The Green Forest tribune., 1915-04-23

| ne Hut Is on Fire!" "You need sleep no longer" Quest said. Wake up and be yourself"
 The effect of these words was in- stantaneous. Almost as he spoke, the creature crouched for a spring. There was wild hatred in it's close-set eyes, the snarl of something fiendlike in it's contorted mouth. Quest slipped quick ly through the door,
 Anyone may have that for a pet!" he remarked grimly Come, Lenora, there's word or two to be said to the professor. There's something here will need a little explanation"
 He lit cigar as they struggled back along the path. Presently they reached the untidy-looking avenue, and few minutes later arrived at the house. Quest searched in vain for a bell. They walked round the piazza. 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 the hall.
 "Hospitable sort of place, anyway" he remarked. Well go in and wait Lenora"
 They found their way to the study, which seemed to be the only habitable room. Lenora glanced around at it's strange contents with an expression al- most of awe.
 A small motor car passed the win dow, driven by Craig. The professor descended. A moment or two later he entered the room. He gazed from Quest to Lenora at first in blank sur prise. Then he held out his hands
 You have good news for me, my friends!" he exclaimed. q am sure of 1t. How unfortunate that was not at home to receive you! Tell me-don't keep me in suspense, if you please you have discovered my skeleton?"
 We have found the skeleton" Quest announced.
 For a single moment the newcomer stood as though turned to stone.
 My skeleton!" he murmured "Mr Quest, 1 knew it. You are the great est man alive. Now tell me quickly l want to know everything, but this first of all Where did you find the skeleton? Who was the thief?"
 We found the skeleton, professor" Quest replied, within hundred yards of this house."
 The professors mouth was wide open. He looked like a bewildered child. It was several seconds before he spoke.
 Within a hundred yards of this house? Then it wasn't stolen by one of my rivals?"
 T should say not" Quest admitted.
 Where? exactly did you find it?" the professor insisted
 T found it in a hut," Quest said, hidden in a piano box. I found there, also, a creature-a human being, must call him-in a state of cap tivity."
 Hidden in a piano box?" the pro- lessor repeated wonderingly. Why, you mean in Hartoo's sleeping box, then?'
 If MT Hartoo is the gentleman who tried to club me, you are right" Quest admitted. MT. Ashleigh, before we go any further I must ask you for an explanation as to the presence of that person in your grounds?'
 The professor hesitated for a mo- ment. Then he slowly crossed the room, opened the drawer of small escritoire, and drew out a letter
 You have heard of Sir William Raysmore, the president of the Royal society,"" he asked.
 Quest nodded.
 This letter is from him." the pro- lessor continued You had better read it.'
 The criminologist read it aloud. Le- nora looked over his shoulder: To Prof Edgar Ashleigh, New York. l My Dear Professor: Your communica- no more. It fell to your lot to discover the skeleton of the anthropod, a marvel ous thing in it's way, and needing only it's corollary to form the greatest discov cry since the dark ages. Now you tell me that in the person of Hartoo, the last of the 1nyamo race of South America, you have found that corollary: You have SUD- piled the missing link. You are in a po- ! sition to give to the world a definite and l logical explanation of the evolution of man. Let me give you one word of warm l HIS, plO1SSSOI, DelOTe WTlte you at | greater length on the matter Anthro- biologists are afflicted more, even, than any | other race of scientific men, with jealousy 1 Guard your secret we'll, lest the honor of this discovery should be stolen from you
 WILLIAM RAYSMORE.
 The professor nodded deliberately as Quest finished the letter.
 "Now, perhaps you can understand" he said, why it was necessary to keep Hartoo absolutely hidden. In a months time my papers will be ready Then I shall electrify the world. shall write not a new page but new volume across the history of science. I shall"
 | The door was suddenly throwr open.