OREflONCITYENTERPMRR. KIMDAV, AIMMI, 2, 1SII.1.
The Olack: Oojr
Mr
..L - '
"Stoltnl" Mr. Rhlnhldt Shrieked.
had admitted Cralf. "tak Professor
Ashleljb' ervnt Into th kitchen
nd sew that be bu ometblo( before
be leave tor bom. Now, profeMor,
If you will com this way."
They reached a llttl room In the
far corner of the bouse. Mr. Rheln
boldt apologtxed a h iwltcbed on
th electric lights.
"It U a queer little plac to bring
you to," lb Mid. "but my husband
used to spend many bour her, and
be would never allow anything to D
mored. Tou se, th fpeclmen ar in
theia cupi."
The profeor nodded. HI general
atutud toward th forthcoming ex
hibition wat merely on of polltene.
A th flnt cue opened, bowerer, bl
manner completely changed. Without
taking th slightest further notice of
bla boiteaf, he adjuated a pair of born
rimmed ipectaclea and commenced to
mumble eagerly to hlmaelf. Mr.
Rhelnholdt. who did not nndentand a
word, itrolled around th apartment,
yawned and finally Interrupted a little
(ream of eulogie. not a word of
which ih nndentood. concerning a
green beetle with yellow ipota.
"I am 10 glad you are Interested,
professor." she ald. "If you don't
mind. I will rejoin my guests. Tou
will find a shorter way back If you
keep along th passage straight ahead
and come through th conservatory."
"Certainly! With pleasure!" the
professor agreed, without glancing up.
Mr. Rhelnholdt' reception, not
withstanding th temporary absence
of It presiding spirit, wa without
doubt an unqualified success. In one
of th distant room the younger peo
ple were dancing. Philip Rhelnholdt,
with a pretty young debutant upon
bl arm, cam out from the dancing
room and looked around amongst the
HtUe knots of people.
"I wonder where mother Isr he re
market "She told me"
The young man broke off In the
middle of his sentence. He, too, like
many others In the room, felt a sud
den thrill almost of horror at the
sound which rang without warning
upon their ear a woman's cry, a
cry of fear and horror. Mrs. Rheln
holdt, her bands clasping ber neck,
ber splendid composure a thing of
the past, a panlcetrlcken, terrified
woman, stumbled Into the room. She
seemed on the point of collapse.
Somehow or other, they got her Into
an easy chair.
"My Jewels!" she cried. "My dia
monds!" "What do you mean, mother?" Phil
lip Rhelnholdt asked quickly. "Hate
you loBt them?"
"Stolen!" Mrs. Rhelnholdt shrieked.
"Stolen there In the conservatory!"
They gazed at her open-mouthed. In
credulous. Then a still, quiet voice
from the outside of the little circle
Intervened.
"Instruct your servants, Mr. Rheln
holdt, to lock and bar all the doors of
the house," the professor suggested.
"No one must leave It until we have
heard your mother's story."
"I had Just taken the professor Into
the little room my husband UBed to
call the museum," Mrs. Rhelnholdt
explained, her voice still shaking with
agitation. "I left him there to exam
ine some specimens of beetles. I
thought that I would come back
through the conservatory, which Is
the quickest way. I was about half
way across it when suddenly I heard
the switch go behind me and all the
electric lights were turned out I
couldn't imagine what had happened.
While I hesitated I saw"
She broke down again. There was
no doubt about the genuineness of her
terror.
'1 saw a pair of hands Just hands
no arms nothing but hands come
out of the darkness! They gripped
me by the throat, I suppose it was
Just for a second. I think I lost con
sciousness for a moment, although I
was still standing up. The next thing
I remember is that I found myself
shrieking and running here and the
Jewels are gone!"
"Tou saw no one?" her son asked
Incredulously. "Tou heard nothing?"
"I heard no footsteps, I saw no one,"
Mrs. Rhelnholdt repeated. The pro
fessor turned away.
If you will allow me," he begged,
-I am going to telephone to my friend,
Mr Bmfojd Quest, therlmlnologist
An affair so unusual as this might at
tract him. Tou will excuse mc"
1 Th nrnfessor met the great crimln-
ologist and his assistant in tne nau
unon their arrival. He took the for
- -. .. .1
mer at one by the arm.
