The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1915-04-22
PAGE EIGHT

Craig sprang In. no longer the self.
contained, perfect ~man-servant, but
with the face of some wild creature.
His shout was one almost of agony.
"The hut, professor! The hut is on
fire!" he cried.
His appearance OF the threshold
was like a flash. They heard his fly
Ing feet down the hall. and without
a moments hesitation they all fol-
lowed. The professor led the way
down a narrow and concealed path.
but when they reached the little clear
ing in which the hut was situated,
they were unable to approach any
nearer. The place was a whirlwind
Of fame. The smell of kerosene was
almost overpowering. The wild yea
OF the leopard rose above the strange,
half-human gibbering of the monkeys
and the hoarse, bass calling Of anoth-
or voice, at the sound Of which Lee
nora and v 9 Quest s%huddered. Then,
as they came, b~reathless, to a stand
still, they saw a strange thing. One
side of the hut fell In, and almost Inn
mediately the leopard with a mighty
spring, leaped from the place and ran
bowling into the underground. The
monkeys followed but they came
straight for the professor, wriDging
their hands. They fawned at his feet
as though trying to show him their
scorched bodies. Then for a single
YnnrOnnf thnxy uauy tha fNryn ~ fhn I'M
man as he struggled to follow the
others. His strength failed him, how
ever. He fell backwards into the burn
ing chasm.
The professor babe them farewell,
an hour later, on the steps Of the
house. He seemed suddenly to have
aged.
You have done your best, Mr..
Quest" he said, "but fate has been too
strong. Remember this, though. It
Is quite true that the cunning Of Har-
too may have made It possible for
him to have stolen the skeleton and
to have brought 1t back to its hiding
place, but 1t was jealousy-cruel, bru-
tai, foul jealousy which smeared the
walls of that hut with kerosene and
set light to 1t. The work of a life
time, my dreams of scientific immor-
tally, have vanished In those flames"
He turned slowly away from them
and re-entered the house. Quest and
Lenora made their way down the ave-
nue. and entered the automobile which
was waiting for them, almost In a.
lence. The latter glanced toward his
companion, as they drove of.
Say. this has been a bit tough for
you" he remarked. I'll have to call
somewhere and get you a glass of
She tried to smile but her strength
was almost gone. They drove to Q
and sat there for some lit
tie time. Lenora oon recovered her
color. She even had courage to speak
Of the events Of the afternoon when
they re-entered the automobile.
Mr.. Quest" Lenora murmured,
who do you suppose burned the hut
III I don't say Craig. I suppose you
he remarked. II wonder wheth-
or LAura's had any luck"
They yer greeted. as they entered
Quests room. by q familiar little tick
Ing. Quest smiled with pleasure.
TITS the pocket wireless" he de-
LET me take down the mes.
sage"
He spelled It out to Lenora. who
stood by his side:
Have Joined Servants' club disguised as
your butler. Craig frequent visitor here
ten years ago comes now occasionally.
Thursday evenings most likely time. Shall
wait here on chance OF seeing him.
"Good girl, that" Quest remarked.
"She's q rare sticker, too"
He turned away from the instru-
ment and was crossing the room to-
ward his cigar cabinet. Suddenly he
stopped. He looked intcntly towards
the sideboard.
What 10 TT" Lenora asked.
He did not answer. She followed
the direction of his gaze. Exactly In
the same spot as before reposed q