the
great wolf, though pacing up and down according to his custom, had his
eyes on the man in the next cage, instead of upon his own secret
visions. Biddell had driven the two pumas back through the door which
led from the open cage to the room which served them for a den, and
closed the door on them. Then, having finished his duties there, he
unfastened the strong door between this cage and that of the Gray
Master, and stepped through, leaving the door slightly ajar.

Biddell was armed, of course, with a heavy-pronged fork, but he
carried it carelessly as he went about his work, as if he had long
since taught the sombre wolf to keep at a distance. But to-day the
wolf acted curiously. He backed away in silence, as usual, but eyed
the man fixedly with a look which, as it seemed to Kane, showed
anything rather than fear. The stiff hair rose slightly along his neck
and massive shoulders. Kane could not help congratulating himself that
he was not in the keeper's place. But he felt sure everything was all
right, as Biddell was supposed to know his business.

When Biddell came to the place where the wolf was standing, the latter
made way reluctantly, still backing, and staring with that sinister
fixity which Kane found so impressive. He wondered if Biddell noticed.
He was just on the point of speaking to him about it, through the
bars, when he chanced to glance aside to the cage of the pumas.
Biddell, in his foggy state of mind, had forgotten to close an inner
door connecting the two rooms in the rear. The pumas had quietly
passed through, and emerged again into their cage by the farther
entrance. Catching sight of the door into the wolf's cage standing
ajar, they had crept up to it; and now, with one great noiseless paw,
the leader of the two was softly pushing it open.

Kane gave an inarticulate yell of warning. No words were needed to
translate that warning to the keeper, who was sobered completely as he
flashed round and saw what was happening. With a sharp command he
rushed to drive the pumas back and close the gate. But one was already
through, and the other blocked the way.

At this tense instant, while Kane glanced swiftly aside to see if any
help were in sight, the Gray Master launched himself across the cage.
Kane could not see distinctly, so swiftly did it happen, whether the
man or the intruding puma was the object of that mad rush. But in the
next second the man was down, on his face, with the silent wolf and