"Mr. Quest," he began, "In a sense
I must apologize for my peremptory
message. I am well aware that an or
dinary Jewel robbery does not Inter
est you, but In thl case the circum
stances are extraordinary. I ventured,
therefore, to summon your aid."
(Continued from p 4 t
TL. J V"
"Stolen Thr In th Conservatory!"
Sanford Quest nodded shortly.
"As a rule" b said. "I do not car
to take up on affair until I hav a
clean slat. There's your skeleton
still bothering m. profor. How
ever, wher' th lady wbo was
robbed r
"I will tak you to her." th profes
sor replied.
Mr. Rhelnholdt' tory, by frequent
repetition, bad becom a little mor
coherent, a trill mor circumstantial,
th perfection of simplicity and utter
ly Incomprehensible. Quest listened to
It without remark and finally mad
his way to th conservatory. H re
quested Mrs. Rhelnholdt to walk with
him through th door by which she
bad entered and stop at th prects
spot wher th assault had been made
upon ber. There were on or two
plant knocked down from th tier
on th right-hand aide, and some dis
turbance In th mold where some large
palms were growing. Quest and Le
nora together made a close Investi
gation of the spot Afterwards. Quest
walked several times to each of th
door leading Into th gardens.
Tber are four entrance alto
gether," he remarked, a be lit a cigar
and glanced around th place. "Two
lead Into the gardens one is locked
and the other Isn't one connects with
the back cf th bouse the one through
which you came, Mrs. Rhelnholdt and
th other leads Into your reception
room. Into which you passed after the
assault I shall now be glad If you
will permit me to examine the gardens
outside for a few minutes, alont with
my assistant. If you please."
For almost a quarter of an bour
Quest and Lenora disappeared. They
all looked eagerly at the criminologist
on hi return.
"It seems to me," he remarked,
that from the back part of the house
the quickest way to reach Mayton ave
nue would be through this conserva
tory and out of that door. This Is a
path leading from Just outside straight
to a gate In the walL Does anyone
that you know of use this means of
exit?"
Mrs. Rhelnholdt shook her bead.
"The servants might occasionally,"
she remarked doubtfully, "but not on
nights when I am receiving."
The butler stepped forward. He was
looking a little grave.
"I ought, perhaps, to Inform you,
madam, and Mr. Quest" he said, "that
I did, only a short time ago, suggest
to the professor's servant the man
who brought your mackintosh, sir," he
added, turning to the professor "that
he could, If he chose, make use of this
means of leaving the house. Mr. Craig
la a personal friend of mine, and a
member of a very select little club we
have for social purposes."
"Did he follow your suggestion?"
Sanford Quest asked.
"Of that I am not aware, sir," the
butler replied. "I left Mr. Craig with
some refreshment expecting that .he
would remain until my return, but a
few minutes later I discovered that he
had left. I will Inquire in the kitchen
If anything is known as to his move
ments." He hurried off. Quest turned to the
professor.
"Has he been with you long, this
man Craig, professor?" he asked.
The professor's smile was Illuminat
ing, his manner simple but convincing.
"Craig," he asserted, "is the best
servant, the most honest mortal who
ever breathed. He would go any dis
tance out of his way to avoid harming
a fly. I cannot even trust him to pro
cure for me the simplest specimens of
Insect life. Apart from this, he Is a
man of some property, which he has
no Idea what to do with. He is, I
think I may say, too devoted to me to
dream of ever leaving my service.
"Tou tilck it would be out of the
question, then," Quest asked, "to asso
ciate him with the crime?"
The professor's confidence was
lublime.
"I could more readily associate you,
myself or young Mr. Rhelnholdt here
with the affair," he declared.
His words carded weight The little
breath of suspicion against the pro
fessor's servant faded away. In a mo
ment or -two the butler returned.
