The evening world., 1915-03-16
~6lRa5aH1Rs 6PpH9agRS

served ~ . wiadeW, and ~ that mo-
ment Il suddenly framed the face Of q
creature, human In features. dia.
bolical In expression.
Say, thaes. some faoei" ne ~.
marked. I'D hate 70 spoil It."
!.sss Iyen - ne spoke II disappeared.
L:nSrA." .saS he announced. stepping for
She followed him silently. A fsw
turns Of the wrist and the door
yielded. Keeping Lenora q little be-
hind him, Quest gaxed around eagerly.
Enactly In front Of him, clad only IN
9 loin CLOTH with hupched-up shoul-
ders. . NECKLACE around hia neck. with
olasins eyes and ugly cleaning teeth.
crouched some unrec0spisabls crea-
and yet q man. There were Q oou-
pie OF monksye swinging by thsAs
tans from . bar, and q leopard
chained % Q staple In the ground.
walking round and round In the far
corner Gnapptng and snarling every
time ne glanced toward the new.
eomers. Tho creature In front Of
him stretched out . hairy hand to-
ward club. and gripped 1t. Quest
Grew a long breath. His eyes wero
"Drop that club" he ordered.
The creature suddenly sprang up.
The club was waved around eds
aDrop H." Quest repeated nrmly.
You wili sit down In your corner.
Tho club clipped from the hairy
fingers. The tense frame. which had
been already crouched for the spring,
was suddenly relaxed. y
they came to the distant corner.
where a hugo piano box lay ON it,
side with the opening turned to the
wall.
"This is where the brute sleeps l
suppose" Quest remarked. "WeIl
turn It around, anyway"
They dragged It h few feet away
from the wall, so that the openins
faced them. Than Lenora gave {
little cry and Quest stood suddenly
Btill.
,,.T The *. :ss':sen" .ss;s,oa. Isnora 'Arls.sd
It was q skeleton 20 old that the
bones had turned dull gray. Quest
glanced tovard the hands
Little fingers both missing" hs
muttered. sF
"Remember the messasef' she ex.
claimed. where the skeleton II the
necklace may be also"
Quest nodded shortly.
We'll search"
They turned over everything in the
place fruitlessiy. There was no sign
Of the necklace.
"You get outside. Lenora," Quest
directed. 'Irl Just bring this beast
round again and then we'll tackle the
Quest turned toward the creature
which crouched still huddied up In ita
corner. -t -
The creature obeyed. Once more
Its frame seemed 10 crow more virals
and natural.
"You need sleep no longer" Quest
said. Wake up and be yourself"
Tho effect Of his words was instan-
taneous. Almost a. he spoke the
was wild hatred In it, close-set eyes.
the snarl Of something .fend.like IN
its contorted mouth. Quest slipped
quickly through tho door.
"Any one may have. that for petf"
he remarked grimly. "Come. Lsnora.
there's a word Or two to DO said 70
the professor. There's something here
will need . little explanation"
He lit a cigar as they struggled back
along the path. Presently they reached
the untidy looking avenue. and few
later. arrived at tho house.
Quest searched In vain for q bell.
They walked round the piasxa. There
were no signs Of any human life. They
came back to the front door. Quest
tried the handle and found it open.
They passed into tho hall.
5 "Hospitabls sort Of place. anyway"
he remarked. We'll 70 In and walt,
Lenora"
They found their way to the study.
which seemed to be the only habitable
room. Lenora glanced around at its
strange contents with an expression
almost Of awe.
A small motor-car passed the win
dow, driven by Craig. The professor
descended. A moment or two later hs
entered the room. He gased from
Quest to Lenora at flrst In blank sur
prise. Then he held out both hands.
"You have good news for me, my
friends!" he exclaimed. II am sure
OF 1t. How unfortunate that was
not at home to receive you'll Tell mo-
plsassSyou have discovered my skels'
1--WE have found the skeleton" Quest
For q single moment the newcomer
stood as though turned TO stone.
my skeleton" he rnurmured. "Mr.
Guest, I knew II. You are the great
est man alive. Now tell me quickly
7 want To know everything. but this
first Of all: Where did you find the
skeleton? Who was the thief?"
(To be Continued.)