incurable disease; a time to be looked forward to with horror; a period of islsas cumber!nr of the earth. That bogy Is scared away by the testimony of some of the living celebrities who have left tbe biblical "'hnre score and tea" landmark far behind them, says a writer in the Milwaukee Sentinel Says John Burroughs, tbe great naturalist. at seventy-seven: -I am In better health and more able to do my work at aeventy-aeven than I was at forty-seven oe at fifty seven I have produced more manuscript* during tb» last three years than during any other three jeers of my life, and of a kind that has made unusual intellectual demands upon me. "Old age is not such a bugaboo after all. He is. In many ways, better to live with than youth, because he leaves you more at your ease; you are In the calmer waters; the fret and fever of Ilfs hare greatly abated. Old age bring* tbe philosophical mind; he bring* a deeper, wider outlook upor. life; hs bring* more tolerance and charity and good will. 1 did not squander my youth In excesses, and henev I am not bankrupt In my old age” Amelia E. Barr, the novelist who is tlx years older than Burroughs, and who writes six hours a day. gives this recipe for staying young In the eighties: "I have constantly given my mind plenty of new thoughts, and this mental diet has kept me young. It is routine that ages. Even In my sleep I am often mentally busy. 1 think I know consciously that when I rest 1 darken 1 have constantly proved that intellectual activity infuaea I/e Into every part of the body. As Ur as pot slble 1 avoid atuer or worry, for one hour of »ueb depilating mental exercise destroys all personal magnetism and what passes between them and the soul i do not car* to say. "I keep my health beceuve I kevp my Illusions. 1 will not believe that every one is false. 1 will not belle'* that hope tells a Battering tale, or that friendship U only a name, cr that true love hat fled from earth and that the fear of God haa vanished. And above all other reasons for my ffood health 1 place tbe vivifying power of love. Love Is life." Cardinal Gibbons, eighty years old and tn tbe prime of bis power-, says: "1 believe firmly that the critical time of life for the* making or marrir.p of a sound constitution is the period of youth. The seeds of weakness are sown In tbe system then; by irregularity of life, particularly In the hours allotted for sleep and rest; by excels I In eating and drinking; by grosser «? ' cesses, and by- lack of proper exe.--

ct*e.

“The rules of health froiq which I I have never swerved from my youth are: Regularity of life; moderation la eating and drinking; exercise proper to my rge and profession; avoidant * of worry; and an ever abiding trust In God s providence. 1 have always been j avaricious in the matter of aleep. j Early to bed Is the wisest of all aa»* lor him who haa work to do and amb.tlon to do It welL"

l 0..I

Her Way Into th* House" clean., s. They saw Craig s featurwith almost lifelike d«*H ' «.mcr of that room where th- „ro£ j terwa, .unding. ^ it was a terrifying, a parahring moment Even tbe sUen,, .^. n ,ed charged with awful thlnz* Th.. • q I

“> ■-■"“««• U,, v*

tun faded completely away a , rT 1 which »as almtitt a howl «,i -

broke from Quest s lit* s-a

fallen sideways from hu chair Tt. I was an ominous charge in hi* rr *

Something seemed to have p from the atmospher- of t| lr

nome tecae and nameless quality* I Quest moved forward *t-a i w .a ..."

band on Craig-, bean “be irl

on her kncua, acr>-an:inp *a» to LpnonI ,er Wur *' »bi,p.r*d

room * ‘b* "He fought too hard.' Qur,. .. u

«!”'> I. .... 1

They nil looked around The . I

<TO V- CONTtNlTti.,

zed

1

Q.-sen Marpherita'a Retort. That was a bright reply which lb< queen mother of Italy, the extremepopular Marghcrita. rent back t< Kaiser Wilhelm, who had offered ad vice that seemed to be important ''In the house of Savoy we reig'’ ant at a time." Harrison Morris of this city, accord tag to "Girard" in the Phlladrlph... Lcdgrr. says he was not surprised U» read such a happy retort. He one of our commissioners of art. and In Rome attended a very handsome function given by the dowager quern "I was aatonlabed." said Mr. Morrt "to observe tfiat tbe king’s mother Moke to every guest In bis native tongue To me she talked in exeellv-' English A Japanese representative was standing beside me. and 1 ven turrd the remark to her majesty that here wo* a person lo whom the could not talk in hi, own language. To m> utli-r smxicment and to the delight id the Japanese, she spoke several act tame* m that tongue Then *bc laugbe.-; and explained that they wen the only Japanese phrase* abe kne» fibaky Eaperiaeca. l-x>k here. - * said the vta'tor: "I thought you aatd there wasn't *»> roalam m this neighborhood.' I reckon I did »ay somethin ike '•‘•I replied Farmer Corntosscl Hut you and your entire fam‘ ,v appear lo be shaking with chill* We v* Just got back from ridin tn our hrandnew little automobile a - we tint quit, recovered from ite

A Moan Device. " b"’ »re you buying so much d tafectant for? Am you afraid

No. but I hog. .. porar, pence »one.”

■ft what way?'

■ft what way?" / After | *> infect our prwt hl» the wife doaan t tee,,

P day 0T two " J