The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-07-16

] ne f1ut Us on Fire!"
you need sleep no longer" Quest
said. Wake up and be yourself
The effect of these words was in
Simultaneous. Almost as he spoke, the
creature crouched for spring. There
was wild hatred in its close-set eyes,
the snarl of something fiendlike in its
contorted mouth. Quest slipped quick
ly through the door.
anyone may have@that for pet!'
he remarked grimly. Come, Lenora,
there's word or two to be said to the
professor There's something here will
need 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 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. "We'll go in and wait,
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 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. Il am sure OF
it. 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?"
I'VE have found the skeleton" Quest
announced.
For single moment the newcomer
stood as though turned to stone
my skeleton!" he murmured. "Mr.
Quest, knew it. You are the great
est man alive Now tell me quickly
! want to know everything, but this
first of all. Where did you find the
skeleton? Who was the thief?'
I'VE found the skeleton, professor,
Quest replied, within hundred yards
of this house."
The professors mouth was wide
open. He looked like a bewildered
child. 1t was several seconds before
he spoke.
Within hundred yards of this
house? Then it wasn't stolen by one
of my rivals?"
i should say not Quest admitted
Where? exactly did you find it?''
the professor insisted.
Il found it in hut" Quest said
hidden in piano box l found there
also, a creature-a human being,
must call HMM state of cap
tivity."
Hidden in piano box?" the pro
lessor repeated wonderingly. why
you mean in Hartoo's sleeping box
them"
IF Mr.. Hartoo is the gentleman who
tried to club me, you are right Quest
admitted. Mr.. Ashleigh, before we
go any further 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 a small
escritoire, and drew out 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 bette,
read it."
The criminologist read it aloud. LIE
nora looked over his shoulder:
To Prof. Edgar Ashleigh. New York
Ny Dear PROFESSOR; Your communica.
ton graunes and amazes me. can sax
no more. It fell to your lot to dlscoveI
the skeleton Of the anthropoid, a marvel
GUS thing, in Its ws-, and needing only
IT'S corollary to form the greatest discov,
me that in the person of Hartoo. The las
on the lnyamo race OF South America. va,
have found that corollary, You have sim
piled the missing link. You are in DO
sition to give to the world a definite AM
logical explanation of the evolution ~
man. Let me give you one word OF warn
ing, professor. before / write Won q,
greater length on the matter Amir
biologists are afflicted more, even than q N,
other race of scientific men. with ieaIo,'sy,
Guard your secret well. lest the honor n
this discovery should be stolen from vc ~
WILLIAM RAYSMORE.
The professor nodded deliberatel,
as Quest finished the letter.
Now, perhaps you can understand
he said, why it was necessary to kea,
Hartoo absolutely hidden. In
months time my papers will be ready
Then shall electrify the world.
shall write not a new page but n new
volume across the history Of science
I shall"
| The doorwas suddenly thrown omen