"It appears, madam,' he announced,
that Mr. Craig left when there was
only one person In the kitchen. He
said good night and closed the door be
hind him. It Is Impossible to say,
therefore, by which exit he left the
bouse, but personally I am convinced
that, knowing of the reception here to
night, he would not think of using the
conservatory."
"Most unlikely, I should say," th
professor murmured. "Craig Is a very
shy man. He Is at all times at your
disposal. Mr. Quest IX yoa should
desire to question him."
Quest nodded absently.
"My assistant and I." he announced.
"would t glad lo Baal a further a
mlnstloa of th conservatory, if yoa
ill kindly ! us alun."
Thry obyr4 without demur. Quest
took a Seat and smoked caltuly, with
his eye Used upon lb roof. Lenora
went back to br rianilnstlon of lb
ovrrturned plants, th mold and th
hoi ground within th Immedtat
environs of th siult tibe abandoned
lb srarrh at last, however, and ram
back to QueeC side. II threw aiy
bis rlrir and mi.
Nothing there r b aeked laconic
ally.
"Not a thing." l enora admitted.
Queet M th way toward th door,
"lenora." be decided, "w i up
against something big. Tber a Dew
hand at work somewher."
Wa theories yet, Mr. Queet?" sh
eked, smiling.
"Not th ghost of on," b admitted
gloomily.
Along th rainswept causeway of
Mayton avenu', keeping doe lo th
belter of th house, bl macklutosh
turned up to bl ears, bl bands burled
In bl pockets, a man walked swiftly
along. At every block he hesitated
and looked aroundhlm. Ills manner
was cautious, almost furtive. One
the glar of an electric light fell upon
hi face, a fare pallid with fear, al
most hopeless with detpalr. II
walked quickly, yet he seemed to hav
no I'd as to direction. Suddenly h
paused. II was passing a great build
Ins. brilliantly lit Por a moment b
thought that It was aoni plac of en
tertatniuent Th thought of enterln
seemed to occur to btm. Then be foil
a firm touch upon bis arm. a man In
uniform spok to blm.
"Step Inside, brother," b Invited
earnestly, almost eagerly, nolwltn
standing bl monotonous nasal twang
Step Insid and And peace. Step In
side and tbe Lord will belp you. Throw
your burden away on tbe threshold.
Th man' first Impulse at being ad
dressed had seemed to b on of terror.
Then he recognised th uniform and
hesitated. Th man took him by th
arm and led blm In. There wer th
best part of a hundred people taking
their place after th atnging of th
hymn. A girl was standing up befor
them on a platform. Sh wa com'
menctng to speak, but suddenly brok
off. Sh held out ber arm to wber
th professor' confidential servant
stood hesitating.
"Come and tell us your sins," ah
called out "Com and hav them for
given. Com and start a new Ufa In
new world. There 1 no on ber
w ho thinks of th past Com and seek
forgiveness."
For a moment tbe waif from tbe
rain swept world hesitated. The light
"Confess Your 81ns."
of an Infinite desire flashed In his eyes.
Then he dropped his bead. These
things might be for others. For him
there was no hope. He shook bis head
to the girl, but sank Into the nearest
seat and on to his knees.
"He repents!" the girl called out
Some day he will come! Brothers and
sisters, we will pray for htm."
The rain dashed against the win.
dows. Tbe only other sound from out
side waa the clanging of the street
cars. Tbe girl's voice, frenzied, ex
horting, almost hysterical, pealed out
to the roof. At every pause the little
gathering of men and women groaned
In sympathy. The man's frame was
shaken with sobs.
THE POCKET WIRELESS.
CHAPTER VIII.
Mr. Sanford Quest sat In his favorite
chair, his cigar Inclined toward the
left-hand corner of his mouth, his at
tention riveted upon a small instru
ment which he was supporting upon
his knee. He glanced across the room
to where Lenora was bending over
ber desk.
"We've done It this time, young
woman," he declared triumphantly.
"It's all O. K working like a little
peach."
Lenora rose and came toward him.
"Is that the pocket wireless?"
He nodded.
"I've had Morrison out at Harlem
all tbe morning to test It," he told
her. "I've sent him at least half a
dozen messages from this easy chair,
and got the replies. How are you get
ting on with the code?"
