Bruce Duncan's mind was working rapidly. The man's story was a good one and plausible. It was evident that his ape-faced charge had escaped by accident. There were even more reasons than the one he had explained that would make him desirous of keeping the brute under cover.
For Duncan knew that the ape-man had been used for a criminal purpose on at least one occasion. He and Vincent had found the clue they sought — the fact that linked the present with that first event of a month ago.
The man on the porch could not have recognized Duncan. For it was the ape-man who had entered his room, and Bruce doubted that the creature had sufficient intelligence to tell his master who Bruce Duncan was.
Bruce glanced at Harry. He realized that his friend had not yet caught the significance of their discovery.
The best plan was to leave and go back toward the town. On the way he could tell everything to Vincent.
They were nearing the evidence they sought. But who was the man on the porch? Was he merely a person of minor importance who kept the apelike creature under control? Or was he the one behind the sequence of crime?
It was this perplexity that caused Bruce Duncan to remain staring at the fellow after his two companions had turned toward the path. The stranger had bidden them a cordial farewell, thanking them for informing him of the attack made by his ward.
The man was laughing in a friendly manner as he waved good-by. As Harry and the farmer turned away, his lips closed together.
Upon his face appeared a strange, peculiar smile.
On one side his lips seemed to curl upward, on the other they turned downward. It gave his mouth a distorted expression — one that the viewer would not soon forget.