Carrizozo outlook. [volume] (Carrizozo, N.M.) 1910-1945, 1918-02-01
CHAPTER nl-tcontInued.)

face, strike the glass wall opposite
and continue at n right angle, turning
again and ngnin Ms the creature con
tinued on Its steady course. The SEN
satlon was uncnnny. Captain Mas
terman's words came back 10 Donald
~rve brought my specimen home He
was aware Of an impulse 20 bolt. In
etend Of which, however, he concen-
tratcd an his attention on the tank.
Tho movements in the water sub
sided. Donald had the impression that
the invisible creature had stopped and
wns regarding him. He snw n gentle
swirl as n n body stood upright with
IN the tank. Then n sound from the
second tank drew him toward II.
II wns n musical ringing, exactly
like that produced by drawing the
finger tip around the top OF n bowl OF
water--n %long-drawn sound, sweet ana
clear. Donald looked into this tank,
which was open nj the top n not
connected with the apparatus. But he
could see nothing there, either.
He turned bnck TO the first tank,
and all ut once he perceived two black
specks. close together, halfway be-
tween the top Of the water and the
glass roof. Each was about the size
OF n small currnnt, Donald went
nearer. He saw them move. Then he
started backward, overcome with hor-
ror.
The black specks were the pupils OF
n pair Of eyes fixed on his n fol-
lowing them
Like all s%allors, Donald Pnget WINS
not free from superstition. Any known
danger he could have faced bravely.
but this unknown thing wns terribly
ing. He felt his knees give under him.
His impulse was To fly.
He turned. and mt that moment
something descended upon his heo'
and struck him, half conscious, to the
floor.
Dlmly, through the gathering mists.
he made out the form OF n middle
aged boarded man. He saw the I'D
face, the shrewd gray eyes that looked
into his, and recognized MncBeard.
Beside him lay the sandbag with
which the man had felled him.
Unable 20 move, Donald felt Mac
Benrd rlning his pockets n 10y one,
until he came upon the envelope con-
tanning Mnsterman's c~ommunlca, ion.
MncBcard drew It forth with n grunt
and stood up under the gas to exnm'
inc II.
A brief survey satisfied him that he
had found what he was seeking. He
grunted again and looked down ut
Donald. Apparently satisfied with his
work, he turned toward the water
tanks. He must have heard the
splashing OF the monster MS II re-
sumed its j~ourneylngs, for he started
an instant, and then, as II curious,
he drew nearer 10 the first OF the
tanks with the nlr-pipe attachment.
He stood quite still. looking at the
thing In the water. Donald wondered
whether he had discovered II, and
whether he had perceived the eyes.
He knew in n moment. for with a
yell MacBeard started backward. He
stumbled against one OF the palms
and sent II crashing to the floor.
MncBenrd. VINO had fallen with II,
picked himself up and ran IN terror.
Donald heard his footsteps patterlng
along the flags outside. He heard the
slam OF the crenfing gate. He knew
TINT the professor, having obtained
the document, was not likely 10 re
turn. And he could not blame him for
his n%ervousnn,s. for he had almost
done the srUle thing hlmsc&.
Donald staggered 90 his feet,
clutched "a the wall 10 steady himself,
and remalned thus, while the swim.
ming room gradually grew still, The
lieat from the gas.jct fell upon the
water tanks, And, looking NJ the far
ther tank, Donald had a queer lllu.
sion.
He thought ne saw the very misty
oGtlines OF the body Of a beautiful
womnn, the merest shadowy shape
which swan before his eyes and was
gone. aud reappcnred, yelled In a sort
OF prismntic blend OF colorlng.
hut before he had time to convince
himself that II was or was not the
result Of his injury, 10 his horror he
perceived very clearly a cloudy form
beginning 10 take shape within the
nenrer tank.
The outlines grew clearer momen
tnrily. He saw what seemed to b,
the body Of "A hairless monkey. sup
porting itself upon webbed feet. OF
flnppers. Budding out from tho sieei
were two similar arms, the webbet