The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1915-05-15

"The Hut, Professor!
far as the hedge, which they shirted
for a few yards until they found al
opening. Then Quest gave vent TO a
little exclamation. Immediately in
front of them was a small hut, bull'
apparently of sticks and bamboos
with 4 stronger framework behind
The sloping roof was grass-groWn and
entwined with rushes. The only apol
ogy for window was a queer little
hole set quite chose to the roof.
There was a rude-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
scuffiing sounds. Len0ra's cheeks
grew paler.
Must We stay" she murmured. 81
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 it suddenly framed the face OF
a creature. human in features, diaboli
cal in expression.
Say, that's some facet" he re
marked. I'D hate to spoil it
Even as he spoke it disappeared,
We've got to get inside there
Lonora," he announced, stepping for
ward
She followed him silently, A few
turns OF the wrist and the door yield
ed. Keeping Lenora { little behind
him, Quest gazed around eagerly. Eek
actly in front Of him, clad only in a
loin cloth. with hunched-up shoulders
a necklace around its neck, with blaz
ing eyes aud ugly. cleaning teeth
crouChed some unrecogniZable cFea
ture. human, yet inhHman, monkey
and Yet 4 man. There were a couple
Of monkeys swinging by their tails
from bar. and leopard chained tt
q staple i'll the ground walking
round and round in the far corner
Swapping and suarling every time
he glanced towards the newcom
ers. The creature in front of him
stretched out a hairy hand towards
a club, and gripped it. Quest drew
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 Yor
will sleep"
The club slipped from the hairy fin
gers. The tense frame, which ha(
been already crouched for the spring
was suddenly relaxed. The knee:
trembed
Back to that corner" Quest or
dered, pointing.
Slowly and dejectedly. the apemaI
crept to where he had been ordered
and sat there with dull, non-compre
bending stare. 1t was new force
this, a note OF which he had felt-tht
superman raising the voice of author
ity. Quest touched his forehead anc
found it damp. The strain of those
few seconds had been intolerable
81 don't think these other animals
will hurt" he said. Let's have {
look around the place"
The search took only a few mo
ments. The monkeys ran and jumped
around them, gibbering as though will
pleasure The leopard watched then
always with snarl and an evil ligh
in his eye.
They found nothing unusual unit
they came to the distant corner, where
a huge piano box lay on its side witt
the opening turned to the wall.
This is where the brute sleeps,
suppose" Quest remarked. wei
turn it around. anyway"
They dragged it few feet away
from the wall, so that the opening
faced them. Then Eenora gave a littl,
cry and Quest stood suddenly still.
The skeleton" Lenora shrieked
IT'S the skeleton"
1t was a skeleton so old that thu
bones had turned dull gray. Ques
glanced towards the hands
Little fingers both missing" h,
muttered
Remember the messenger" she ex
claimed. Where the skeleton is, The
necklace may be also"
Quest nodded shortly.
Wen search"
They turned over everything in tbs
place fruitlessly There was no sigr
of the necklace.
you get outside. Lenora." Quest di
reoted. I'm just bring this beas
round again and then well tackle The
professor"
Quest turned towards the creature
which ereuehed still huddled up in 1t,
corner
Look at me, he ordered.
The creature obeyed. Once more IL,
frame seemed to grow more virile ant
natural,