Part 10 (1/2)

”Whoo!” growled the giant, ju, specially-built chair crashed over ”Where u lummox! Yo' want to skeer ol' Mist'

Swift? Heah, takepin as a ”war-club,” Koku started through the darkness toward To him at a discreet distance ca butcher knife

[Illustration: Rad Followed]

”Dar's a light in de office, big boy,” whispered the Negro ”Be keerful, now!”

The giant runted, crept up to theand peered within His great height enabled hi toward the door ”We go in”

”Whut deto keep up with his cooodness!” he cried a moment later in the office ”Po' Massa Tom done been killed! Look at him a-layin'

dere!”

[Illustration: The Giant Peered in the Window]

”Hi over his master ”Him heart still beatum Him need fresh air” Gently he picked Toit a doctah!” exclaimed the old colored man ”Dey's a phone in heah”

[Illustration: ”Him No Dead!” Rumbled Koku]

Before the physician could be reached, the beneficial effects of the cool night air had brought the young inventor back to consciousness At first he could not recall what had happened and was not a little astonished to find hirass

”What in the world is thehead ”What aet knockuiant ”We find you on desk Rad callu Here?”]

”A doctor? No, I'ed to struggle to his feet ”I reas must have been used on me But Iheavily on the giant's arm, Tolance everything seemed to be in order, and to his relief he found the vault was locked

[Illustration: The Vault Was Locked]

The young inventor did not know that a key was , nor, as he twirled the dial of the combination-lock, did he realize that a slender lever had been severed fro useless the intricate mechanism

”Who done dis to you', Massa Tom?” asked Rad

”Wish I knew Anyhow, there's been no daet to bed Koku, stay on guard here froet several of the : I don't want either of you to mention this affair to anyone Dad would hear about it and worry”

[Illustration: ”Koku, Stay on Guard Here”]

”If I catchum fella I breaku-pin vigorously ”Better hi little the worse for his experience Thanks to a rugged constitution, he had been able to throw off the ill effects of the poisonous fumes which had overcome him

[Illustration: ”Better Him Stay 'Way Fum Me!”]