"Not so badly for a stupid person,"
Lenora replied.
Laura, who had been busy with
some papers at tbe farther end of
the room, came over and Joined them.
"Say, It's a dandy little affair, that,
Mr. QueBt," she exclr lined. "I bad a
try with It, a day or so ago. Jim spoke
to me from Fifth avenue."
"We've got It tuned to a shade now,"
Quest declared. "Equipped with this
simple little device, you can speak
to me from anywhere up to ten or a
dozen miles."
Quest rose to bis feet and moved
restlessly about tbe room.
"Say, girls," he confessed, "this Is
the first time In my life I have been
In a fix like this. Two cases on hand
and nothing doing with either of them.
-Jl
p. J
Criminologist, Indeed' Wbo bo(
I thlsT
Quest bad paused su.M. nlr In n
of oak (Meboard hUh siood
against th wall. twuiing a l
linn upoa It of nm prominence
small black bos, who preienr
there seemed to him unfamiliar.
I aura ram over lo his sll and
looked at It also In pun I'd fshlun
"Never saw It before In mf IK.
she answered.
Quest grunted.
"M m! No on el hss been In
lb room, and It ban l been empty
for mor than ten minute," he r
marked. "Well, let' - what Inside,
anyway"
II lifted off tbt lid There wa
nothing In Ih Interior but a sh
of paper folded up Quest smoothed
It out with bis band. They all leaned
over and read th following words,
written In an obviously dlegulsed
band:
T"U hsve emrkr.1 en f ilo.lr
anlhntMlfnv What rhr leiuu sink.
mil nel foivltii In cnn. " will li r
"unnltuT Th iikliii mil' I t hrt
lb ekfUlun la. Whir not Uf in al Hie
ginning '
Th not wa unsigned, but In Ih
spot wher a signature might hav
been tber was a roub pen drawing
of two band, with firmer tttended.
talon fashion, menacingly. though
poised lo strlk at som unseen en
emy. Quest, after thrlr first moment
of stupefaction. whUtled softly.
"Th bands!" h muttered.
"What bands?" Lenora asked.
Th band that gripped Mr. Itheln
boldt by th throat," he reminded
them. "Don't you remember? Hand
without arm?"
There wa another brli'f, almost stu
pefied sllenc. Then Laura broke Into
speech.
"What ! want to know Is." sh de
manded, "who brought th thing
hrr
"A most daring exploit, anyway,'
Quest declared. "If we could answer
your question. Laura, w could solv
th whole rlddl. W ar up against
something, and no mistake."
"Th band which placed that box
ther," Quest continued lowly, "I
capabl of even mor wonderful
thing. W must be cautious Hello!"
Th door bad opened. The profes-
or stood upon the threshold.
"I trust that I have don right la
coming up?" b Inquired.
Quit right professor." Quest as
sured blm. "They know well enough
downstairs that I am always at bom
to you. Com In."
"1 am so anxious to learn." th pro-
r continued eagerly, "whether
there Is any new of my skeleton-
Not yet professor. I am orry to
say," Quest replied. "Com In and shu,t
th door."
"There I a young lady here." he
said, "who caught me up upon the
landing. She, too. I believe, wishes
to see you."
He threw open the door and stood
on one side. A young woman came
a little hesitatingly Into tbe room. Her
hair waa plainly brushed back, and
she wore the severe dress of tbe Sal
vation Army.
Want to see mt, young lady?"
Quest asked.
She beld out a book.
"My name I Miss Qulgg," she said.
I want to ask you for a subscrip
tion to our funds,"
Quest frowned a little.
"Very well. Miss Qulgg, you shall
have a donation. I am busy today, but
call at the same hour tomorrow and
my secretary shall have a check ready
for you."
The girl smiled her gratitude.
The professor laid bis band upon
her arm as she passed.
"Toung lady." be observed, "you
seem very much In earnest about your
work."
It Is only the people In earnest,
sir," she answered, "who can do any
good In the world. My work is worth
being In earnest about"
"Tou compel my admiration. My
rnwst respectful admiration. May I,
too, be permitted?"
