Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-06-17

The Hut Is on Fire!"
You need sleep no longer" Quest
said. Wake up and be yourself"
The effect of these words was in
Simultaneous. Almost as he spoke, the
creature crouched for spring There
was wild hatred in its closest eyes.
the smart OF something fiendlike in it's
contorted mouth. Quest Slipped quick
ly through the door.
Anyone may have that for a petit"
he remarked grimly. Come. Lenora.
there's word or two to be said to the
professor. There's something here will
need a little explanation"
He lit cigar as they struggled back
along the path. Presently they reached
the untidy-looking avenue, and q few
minutes later arrived at the house
Quest searched in vain for bell
They walked round the piazza. There
were no signs of any human life. They
came back to the front door Quest
tried the handle and found i. open.
They passed into the hall.
Hospitable sort of place. anyway"
he remarked. We'll go in and wait,
Lenora."
They found their way to the study.
which seemed to be the only habitable
room. Lenora glanced around at its
strange contents with an expression al
most of awe.
A small motor car passed the win
dow. driven by Craig. The professor
descended A moment or two later he
entered the room. He gaZed from
Quest to Lenora at first in blank sur
prise. Then he held out his hands.
you have good news for me, my
friends!" he exclaimed. Il am sure of
it. How unfortunate that was not at
home to receive you! Tell NEEDN'T
keep me in suspense, if you please
you have discovered my skeleton?"
1--WE have found the skeleton" Quest
announced.
For single moment the newcomer
| stood as though turned to stone.
My skeleton!" he murmured. "Mr.
Quest, knew it. You are the great
est man alive. Now tell me quickly
want to know everything, but this
first Of all. Where did you find the
! skeleton? Who was the thief?"
1--WE found the skeleton, professor"
Quest replied, within a hundred yards
of this house,"
The professors mouth was wide
open. He looked like a bewildered
child. 1t was several seconds before
he spoke.
Within hundred yards of this
house? Then it wasn't stolen by one
of my rivals?"
Il should say not" Quest admitted.
Where? exactly did you find it?"
the professor insisted.
Il found it In hut" Quest said,
hidden i'll piano box. found there,
also, creature-a human being,
must call HMM state of cap
tivity.''
Hidden in piano boX?" the pro-
fessor repeated wonderingly. "Why.
you mean in Hartoo's sleeping box.
them"
IF Mr.. Hartoo is the gentleman who
tried to club me, you are right Quest
admitted. Mr. Ashleigh. before we
go any further must ask you for an
explanation as to the presence of that
person in your grounds"
The professor hesitated for mo-
ment. Then he slowly crossed the
room, opened the drawer of small
escritoire, and drew out a letter.
You have heard of Sir William
Raysmore. the president of the Royal
society,"" he asked.
Quest nodded.
This letter is from him." the pro-
fessor continued. you had better
read 1t"
The crminologist read it aloud. Lee
nora looked over his shoulder:
To Prof Edgar Ashleigh. New York.
My Dear Professor: Your communica-
ton gratitles and amazes me. 1 can say
the skeleton of the anthropoid. a marvel
Gus thing, III Its way, and needing only
its corollary to form the greatest discov-
cry since the dark ages. Now you tell
OF the lnyamo race of South America, you
have found that corollary. You have sup
piled the missing link. You are in po-
sition to give to the world definite and
logical explanation of the evolution of
man. Let me give you one word of warm
Ing, professor. before I write you at
greater length on the matter. Anthro-
biologists are afflicted more, even, than any
other race of scientific men, with jealousy.
Guard your secret we'll. lest the honor of
this discovery should be stolen from you.
WILLIAM RAYSMORE.
The professor nodded deliberately
as Quest finished the letter.
Now, perhaps you can understand"
he said, why it was necessary to keep
Hartoo absolutely hidden. In
months time my papers will be ready.
Then l shall electrify the world.
Shall write not a new page but new
volume across the history Of science.
shall" Il
The door was suddenly thrown open.'