The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-03-28

far as the hedge, which they sklrtet
for few yards until they found NJ
opening. Then Quest gave vent to
little exclamation. Immediately In
front of them was a small hut, hull
apparently of sticks and bamboos
with a stronger framework behind
The sloping roof was grass-grown anc
entwined with rushes. The only apol
ogy for window was a queer little
hole set quite close to the roof.
There was a rude.looking door, but
Quest. on trying it, found it locked
They walked around the place, but
found no other opening. All the time
from inside they could hear queer
scuiiling sounds. Lenora's cheeks
grew paler.
Must we stayr sh1 murmured. Il
don't think | want TO see what's in
side, Mr.. Quest! Mr.. Quest!"
She clung to his arm. They were
opposite the little aperture which
served as a window. and at that mo-
ment 1t suddenly framed the face OF
a creature, human In features, daboli'
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 a little behind
him, Quest gazed around eagerly. Ex-
actly In front Of him, clad only in a
loin cloth, with hunched-up shoulders,
a necklace around its neck, with blaz-
ing eyes and ugly, cleaning teeth,
crouched some unrecognizable cren-
ture, human, yet inhuman, a monkey,
and yet a man. There were couple
of monkeys swinging by their tails
from a bar, and leopard chained to
staple in the ground, walking
round and round in the far corner,
swapping and snarling every time
he glanced towards the newcom-
ers. The creature in front OF him
stretched out hairy hand towards
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-
hending stare. 1t was a new force.
this, note of which ne 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 intolerable.
81 don't think these other animals
will hurt" he said. Let's have a
look around the place"
The search took only a few mo-
ments The monkeys ran and jumped
around them, gibbering as though with
pleasure. The leopard watched them
always with snarl and an evil light
in his eye.
They found nothing unusual until
they came to the distant corner. where
a huge piano box lay on its side with
the opening turned to the wall.
This is where the brute sleeps, /
suppose" Quest remarked. Wen
turn it around, anyway"
They dragged 1t a few feet away
rom the wall, 80 that the opening
laced them. Then Lenora gave little
Try and Quest stood suddenly still.
THE skeleton!" Lenora shrieked.
It's the skeleton"
II was a skeleton so old that the
ZONES had turned a dull gray. Quest
glanced towards the hands.
Little fingers both missing" he
Remember the message?" she ex-
laimed. Where the skeleton is, the
may be also"
Quest nodded shortly.
We'll search"
They turned over everything in the
lace fruitlessly. There was no sign
f the necklace.
you get outside, Lenora." Quest di-
ected. III just bring this beast
ound again and then we'll tackle the
rofessor."
Quest turned towards the creature,
'hich crouched still huddled up in its
orner.
Look at me-" he ordered
The creature obeyed. Once more It's
-ame seemed to grow more virile and
atural.
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