He drew out a pocketbook and
passed over toward her a little wad of
notes.
It Is so kind of you," she mur
mured. "We never have any hesita
tion In accepting money. May I' know
your name?"
It Is not necessary," the professor
answered. "You can enter me, he
added, as he bold open tbe door for
her, "as a friend or would you prefer
pseudonym?"
"A pseudonym, if you please," she
begged. "We have so many who send
us sums of money as friends. Anything
will do."
The professor glanced around the
rocm.
"What pseudonym shall I adopt?"
he ruminated. "Shall I say that an oak
sideboard gives you five hundred dol
lars Or a Chippendale sofa? Or,"
he added, bis eyes resting for a mo
ment upon the little box, "a black
box?"
The two girls from the other side of
the table started. Even Quest swung
suddenly around. The professor, as
though pleased With his fancy, nodded
as his fingers played with the lid.
"Tea, that will do very nicely," he
decided. "Put me down 'Black Box,'
five hundred dollars."
The girl took out her book and be
gan to write. Tbe professor, with a
little farewell bow, crossed the room
toward Quest. Lenora moved toward
the door. '
"Let me see you out," she said to
the girl pleasantly.
Lenora opened the door. Both girls
started. Only a few feet away Craig
was standing, his bead a little thrust
forward. For a moment the quiet self
respect of his manner seemed to have
deserted him. He seemed at a loss for
words. i
"What do you want?", Lenora de
manded. "I was waiting for my master,"
Craig explained.
"Why not downstairs?" Lenora
asked suspiciously, "Tou did not come
nil with him "
"1 am driving tbe professor In his
automobile," Craig explained. It oc
curred to me that If he were going to
be long here I should have time to go
and order another tire. It Is of no
consequence, though. I will go down
and wait In the car." -Lenora
stood at the top of the stairs
nd wstrhed hi in disappear. Then sh
weut tboiiihltulljr baik to ber work
Th prufrtaor nd Quest wei talking
at ih farther cod of lb room.
"I SS In bopra. In great hopes," Ih
protVeior dlmltied. "thai you might
hav beard something. I pimnlied lo
rati l Mr, liheinholdl thl alter
BOOB."
Quest shook bl brad.
Tber Is nothing la report st pres
ent. Mr AttiU'lgh," be aiiiioum ed
"lear me," ih professor in u r mured,
"this Is very disappointing. Is Ihei
no clue, Mr. Quest o clue at all?"
"Not a shoal of one," Quest arknowl.
edged "I am far (iff soltllig Ih
mystery of the disappearance of ynur
skeleton snd Mr Ithelnholdt'f ne k
lac a I hav aver been "
Th pm'eesor look a courteous leav
of the in l and departed. I.einira
crveied ih room to wber Qut s
seated.
Mr. Queet." sh asked, "do you be
lle I Inspiration?" n. I
"I attribute a Isrg amount of my
ucfea. Quest replied, "lo Bir lift
found belief In It."
Then let m toll you." Lenora con
tinued, "that 1 hav tine, and a very
trong one Do you know lhal when
I went to Ih door a few minute sgo
rn professor servant Craig.
there, listening V
Inspector French hss bad his men
watching Craig ever sine Ih night of
Ih robbery." quietly remarked Quest.
what that? Answer Ih telephone.
Ignore."
1-enore obeyed.
"If Inspector French," sh n-
nounred. "II want lo speak lo
you.
Quest nodded and beld out bl band
for lb receiver.
"Hello. French!" b exclaimed.
Anything fresh?"
"Nothing much," waa Ih answer.
On of my men, though, who bas
been up Mayton avnu way, brought
In something I found rather Interest
ing thl morning. I want you to com
round and se It"
"Oo right ahead and 111 me about
It" Quest Invited.
Tou know w"v been shadowing
Craig." lb Inspector continued. "Not i
much luck up till now. Fellow seem
never to leav bla master's aid. W
hav bad a woupl of man up ther,
though, and on of them brought In a
curious looking object b picked up
Just outside th back et th professor's
grounds."
"What Is Ih thing?" Quest asked.
"Well. I want yoa to e whether
you agre with m." Franch went on.
