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"Then we haven’t a otten his blood up "Let’s do e’re trained to do, gentle and kill it"

Warthrop’s reaction was ierTorrance to jerk in his chair

"Any man who harms John Chanler will answer to me!" the doctor snarled "I will not truck with cold-blooded reed Pelt "Unless we’ve no choice"

"Of course, of course," von Helrung said hurriedly He avoided Warthrop’s icy glare "The line bete are and e pursue is razor thin We will re proposed the division of the group into three teaate the crimes reported by Riis Warthrop did not like the idea; he insisted the party should stay together; division only weakened us and diminished our chances for success He was overruled, but he retreated by inches, not yards, disagreeing next with the co He had paired Warthrop with Pelt, hieanu, and Torrance with Gravois

"Experience should be paired with youth," he argued "I should go with you, Meister Abraeanu"

"Pellinore is correct," agreed Pelt "It would not do if you and Dobrogeanu were faced with it--if it is as strong and fast as you say"

Dobrogeanu stiffened He was offended "I resent the implication that I can’t handle myself in a pinch Need I rele-handedly captured--alive, I ht add--the only speciy?"

"That was quite a few years ago," Pelt said dryly "I er than you, and I think Pellinore’s idea ency of the hour--put an end to the debate Riis took his leave, prohtfall with an update and, hopefully, to congratulate us on a successful prosecution

It fell to me to escort Riis to the door He tucked histhrough his round spectacles at the gray landscape The snow brought back disquieting ray land had coive you a piece of advice, young man," he said "Would you like to hear it?"

I nodded dutifully "Yes, sir"

He leaned towardto bear the entire force of his formidable presence "Leave Run away! At once, without delay Run as if the devil hi about this business Unfit for children" He shuddered in the cold air "He seems to like children"

Back in the war roo silver-plated knives All, with the exception of Warthrop, were checking their weapons, testing the firingwith frank curiosity the contents of the boxes, holding the gleaht

"There is nothing in the literature to suggest that Lepto lurconis requires sleep," the Austrian"And it is my inclination that ill not find it in such a felicitous state

"Legend does tell us hat trehtful power is employed in that attack The Outiko uses its eyes to mesmerize its prey To look into the Yellow Eye is to perish; do not forget!

"Do not waste your a the heart can you destroy Lepto lurconis"

"And only as a last resort," put in Warthrop

Von Helrung cut his eyes away and said, "More powerful than its eyes is its voice Little Will heard it last night and nearly succumbed If it calls your name, resist! Do not answer! Do not think you can deceive it by pretending to fall under its spell It will consuravity of the e Even Gravois seehts

"What we seek, gentle said "And as constant as death It is ruthless and cunning and ever hungry It may be as devious as Lucifer, but in this at least it has been honest with us It has not hidden from us its true nature"

There remained but one small matter--what to do with me I had expected, naturally, to accompany the doctor, but even Warthrop didn’t seem keen on the idea He worried with so into a veno me an unwanted and potentially fatal hindrance Equally unattractive was leavingwas particularly opposed to this alternative; he was convinced that the beast had "ested they dropa hundred ists, where will he be?" he wondered

"I think he should coiven up on the idea of sous who’s cos"

Warthrop winced "John Chanler is not a ‘thing,’ Torrance"

"Well, whatever he is"

"But I do agree that his experience could prove indispensable," Warthrop continued "Therefore, he should coeanu shall take him"

"But I don’t want theseparated froo with you, Doctor"