Close to the corner from which
Lenora had sent her wireless message to him, he stooped and picked up a
handkerchief, which from the marking he recognised at once. A few feet
away, the gravel was disturbed as though by the trampling of several feet.
He set his teeth. For a single moment his own danger was forgotten. A
feeling which he utterly failed to recognise robbed him of his indomitable
nerve. He realised with vivid but scarcely displeasing potency a weakness
in the armour of his complete self-control.
"I've got to find that girl," he muttered. "Craig can go to hell!"
He turned away and approached the house. The front door stood open and he
made his way at once to the library. The Professor, who was sitting at his
desk surrounded by a pile of books and papers, addressed him, as he
entered, without looking up.
"Where on earth have you been, Craig?" he enquired petulantly. "I have
rung for you six times. Have I not told you never to leave the place
without orders?"
"It is not Craig," Quest replied quietly. "It is I, Professor--Sanford
Quest."
The Professor swung round in his chair and eyed his visitor in blank
astonishment.
"Quest?" he exclaimed. "God bless my soul! Have they let you out already,
then?"
"I came out," Quest replied grimly. "Sit down and listen to me for a
moment, will you?"
"You came out?" the Professor repeated, looking a little dazed. "You mean
that you escaped?"
Quest nodded.
"Perhaps I made a mistake," he admitted, "but here I am.
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