The Spectator. (Ozark, Ark.) 1911-1916, 1915-08-06

1.-THE Hut, Professor!
far as the hedge, which they skirted
for few yards until they found an
opening. Then Quest gave vent to a
little exclamation. Immediately in
front of them was a small hut, built
| apparently of sticks and bamboos.
with a stronger framework behind.
The sloping roof was grass-grown and
entwined with rushes. The only apol-
ogy for window was queer little
hole set quite close to the roof.
There was a rudelooking 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
scufiing sounds. Lenoras 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 it suddenly framed the face Of
q 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,
| 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 Understandable crea'
ture, human. yet inhuman, monkey,
and yet a man. There were couple
! of monkeys swinging by their tails
from a bar, and a 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
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'
hending 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 intolerable.
IL don't think these other animals
viii 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 a snarl and an evil light
in his eye.
They found nothing unusual unit
they came to the distant corner. where
huge piano box lay on its side with
the opening turned to the wall.
This is where the brute sleeps.
suppose" Quest remarked. Wei
turn 1t around, anyway"
They dragged it few feet away
from the wall, so that the opening
faced them. Then Lenora gave little
cry and Quest stood suddenly still.
1.-The skeleton!" Lenora shrieked
It's the skeleton"
1t was a skeleton so old that the
bones had turned dull gray. Quest
glanced towards the hands.
Little fingers both missing" hi
muttered.
Remember the message?" she ex
claimed. Where the skeleton Is, the
necklace may be Also"
Quest nodded shortly.
"Well search"
They turned over everything In this
place fruitlessly. There was no sigr
Of the necklace.
you get outside. Lenora." Quest di
rected. I'm just bring this beas'
round again and then we'll tackle thu
professor"
Quest turned towards tie creature
which crouched still huddled up in it
corner.
Look ut me-" he ordered.
The creature obeyed.e Once more IT
frame seemed to grow more virils ami
J natural