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toward the palisade he discovered that it just spanned the gap, but he dared not

attempt to cross upon its single slender strand.

Quickly he ripped off a half dozen other poles from the roof, and laying them side

by side, formed a safe and easy path to freedom. A moment more and he sat

astride the top of the wall. Drawing the poles after him, he dropped them one by

one to the ground outside the campong. Then he lowered himself to liberty.

Gathering the saplings under one huge arm he ran, lumberingly, into the jungle.

He would not leave evidence of the havoc he had wrought; the fear of the bull

whip was still strong upon him. The green foliage closed about him and the

peaceful jungle gave no sign of the horrid brute that roamed its shadowed mazes.

As von Horn stepped into the campong his quick eye perceived the havoc that

had been wrought with the roof at the east end of the shed. Quickly he crossed to

the low structure. Within its compartments a number of deformed monsters

squatted upon their haunches, or lay prone upon the native mats that covered

the floor.

As the man entered they looked furtively at the bull whip which trailed from his

right hand, and then glanced fearfully at one another as though questioning

which was the malefactor on this occasion.

Von Horn ran his eyes over the hideous assemblage.

"Where is Number One?" he asked, directing his question toward a thing whose

forehead gave greater promise of intelligence than any of his companions.

The one addressed shook his head.

Von Horn turned and made a circuit of the campong. There was no sign of the

missing one and no indication of any other irregularity than the demolished

portion of the roof. With an expression of mild concern upon his face he entered

the workshop.

"Number One has escaped into the jungle, Professor," he said.

Professor Maxon looked up in surprise, but before he had an opportunity to reply

a woman's scream, shrill with horror, smote upon their startled ears.

Von Horn was the first to reach the campong of the whites. Professor Maxon was

close behind him, and the faces of both were white with apprehension. The

enclosure was deserted. Not even Sing was there. Without a word the two men

sprang through the gateway and raced for the jungle in the direction from which

that single, haunting cry had come.

The Monster Men