If you can't com round, I'll com to
you."
Ne necessity," Quest replied.
We've got over little difficulties of
that sort Laura, Just tack on th
hototcleame," he added, holding the
receiver away for a moment "One
moment, French. Tber that' right."
he added, as Laurs, with deft fingers
arranged what seemed lo be a
senslttxed mirror -to the Instru
ment "Now, French, bold up the
article Just In front of the re
ceiver. There, that's right Hold
It steady. I've got the focus of It
Say. French, where did you say
that waa found?"
"Just outside th professor' bark
gat." French grunted. "But you'r not
kidding me"
It's a finger from th professor'
skeleton you've got there," Quest In
terrupted. Quest hung up the receiver. Than
he turned toward bl two assistant.
Another finger from the profes
sors skeleton, be announced, has
been found Just outside his grounds.
What do you suppoae that means?"
Craig," Lenora declared confi
dently.
Craig on your life." Laura echoed.
Say. Mr. Quest I've got an Idea"
Quest nodded.
"Go right -uhead with It"
"Didn't the butler at Mrs. Rheln
holdt's say that Craig belonged to a
servant's club up town? I know the
place well. Let me go and see If I
can't Join and pick up a little Informa
tion about the mnn. He must have a
night out sometimes. Let's find out
what he does? How's that?"
"Capital!" Quest agreed. "Get along,
Laura. And you, Lenora," he added,
"put on your bat We'll take a rid
towards Mayton avenue."
CHAPTER IX.
The exact spot where tbe bones of
the missing skeleton was discovered,
was easily located. It was about
twenty yards from a gate which led
Into tbe back part of the professor's
grounds. Quest wasted very little
time before arriving at a decision.
"Tbe discovery of the bones so
near the professor's home," be decid
ed, "cannot be coincidence only. We
will waste no time out here, Lenora.
We will search the grounds. Come
on."
It was hard to know which way to
turn. Every path was choked with
tangled weeds and bushes. They wan-
all;
H1-
13
In Front of Them Crouched an
recognizable Creatur.
ten
dered about almost aimlessly for near
ly half an bour. Then Quest came
1q a sudden standstill. Lenora gripped
laisnawa. T - - mm
sa. i
his aim. The bad both b's'd Ih
sain sound- queer, nooning cry,
balf plaluili. bslf angry.
"Mul IhalT he (iitalined.
l.ruora still clung to bl arm.
"I bat this place." sh whlipered.
"II Unifies in. What ar look
ing fur, Mr. Quest?"
"Can't say thai I smr iftly." ih
latter answered, "but I guess Wall
find out wher Ihst rry ram front.
Hound, d to m uncommonly Ilk a b
niaa effort"
They bad mad Ihulr way up a
mil; mx - ;
i V, . : " v - x .
!
1w i
"Th Hut, Professor!
far a lb hedge, which they skirted
for a few yard until they found an
opening Then Quest gav vent lo a
llttl iclamallon. Immediately In
front of tbem was a small but, built
apparently of sticks and bamboos.
Ith a stronger framework behind.
Th doping roof was grass grown and
entwined with rushe. Theonlyauol
ogy fur a window was a queer llttl
hoi set quit clos to th roof.
Ther wa a rude looking door, but
Quest, on trying It, found It locked.
They walked around lb place, but
found no other opening. All Ih II m
from Insid they could bear queer
scuffling sound. Lenora' cheek
grew paler.
"Must w stay?" ah murmured. "1
don't think I want to so what's In
side, Mr. Questl Mr. Quest!"
Bh clung to bis arm. They wer
opposlt lb llttl apertur which
served as a window, and at that mo
ment It suddenly framrd th fc of
a creature, human In feature, dlsboll
cat In expression.
Say, that's soma face!" b re
marked. "I'd bat lo spoil It"
Even as be spoke It disappeared.
"W'v got to get Insid ther.
Lenora," h announced, stepping for
ward.
