The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-12-06

worked from MS pocket as ne assisted
In lowering the sling that contained
the old woman Owe the steamers side,
nor did he notice 1t even as 1t slipped
out entirely and dropped into the sea.
Scarcely had the boat containing the
boy and the old woman started for the
shore than Conlon hailed a canoe on
the other side of the ship and after
bargaining with It's owner finally low
cred his baggage and himself aboard.
Once ashore he kept out Of sight OF
the two story atrOclty that bore the
legend hotel" to lure unsuspecting
wayfarers to its many discomforts.
1t was quite dark before he ventured
to enter and range for accommOda-
tons.
In a back Don Upon the second floor
the lad was explaining not without
considerable difficulty to his grand
mother that he had decided to return
to England upon the mex steamer. He
was ~endeavoring to make 1t plain to
the old lady hat she might remain In
Africa If she wished, but that for his
part his conscience demanded that he
return to his father and mother, who
doubtless were ever now suffering In
told sorrow because of his absence,
from which 1t may be assumed that
his parents had not been acquainted
with the plans that he and the old lady
had made for their adventure into
African wilds.
Having come to a decision, the lad
felt a sense of relief from the worry
that had haunted him for many sleep
less nights. When he closed his eyes
fin sioep IL was TO dream of Il happy
reunion with those at home. and as he
dreamed, Fate, cruel and igcXOrable,
crept stealthily upon him through the
dark corridor of the sQualid building
In which he slept-Fate in the form OF
the American crook Conlon.
Cautiously the nan approached the
door of the lads room. There he
crouChed, listening, until assured by
the regular breathing of those within
that both slept.
Quietly he inserted a slim skeleton
key in the lock Of the door. With deft
fingers, long accustomed to the silent
manipulation of the bars and bolts that
guarded other mems property, COnlon
turned the key and the knob simulta-
neously. Gentle pressure upon the door
swung it slowly inward upon it's
hinges. The man entered the room,
closing the door behind him.
The moon was temporarily overcast
by heavy clouds. The interior of the
apartment was shrouded in gloom.
Conlon CROPPED his way toward the bed.
In the far corner of the room some.
thing moved-mOved with a silent
stealthiness which transcribed even
the trained silence of the burglar.
Conlon heard nothing. His attention
vas riveted upon the bed, in which he
thought to find a young boy and his
helpless, invalid grandmother.
The American sought only the bank
roll. If he could possess himself Of
this without detection, well and good,
but were he to meet resistance he was
prepared for that too. The lads
clothes lay across a chair beside the
bed.
The Americans fingers felt swiftly
through them-the pockets contained
no roll of crisp, new notes. Doubtless
they were beneath the pillows of the
bed.
He stepped closer toward the sleep
err; his hand was already halfway be-
meath the pillow when the thick cloud
that had obscured the moon rolled
aside and the was flooded with
light. AT the same instant the boy
opened his eyes and looked straight
into those of Conlon. The man was
suddenly conscious that the boy was
alone in the bed. Then he clutched
for his victims throat.
AS the lad rose to meet him Conlon
heard a low growl at his back, then
he felt his wrists seized blythe boy and
realized that beneath those tapering
white fingers played muscles of steel.
He felt other hands at his throat,
rough, hairy hands that reached over
his shoulders from behind. He cast
a terrified glance backward. and the
hairs of his head stiffened at the sight
his eyes revealed, for grasping him
from the rear was a huge. manlike ape.
The barred fighting fangs Of the an
thropoid were close to his throat. The
lad pinioned his wrists. Neither ut
tered a sound.
Where was the grandmother? Con-
Ions eyes swept the room in u single,
all inclusive glance. His eyes bulged
In horror at the realization Of the
truth which that glance revealed. In
the power Of what creatures of hideous
mystery had he placed himself?
Frantically he fought to beat off the
boy so he could turn upon the fear
some thing at his back. Freeing one
hand. he struck q savage blow at the
lads face.
His act seemed to unloose q thou
sand devils In the hairy creature,
clinging to his throat. COnlon heard q
low and savage snarl. It was the last
thing that the American yer heard In
this life. Then he was dragged back
wyord ,,Dou tho 4Oop n hoavv hOdv fall