"Now, perhaps, you can understand," he said, "why it was necessary to keep
Hartoo absolutely hidden. In a month's time my papers will be ready. Then
I shall electrify the world. I shall write not a new page but a new volume
across the history of science. I shall--"

The door was suddenly thrown open. Craig sprang in, no longer the
self-contained, perfect man-servant, but with the face of some wild
creature. His shout was one almost of agony.

"The hut, Professor! The hut is on fire!" he cried.

His appearance on the threshold was like a flash. They heard his flying
feet down the hall, and without a moment's hesitation they all followed.
The Professor led the way down a narrow and concealed path, but when they
reached the little clearing in which the hut was situated, they were
unable to approach any nearer. The place was a whirlwind of flame. The
smell of kerosene was almost overpowering. The wild yell of the leopard
rose above the strange, half-human gibbering of the monkeys and the
hoarse, bass calling of another voice, at the sound of which Lenora and
even Quest shuddered. Then, as they came, breathless, to a standstill,
they saw a strange thing. One side of the hut fell in, and almost
immediately the leopard with a mighty spring, leapt from the place and ran
howling into the undergrowth. The monkeys followed but they came straight
for the Professor, wringing their hands. They fawned at his feet as though
trying to show him their scorched bodies. Then for a single moment they
saw the form of the ape-man as he struggled to follow the others. His
strength failed him, however. He fell backwards into the burning chasm.

* * * * *