“It has long claws. It laid them on my neck,” cried a voice.
“Yes, yes. He means it as a caress.”
“You may have my share of his caresses!” cried the sitter in a quavering voice.
“Do not repulse him. It might be serious. He is well disposed. But he has his feelings, no doubt, like the rest of us.”
The creature had resumed its stealthy progress. Now it turned the end of the table and stood behind the three friends. Its breath came in quick puffs at the back of their necks. Suddenly Lord Roxton gave a loud exclamation of disgust.
“Quiet! Quiet!” said Maupuis.
“It’s licking my hand!” cried Roxton.
An instant later Malone was aware of a shaggy head extended between Lord Roxton and himself. With his left hand he could feel long, coarse hair. It turned towards him, and it needed all his self-control to hold his hand still when a long soft tongue caressed it. Then it was gone.
“In heaven’s name, what is it?” he asked.
“We have been asked not to photograph it. Possibly the light would infuriate it. The command through the medium was definite. We can only say that it is either an ape-like man or a man-like ape. We have seen it more clearly than to-night. The face is Simian, but the brow is straight; the arms long, the hands huge, the body covered with hair.”