The Holly chieftain., 1915-07-09

got plenty of food and a bottle of
water"
Quest threw open the white Arab
cloak which he had been wearing. He
had three rifles strapped around him.
THE professors got the ammuni-
tion," he said, "and we've five horses
tethered hundred PAGES along the
track We came by. just behind the
second tree turning TO the left. !
want you all to go there now at once
and take the rifles. There isn't soul
in the camp ana you can carry them
wrapped in this cloak. Ill join you
in ten minutes"
What about Craig?" the professor
inquired.
Il am seeing to him." Quest replied,
Lenora hesitated
Isn't it rather a risk" she whis-
pered fearfully.
Quests face was suddenly stern.
Craig Is going back with u.s. he
said. IN be careful, Lenora. Don't
worry"
back again.
THE coasts clear" he announced.
"Of you go. One moment" he
added. there are some papers in this
little box of mine which one of you
might take care Of
He bent hastily over the little wallet,
which never left him. Suddenly lit
tie exclamation broke from his lips.
What is it?"
Quest never said word. From one
of the spaces of the wallet he drew out
a small black box, removed the lid and
held out the card. They read it to-
gether:
Fools, all Of you! The cunning Of
the ages defeats your puny efforts at
every turn.-The Hands. -
Even the professors lips blanched
a little as he read. Quest, however,
seemed suddenly furious. He tore the
card and the box to pieces. flung them
into corner of the tent and drew a
revolver from his pocket.
This time" he exclaimed. 1--WE are
going to make an end of The Hands!
Out you go now, girls. You can leave
me to finish things up"
One by one they stole along the path.
Quest came out and watched them dis
appear Then he gripped his revolver
firmly in his hand and turned towards
Craig's tent. Then, from the thick
growth by the side of the clearing, he
saw dark shape steal out and vanish
in the direction Of Craig's tent. He
came to standstill. puzzled. There
had been rumors of lions all day. but
the professor had been incredulous.
Then the still, heavy air was suddenly
rent by wild scream of horror. Across
the narrow opening the creature had
reappeared, carrying something in Its
mouth, something which gave vent all
the time to the most awful yells.
Quest fired his revolver on chance and
broke into run. Already the Mon
gars, disturbed in their evening amuse-
ment were breaking into the under
growth in chase. Quest came to a
standstill. 1t was from Craig's tent
that the beast had issued! When he
reached the meeting place, he found
the professor standing at the corner
with the rest.
From the commotion," he an
nounced, 81 believe that, after all, a
lion has visited the camp. The cries
which we have heard were distinctly
the cries Of native
Quest shook his head
"a lions been here all right" he
said, "and he has finished our little
job for u.s. That was Craig. l saw
him come out of Craig's tent
The professor was dubious.
you see that tree that looks like
dwarfed aloe?'
What about it?"
Craig was lying there ten minutes
ago. He sprang up when he heard
the yells from the encampment, but
l believe he is there now"
Got the horses all right?" Quest
inquired.
Everything is waiting" the profess
sor replied.
III have one more try, then"
Quest declared
He made his way slowly through the
underground to the spot which the
professor had indicated. Close to the
trunk of tree Craig was standing
Feerda was on her knees before him,
Dear master, you shall listen to
your slave These people are your
enemies. 1t would be all over in few
minutes. You have but to say the
word. NY father is eager for it No