Mahdi, the man-monkey, sniffed about the stump, and capered foolishly. He
looked with ape-like curiosity at Heeley's horse, then made an impish
jump at the animal, grinning and growling savagely. The horse threw up
his head, snorted in terror, and pulled back, dragging Heeley with him,
broke free, and bolted into the night. Cursing wildly, Heeley ran for his
revolver. He ran with his nose on to the barrel of it.

One was there before him--the Missing Link. The revolver was held in
Mahdi's shaggy paw, pointed straight at Heeley's head, and the animal
gibbered in guttural fury, snarling and showing ugly white fangs. It was
a sight to deter the boldest; it shocked Dan Heeley, the Bold Dan Heeley,
who had never trembled at the sight of a living thing--when he had the
drop on it--and he drew up sharply and recoiled a step.

Then he swore a big black oath, and his right hand went to his hip. It
was an unwise action; the Missing Link anticipated the evil intention and
fired. A second revolver fell from Mr. Heeley's right hand. Dan's
shooting arm was broken.

The Missing Link advanced with movements and howls significant of
horrible ferocity. Dan Heeley backed before it, white to the lips. At
this point the Professor plucked up courage and advanced upon Heeley.

Dan offered no resistance, his arm was broken, and he was completely
paralysed by the insistence of the monster attacking him. Five minutes
later Dan, Heeley, the Bold Birragua Boy, was securely tied to a tree,
with about three fathoms of inch manila, and the Professor's cash box,
with its proper contents increased by certain sums that were illegally
Heeley's, was safely bestowed in its locker again.