“When you had practically said it.”
“Well, what then?”
“Nothing; you did not marry me, and the alternative was your own choice.”
“The alternative?”
“Yes; you married a baboon. You know it. Is there any doubt on your mind? Come to this window.”
He had suddenly crossed the room to a window facing the jungle. She staggered to his side. He threw open the shutter and pointed out.
What Mrs Minton saw was a huge ape running on all fours across the cleared space just outside the jungle. The creature ran on for some distance, then stopped and turned round gibbering. Then from the jungle there came another ape, only in a more upright posture. With a yell he caught the hand of the first, and the creature stood upright. Then, hand in hand, in a horribly grotesque dance, they advanced together until they were within a hundred yards of the Residency.
“You see—you see,” laughed Dr Koomadhi. “You may still be able to recognise some of his features in spite of the transformation. You have had your choice. A baboon is your husband, and your child——”
The shriek that the woman gave before falling to the floor frightened even Dr Koomadhi.
In a second the room door was opened. Mr Letts appeared. He rushed at Dr Koomadhi, and had his hands on his throat before the Doctor could raise Mrs Minton. He forced the negro backward into the porch, and flung him out almost upon the Commissioner and Mr Ross, the surgeon of the Penguin, who were in the act of entering.