Sh followed blm silently. A tew
turns of tbe wrist and th door yield
ed. Keeping Lenora a little behind
him. Quest gated around eagerly. Ex
actly in front of him, clad only In a
loin cloth, with hunched up shoulder,
a nocklar around It neck, with bias
ing eye and ugly, gleaming teeth,
crouched some unrecognisable crea
ture, human, yet Inhuman, a monkey,
and yet a man. There were a couits
of monkeys swinging by their tails
from a bar, and a leopard chained to
a staple in tbe grouud, walking
round and round In tbe far corner,
snapping and snarling every tlm
be glanced towards th uewcom
era Tb creatur In front of him
stretched out a hairy band towards
a club, and gripped It Quest drew a
long breath. Ills oyes were set bard.
"Drop that club," be ordered.
The creature suddenly sprang up.
Tbe club wss waved around his head.
"Drop It," Quost repeated firmly.
"Tou will sit down In your corner. Tou
will Bleep."
Tbe club slipped from the hairy fin
gers. The tense frame, which had
boon already crouched for the spring,
was suddenly relaxed. Tbe knees
trembled.
"Back to that corner," Quost or
dered, pointing.
Slowly and dojectodly, the ape-man
crept to whore be had been ordered
and sat there with dull, non-compro-honding
stare. It was a now furco,
this, a note of which he had full the
superman raising the voice of author
ity. Quest touched his foroheud and
found It damp. Tbe strain of those
few seconds bad been Intolerable.
"I don't think these other animals
will hurt," he Bald. "Lot's have a
look around the place."
The search took only a few mo
ments. Tho monkeys ran and Jumpod
around them, gibbering ns though with
pleasure. The leopard watched them
always with a snarl and an evil light
In bis eye.
They found nothing unusual until
they came to tbe distant corner, whore
a huge piano box lay on Its Bide with
tbe opening turned to tbe wall.
"This Is where tho brute sleeps, I
suppose," Quest remarked. "We'll
turn It around, anyway."
They dragged It a few feet away
from the wall, so that tbe opening
faced thorn. Then Lenora gave a little
cry and Quest stood suddenly still.
"Tbe skeleton I" Lenora shrieked:
"It's the skeleton!"
It was a skeleton to old that tbe
bones bad turned a dull gray. Quest
glanced towards the hands.
"Little fingers, both mlsBlng," be
muttered.
"Remember the message?" she ex
claimed. Where tho skeleton Is, the
necklace may bo also." -
Quest nodded shortly.
"We'll search."
They turned over everything in the
place fruitlessly. There was no sign
of the necklace.
"Tou get outside, Lenora,? Quest di
rected. "I'll Just bring tbls beast
round again and then we'll tackle the
professor."
Quest turned towards the creature,
which crouched still huddled up In Ha
corner.
"Look at me," he ordered.
The creature obeyed. Once more its
frame seemed to grow more virile and
natural.
"Tou need sleep no longer," Quest
aid. "Wake up and be yourself."
Tbe effect of these words was In
stantaneous Almost ss he spoke, the
erealur rruu had for a spring Ther
was wild bslred In It rlie are,
Ih snarl of soinelliln neiiilllk In H
roiiliiried Uioulh wuesl sllppt j quick
ly ilimush ih dor
"Anion msy hav that fur a pell"
b remarked grimly Tome, l-eunra.
there's a word or Iwo lo be said lo lb
professor. 1 here's xillielhlllg ber will
Heed a Utile Slpluuatlon "
II III a rlssr ihey truislid back
along III palll rreaelilly tin 7 (Milled
Ih untlil) looking annuo, and few
minute later artlved Bl the liout
Queet (earthed III vain fur a UIL
Th Hut I on lr.-
They walked round lb plana. Tber
wer no lgns of any human llf. They
cam back to th front door. Quest
tried Ih haiidl and found It open.
They passed Into lb balL
"lloapltabl sort of plac. anyway,"
h remarked. "W'll go In and wall,
luora."
They found their way lo Ih study,
which seemed to be the ouly babltabl
room. Leuora glanced around at Ita
Strang conteuta wltb an expression al
most of aw.
A small motor car passed lb win
dow, driven by Craig Tb professor
descended. A moment or two later be
entered th room. II gated from
Quest lo Lenora at first In blank sur
prise. Then be beld out bl band.
