Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-13

speaking at venture, that Dick
Wentworth and his wife are at this
moment in the house over there?"
"Wen?"
"Well, my idea," continued Keith,
lis that you and he and l should oil
have n good talk tomorrow and try to
get to the bottom of ali this and see il
we cant hit on some settlement. What
do you say:'
Il suppose that is meant to be
funny" snarlcd the stranger, "and
eau tell you IN not fond of jokes"
II am quite serious" answered
Keith. though with a feeling that his
suggestion had not been a very happy
one.
"Do you know what I'm beginning
to think" asked the stranger presently.
"What?"
"Why, that you know absolutely
nothing about the whole business, and
are just trying TO shove in to see what
you can make for yourself.'
"Oh, you think that, do you?' said
Keith, more than little disconnected
by guess that ran SO very near the
truth.
"Ics. and ] tell you again that is
dangerous game to play, very dan
gcrous. very dangerous indeed. In
fnrt ~
lie broke of to whistle suddenly and
Shrilly; and at the same instant that
Iprotubcrancc Keith had noticed on the
branch above his head. and had taken
! for some natural swelling of the wood,
detached itself and fell straight upon
/ him, alighting heavily and with force
! upon his back and shoulders.
Under the weight and the uncxpect-
cdncSs of the impact he went crashing
to the ground, with that which had
fallen upon him clinging to his shoul-
dcrs. He tried to struggle, but swift
and fierce blow on the side of his head
shook him into Inconsistencies and
when he began to recover his senses it
was to find himself lying on his back,
his hands held behind him. his arms
pressed close to his side by cords drawn
tightly round and about his body. He
was a prisoner and utterly helpless, for
he could hardly move a muscle of his
body, and as he lay and blinked bewil
deredly-for it had all happened SC
swiftly he hardly realized his position
at the stars above, he heard the
strangers voice ask:
Have you got him safe?'
kind of inarticulatc grunt sounded
in answer and seemed to be accepted al
an affirmative.
'Good,' the voice came again, 9Th,
fool has only himself to thank. | didn',
want any trouble; it only means NOR,
risk. But he would have it and h,
might be dangerous now. Well, yol
know what to do?'
Again there sounded that inarticulat
and bestial grunt that seemed to COM
from no human throat, and yet was full
of understanding-and of menace.
Good night, then" said tn
stranger. "And good night, Mr.. Keith
in case we never meet again.
lie laughed softly, and Keith coul,
still hear him laughing softly and wick
cdIy to himself as his footsteps die,
away into the quiet night.
For moment or two Keith Law still
| and then he tried to struggle, but hi
| bonds held him straightly and he coul
not. He opened his mouth to cry alou
| for help, but at once an enormous hand
| hairy and repulsive, was pressed upo
his lips. lie realized that he was lef
alone and helpless, and utterly in tn
| power of whatever being it was tina
haunted this wood wherein the commo
story went that many people mysteri
| ously vanished, never more to be seen O
the face of the earth.
(TO BE CONTINUED