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

"The Hut, Professor
far as the hedge, which they skirted
for few yards until they found an
opening. Then Quest gave vent to q
little exclamation. Immediately in
front of them was small hut, built
apparently of sticks and bamboos
with 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 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
scuffiing sounds. Lenora's cheeks
grew paler.
Must We stay?" she murmured. Il
don't think | want to see what's in.
side. Mr.. Questi Mr.. Quest!"
She chung to his arm. They were
opposite the little aperture which
served as window, and at that mo
ment 1t suddenly framed the face OF
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 little behind
him, Quest gazed around eagerly. Elk
actly in front of him, clad only in a
loin cloth, with hunched-up shoulders
necklace around it's neck, with blaz
ing eyes and ugly, cleaning teeth
crouched some unacceptable crea
ture, human, yet inhuman, monkey
and yet a man. There were couple
Of monkeys swinging by their tails
from a bar, and leopard chained te
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 Q
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 hat
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-mar
crept to where he had been ordered
and sat there with dull, non-compre
this, a note of which he had felt--the
superman raising the voice of author
ity. Quest touched his forehead ant
found it damp. The strain of those
few seconds had been intolerable
Il don't think these other animal.
will hurt" he said. Lets have s
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 a snarl and an evil ligh
in his eye.
They found nothing unusual unit
they came to the distant corner, where
huge piano box lay on its side will
the opening turned to the wall.
"This is where the brute sleeps.
suppose" Quest remarked. "Wel
turn it around, anyway"
They dragged 1t few feet ava,
from the wall, so that the opening
faced them. Then Lenora gave littl,
cry and Quest stood suddenly still.
1.-THE skeleton!" Lenora shrieked
ITS the skeleton!"
1t was a skeleton so old that tn,
bones had turned dull gray. CUES
glanced towards the hands.
Little fingers both missing" h'
muttered.
Remember the messenger" she ex
claimed. Where the skeleton is, tn,
necklace may be also"
Quest nodded shortly.
Wen search"
They turned over everything in tn,
place fruitlessly. There was no sigl
of the necklace.
"'You get outside, Lenora." Quest di
rected, "Ill just bring this beas
round again and then Wen tackle tn,
professor"
Quest turned towards the creature
which crouched still huddled up In it
corner.
Look at me-" he ordered.
The creature obeyed. Once more 1t
frame seemed to grow more virile an,
natural.