The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-10-14

The Hut, P~rofessorl
far as the hedge, which they sklrted
for a few yards until they found an
opening. Then Quest gave vent to q
little exclamation. Immediately In
front OF them was q small hut, built
apparently of sticks and bamboos,
with a stronger framework behind.
The sloping roof ri grass-grown and
entwinod with rushes. The only apol-
ogy for n window was a queer little
hole set quite close to the roof.
There was a r~ude-looking door. but
Quest. on trying it, found 1t locked.
They walked around the place. but
found no other opening. All the time
from inside they could hear queer
scut1ing sounds. Lenora's cheeks
grew paler.
Must We stay she murmured. Il
don't think | want to see what's In
side. Mr.. Quest! Mr.. Quest!"
She chung to his arm. They were
opposite the little aperture which
served as a window, and at that mo-
ment II suddenly framed the face OF
a creature, human In features, diaboli-
cal in expression.
Say, that's some face!" he re-
marked. I'd hate to spoil it."
Even as he spoke 1t disappeared,
We've got to get inside there,
Lenora,' he announced, stepping for
ward.
She followed him silently. A few
turns of the wrist and the door yield
ed. Keeping Lenora q little behind
him, Quest gazed around eagerly. EI-
actly In front of him, clad only in .
loin cloth, with hunched-up shoulders,
q necklace around it's neck, with blaz-
ing eyes and ugly. cleaning teeth,
crouched some unacceptable crea-
ture, human, yet inhuman, a monkey,
and yet a man. There were a couple
of monkeys swinging by their tails
from 3 bar. and a leopard chained to
q staple in the ground, walking
round and round in the far corner,
swapping and snarling every time
ne glanced towards the newcom-
ers. The creature in front Of him
stretched out q hairy hand towards
a club, and gripped it. Quest drew a
long breath. His eyes were set hard.
Drop that club" he ordered.
The creature suddenly sprang up.
The club was waved around his head,
Drop it." Quest repeated firmly.
You will sit down in your corner. You
will sleep"
The club slipped from the hairy fin
gers. The tense frame, which had
been already crouched for the spring
was suddenly relaxed. The knees
trembled.
Back to that corner" Quest or
dered. pointing.
Slowly and dejectedly, the ape-man
crept to where he had been ordered
and sat there with dull, non-compre
bending stare. 1t was a new force
this, a note of which he had felt-the
superman raising the voice of author
ity. Quest touched his forehead and
found it damp. The strain OF those
few seconds had been intolerabte.
II don't think these other animal.
will hurt" he said. Let's have
look aroun the place.
a. The search took only a few mo
ments. The monkeys ran and jumped
around them, gibberins as though will
ii pleasure. The leopard watched then
always with a snarl and an evil lighr
in his eye.
They found nothing unusual unit
they came to the distant corner, wher'
q huge piano box lay on its side will
the opening turned to the wall.
"This is where the brute sleeps.
suppose" Quest remarked. Wei
turn it around, anyway"
They dragged it a few feet ava!
from the wall. so that the openin:
faced them. Then Lenora gave q it'll,
cry and Quest stood suddenly still.
THE s~keleton!" Lenora shrieked
IT'S the skeleton"
1t was a skeleton so old that tn,
bones had turned q dull gray. Cues
glanced towards the hands.
Little fingers both missing" h,
: muttered.
Remember the message?" she ex
claimed. Where the skeleton is, tn,
necklace may be also"
Quest nodded shortly.
Wen search"
They turned over everything in tn,
place f~ruitlessiy. There was no sigr
Of the necklace.
"You get outside. Lenora." Quest di
rected. "T1l just bring this beas
round again and then we'll tackle tn,
professor"
Quest turned towards the creature
which crouched still huddled up in III
corner.
Look at me" he ordered.
: The creature oSsyed. Ones more III
frame seemed to grow more virile an,
natural. =