Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 58: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

684. “Wait a minute,’ I commanded him. “ There’s just one thing more.” Then I told him about the dead monkey T had seen, and reminded him of the skele- ton on Devil’s Island. They were huge, powerful beasts, and probably vicious. Whether they would actually attack a per- son, I did not know. When I had finished talking, Grame sat in silence. Then he spoke. * T don’t understand the presence of such creatures in the West Indies,” he said. “This is something new to me. I don’t see how they could have existed here with- out having been discovered before. The only explanation I can offer is that they have been carried here on a floating island, from Africa, which might have drifted north with some current. But at all events, they are here; so it is not our task at present - to explain their presence, but to discover whether they are dangerous. Well, let’s be on our way to Crescent Island.” I suggested that if we were going away we ought to warn Charley and the engineer. They could be on the lookout and protect the Merediths. “Vou are right, Jimmy,” he said. “Tl get them down here on the pretense of helping launch the boat. T’ll tell the people that you and I are going to row down the shore and have a final look for Nicky be- fore we turn in. Incidentally, I'll tell you some interesting facts about the young gen- tleman on the way.” Grame stalked back to the camp fire. I could hear him talking to the Merediths. In a few minutes he was back with Charley and Don at his heels. He invited them to sit down, and explained the danger of the apes to them. ‘“ Now, men,” he said, “ Jimmy and I are going down the shore in the boat. Here is my gun and a belt of cartridges. Don’t use it unless you have to; ammunition is scarce hereabouts. If we don’t come back by morning, don’t expect us back. We'll be where we can’t come back. Don’t let Mrs. Meredith hear about any of this. She is very nervous, and the shock might cause a collapse.” Turning to me, he said: Jimmy, let’s go.” “ All right, ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, With the aid of the two men we launched the dory, and climbed in. “You might bring us the oars from be- hind that palm tree to your left,” called Dr. Grame to Charley. The man found them in a trice, and we began our journey, each at an oar. “How do we get to this island?” asked Dr. Grame. “We go to the left of the little island we are headed for. Ours is the next one after it. You can spot it right away by its cres- cent shaped beach.” ‘“* Well, we’re off,” murmured the doctor. “The sooner we arrive, the better. Guess we had better take it easy now; we may need our strength on the return trip.” We rowed at a leisurely rate, our oars splashing softly, the only sound in the night. There was no wind, and the moon was climbing up the eastern sky. The sur- face of the ocean was rolling gently, and tossed the reflection of the moon in long, swinging arcs. I had rowed at night before, but never with such emotions stirring in my heart. I was looking for the girl I loved, seeking to rescue her from the power of the unknown. My aid in this task was an eccentric and impetuous scientist. However, I was glad that it was Dr. Grame who was with me. I felt that he was a man to be relied on. We rowed in silence for some time. last Grame spoke. “ Jimmy,” he said, “I am going to tell you what I think of this whole affair. It may strike you as absurd—as the fantasy of a mind steeped in science. Neverthe- less, I’m sure I’m right—at last. Do you know who threw you overboard?” “No,” I answered, “do you?” “T can guess,” was his reply. “ Unless I am greatly mistaken, Nicky gave you the crack on the head, and then helped you over the rail.” I was not surprised. In fact, I agreed with him, and told him so. “ But on what do you base your conclu- sion?” I asked. “Well, it’s this,’ answered Grame. “Everyone suspects that Nicky is a bit odd. He is odd—damn odd. Do you know anything about biology?” At Gomichbooks (C@