Part 20 (2/2)
”Perhaps I may feel it my duty to do so,” the Inspector replied gravely.
”In the first place, then, Mr. Quest, will you kindly explain the condition of your clothes?”
Quest looked down at himself quickly. More than ever he realised the significance of his dishevelled appearance.
”I travelled from number ten tower, just outside New York, on top of a freight car,” he said grimly. ”It wasn't a very comfortable ride.”
”Perhaps you will explain what made you take it, then?” the Inspector continued.
Quest shrugged his shoulders.
”Here you are, then,” he replied. ”This morning I decided to make an attempt to clear up the mystery of Macdougal's disappearance. I sent on my secretary, Miss Laura, to make friends with the section boss, and Lenora and I went out by automobile a little later. We inst.i.tuted a search on a new principle, and before very long we found Macdougal's body. That's one up against you, I think, Inspector.”
”Very likely,” the Inspector observed. ”Go on, please.”
”I left the two young ladies, at Miss Lenora's wish, to superintend the removal of the body. I myself had an engagement to deliver over her jewels to Mrs. Rheinholdt here at mid-day. I returned to where my automobile was waiting, started for the city and was attacked by two thugs near the section house. I got away from them, ran to the tower house to try and stop the freight, was followed by the thugs, and jumped out on to the last car from the signal arm.”
There was a dead silence. Quest began quietly to dust his clothes. The Inspector stopped him.
”Don't do that,” he said.
Quest paused in his task and laid down the brush.
”Any more questions?”
”Where is your automobile?”
”No idea,” Quest replied. ”I left it in the road. When I jumped from the freight car, I took a taxicab to the Professor's and called for him, as arranged.”
”That is perfectly true,” the Professor intervened. ”Mr. Quest called for us, as arranged previously, at ten minutes to twelve.”
The inspector nodded.
”I shall have to ask you to excuse me for a moment,” he said, ”while I ring up Number 10 signal tower. If Mr. Quest's story receives corroboration, the matter is at an end. Where shall I find a telephone?”
”In every room in the house,” Quest answered shortly. ”There is one outside in the pa.s.sage.”
The Inspector left the room almost immediately. The Professor crossed to Quest's side. A kindly smile parted his lips.
”My dear Mr. Quest,” he exclaimed, ”our friend the Inspector's head has been turned a little, beyond doubt, by these horrible happenings! Permit me to a.s.sure you, for one, that I look upon his insinuations as absurd.”
[Ill.u.s.tration: ”MR. QUEST, YOUR ALIBI HAS BEEN FOUND WITH A BULLET IN HIS BRAIN. I MUST PUT YOU UNDER ARREST.”]
[Ill.u.s.tration: WHEN QUEST GOES TO THE SAFE TO PRODUCE THE JEWELS, HE FINDS THEM MISSING.]
”The man has gone off his head!” Laura declared angrily.
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