n ape's hair is of a slightly finer texture. But that
could be explained away as I allowed only the merest bit of
information to the reporters to-day. I can add a supplementary
story in the next newspaper which will explain that the coarse fur
of the Colombian ape is the only thing about it which makes it
resemble a giant anthropoid."

Jackson had walked to Bentley without fear and ran his fingers through
the hair as he spoke.

"I know it's a man, and some surgeon has performed a miracle," he
said. "Just what is it you wish me to do?"

"You've read the stories relating to the Mind Master, Doctor?" asked
Bentley suddenly. How strangely his voice came from the body of an
ape!

"I've read some of them," answered Jackson. "Is this a scheme whereby
you hope to trap the Mind Master?"

"Yes."

"Then depend upon me for any assistance I can render. As a scientist I
understand fully the power for evil of a mad genius of our class. This
Mind Master should be ruthlessly destroyed."

"Thank you," said Bentley, stepping forward. "You know, perhaps, how
the Colombian ape behaves, enough that you can coach me how to walk,
how to gesture?"

"Certainly. It will take perhaps an hour to prepare you to fill your
role creditably."

- - -

Jackson's face flushed with enthusiasm. He was launched on a task
which fired his interest. He was an authority on apes and anything
relating to them inspired him.

"Seat yourself on a chair," said Jackson. "The Colombian ape sits
upright like a man."

Bentley seated himself as Jackson had bidden him.

"Now spread your legs apart awkwardly, with the knees straight. The
Colombian ape doesn't exactly sit on a chair or a rock or a tree, he
leans against it in a _half_ sitting position."

Bentley quickly assumed the awkward strained position suggested by
Jackson.

Jackson stepped up to him and placed Bentley's arms, unbent, so that
his fists hung down outside his wide-apart knees, and cupped his
fingers so that they seemed perpetually in the act of closing on
something.

"You can't possibly take the proper position with your toes," went on
Jackson, "for it's beyond a man's ability to curve his toes as he does
his hands. The Colombian ape's toes are prehensile."

"Can't you say in your next news story, Doctor," suggested Bentley,
"that the Colombian ape, the nearest animal relative of man, seems to
be in an advanced stage of evolution. Can you not say that the
Colombian ape