New-York tribune., 1905-02-26
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was no parallel track. To make doubly certain that
the slayer had crept upon Serdholm from that
direction Haynes examined the prints Tor evidences
of supermposed steps. None was there. Three Sides
then eliminated AS inference at first had sug-
gested the killing was done from the cliff side.
Haynes first hasty glance at the sand between the
body and the ravnes opening had shown him nothing
Here however, must be the teltale evidence. Striking
off from the dead mans line of approach he walked
upon the hard surface. The sand was deeply IN
de ted beyond the body where his three companions
had hurried to the cliff But no other shoe had
broken its evenness. ~
Not until he almost on a line between the body
and the mouth of the gully did he find clue Clearly
imprinted the clean level the outline OF huge
claw There the five talOns and the nub OF the
foot. little forward and to side was similar
mark except that it slanted differently. Step
by step, with starting eyes and shudderng mind
Haynes followed the trail Then he became aware OF
a second confusing the first, the track of the same
creature At first the second track distinct then it
merged with the first only to diverge again. The
talons turned in the direction opposite to the
first spoor. From the body of SerdhOm to the soft
sand stretched the unbroken lines Nowhere else
within a radius of many yards was there any other
indication. The sand lay blank a white sheet of
paper as blank the Observers mind, which struggled
with supplying thought: that between the body
of the dead life-saver and the refuge of the cliff no
creature had passed except that stalked on mon
strOus, Clawed feet.
Sitting down upon the beach, Haynes reasoned
with himself aloud: This thing he said, cannot be
so. You ought to have sent the others away
Some full command of his eyesight and faculties
should be here"
Then the detective instinct holding faithful, he
hastily gathered flat rocks and covered the
est tracks, in of rain field sparrow hoped
the rubble and watched him.
ct morrow said Haynes the sparrow, "I'H
pick up those rocks and find nothing under them
Then I'll know that this phantasm. | wonder
if you Illusion
Selecting the smallest stone, he threw it at the
sparrow With Shrek of insulted surprise the bird
flew away. Haynes produced a pencil with which
he drew upon the back of envelop, rough but
pretty accurate map of the surroundings. He
putting his shoes when Bruce out of the
gully.
See anythng7" called Haynes
Nothing moving to the northward, replied Bruce.
approaching. Have you found anything?"
Not that you could call definite. Don't cross the
sand there. Keep along down. Wen go to Sand Spit
and report this"
But the staring beyond the little column
of rock shelters.
Whats that thing?" he said pointing to the nearest
unsheltered print. My Godl 1t looks like bird
track And it leads straight to the bodyl" he cried
in a voice that tangled Haynes nerves But when
he began to look fearfuly overhead into the gathering
darkness drawing in his shoulders like shrink
ing from blow that too much. Haynes
jumped up, grabbed him by the and started
him along
Don't be a fool! he said. Keep this to yourself
| won't have lot of idiots prowing around those
tracks. Understand? You're to report this murder
and say nothing about what you don't know Later
we'll take it up again"
The seemed stunned He walked along quietly
close to his companion, to whom it comfort
to feel him. and again. shaken by violent shudder
They nearly had reached the station, when Professor
Ravenden and Cotton came down to the beach in
front of them Cotton had nothing to tell. The pro-
fessor reported having started up fine specimen of