Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-02-17

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 a spring. There
was wild hatred in its closest eyes.
the snarl of something tiendlike in its
contorted mouth. Quest slipped quick.
ly through the door.
Anyone may have that for q pet!'
he remarked grimly. Come. Lenora,
there's a word or two to be said to the
professor. There's something here will
need a little explanation"
He lit a cigar as they struggled back
along the path. Presently they reached
the untidy-looking avenue. and = few
minutes later arrived at the house.
Quest searched in vain for a 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. Wen 90 in and wait.
L.enora.'
They found their way to the study.
which seemed to be the only habitable
room. Lenora glanced around ut its
strange contents with an expression al.
most Of awe.
A small motor car passed the win.
dow, driven by Craig. The professor
descended, \. 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 lot at
home to receive you. Tell NEEDN'T
keep me in suspense, if you please
you have discovered my skeleton"
we have found the skeleton" Quest
announced.
For a single moment the newcomer
stood as though turned to stone.
My skeleton" he murmured. MIR.
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"
We found the skeleton, professor"
Quest replied, within a hundred yards
of this house"
The professors mouth was wide
open. lie looked like a bewildered
child. 1t was several seconds before
he spoke.
Within a hundred yards of this
house? Then it wasn't stolen by one
Of ny rivals?"
Il should say not" Quest admitted.
where? exactly did you find it"
the professor insisted.
Il found it in a hut" Quest said,
hidden in a piano box. I found there.
also, a creature-a human being. l
must call HMM a state of cap
tivity."
Hidden in IA 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. MIR. Ashleigh, before we
90 any further | must ask yol for an
explanation Us to the presence Of that
person i'll your grounds"
Tho professor hesitated for a mo.
ment. Then he slowly crossed the
room. opened the drawer Of Il small
%escritoire. and drew out a letter.
You have heard of Sir William
Raysmore. the president CT the Royal
society,"" he asked.
Quest nodded.
This letter is from him." the pro-
fcssor continued. You had better
read it."
The criminologist read it aloud. Le-
nora looked over his shoulder:
Tn rror Edgar Ashlcigh. New York.
Ny Dear Professor: Your cominunica-
tiun grhtiiies and amazes me. l can say
the skeleton OF the anthropoid, a marvel
Gus thing. In its way. and needing only
its %corulIary to form the greatest discov-
cry since tn" dark ages. Now YOU tell
M. that in the person of Hlrtuo. the last
Of the Inya,no race Of South America, you
hnv" found that cOrollaT?. You have SUD-
piled the missing link. You are in a po-
si,ion to give To the world IL definite and
logical explanation of H." evolution OF
man. Let Inc give yo,i one word OF warn
ing. professor. before I write you ut
greater length on the matter. Anthro-
biologists are afflicted more. even, than any
other race of scientific men. with jealousy.
Guard your secret well. lest the honor of
his 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 a
months time my papers will be ready.
Then ! shall electrify the world. l
shall write not a new page but a new
volume across the history Of science.
I shall"
The door was suddenly thrown open.
tricity did not mean an cxplosion the