"Tou hav good new fur me. my
friend!" he exclaimed. "I am iur of
It How unfortunate that I was uut al
bom to receive you! Tell me don't
keep m In mspense. If you plea
you have discovered my skeleton?"
-W bav fuund Ih skeleton," Quest
announced.
For a slnile moment Ih newcomer
stood as though turned lo stoaa
"My skeleton!" be muriuujed. "Mr.
Quest I knew It You ar Ih great
est man alive. Now tell m quickly
I want lo know everything, but thl
first of all. Wher did you find tb
skeleton? Who wa th thief?"
"We found the skeleton? professor,"
Quest replied, "within a hundred yards
of this bouse."
Tb professor' mouth was wtd
open. II looked Ilk a bewildered
child. It was several seconds before
b spokt.
Within a hundred yards of this
bouse? Then It wasn't stolen by one
of my rivals?"
"I should say not," Quest admitted.
"Where? exactly did you find It?"
th professor Insisted.
"1 found It In a but," Quest Bald,
hidden In a piano box. I found thcro.
also, a creature a human being, I
must call blm In a stat cf cap
tivity."
"Hidden In a piano box?" th pro
fessor repeated wondorlngly. "Why,
you mean In Hartoos steeping box,
then?"
If Mr. Hartoo I Ih gentleman who
tried to club nie, you are right," Quost
admitted. "Mr. Ashlvlgh, before we
go any further I must ask you for an
explanation as to the presence of that
person In your grounds?"
The profussur busltatod for a mo
ment. Then be slowly crossed the
room, opunod the drawer of a small
escritoire, and drew out a letter.
Tou have beard Of Sir William
Raysmore, the president of the Royal
socloty?" be asked.
Quest noddod.
"This letter la from blm," the pro
fessor continued. "Tou had butter
road It."
The criminologist read It aloud. Le
nora lookod ovor bis shoulder;
To Prof. Ednr Aalilrlsh. New Tork.
My lear I'rori'swir: Your communica
tion (Tutlflna and a maim me. I can say
no more. It fi'll lo your lot lo dlncovnr
the skeleton of the nnlhrnpold, n inurvi'l
nus Ihlnn, In Its way, and needing only
Ha cnrnllary lo form (lie Krimteat illacuv.
ery since the dark nK"S. Now ynu tell
me that In Ilia peraon nf Harloo, the Inat
of the Inyamo race of Houth America, you
have found that corollary. You have sup
plied th mlaalng link. You are In a po
Itlon to Rive to the world (I'Dnlto anil
IokIcuI explanation of the evolution of
mun. Iel ma slvo you on word of warning-,
profnioior, before I wrlla you nt
mater lenvlh nn Ilia mailer. Antliro-
pnloKlata ara afTllcted mnro, even, than any
other rao of scientific mini, Willi lenlouay,
Guard your secret well, lent the honor of
this discovery liould ha atolcn from ynu.
V 1L.UAM HAIBMUKJIJ.
The profomor noddod deliberately
as Quest finished the letter.
Now, porhaps you can undorstnnd,"
he said, "why It was nocossary to koop
Hartoo absolutoly hidden. In a
month's time my papors will be ready.
Then I shall electrify the world. I
shall write not a now page but a new
volume across the history of science.
shall"
The door waa (uddonly thrown open.
Craig sprang In, no longer the self-
contained, perfect man-servant, but
wltb the face of some wild croature.
His shout was one almost of agony.
"The hut, professor! The but Is on
Orel " he cried.
His appearance on the threshold'
was like a flash. They beard bis fly
ing feet down the hall, and without
a moment's hesitation they all fol
lowed. The professor led the way
down a narrow and concealed path,
but when they reached the little clear
ing In which the but was situated,
they were unable to approach any
nearer. Tbe place was a whirlwind
of flame. The smell of kerosene was
almost overpowering. The wild yefl
of the leopard rose above the strange,
half-human gibbering of the monkeys
and the hoarse, bass calling of anoth
er voice, at the sound of whlchL.
(Continued on Page 7.)