Then, as a sharp whiff of that same baffling scent
assailed his nose, he began a new tour of the room.
The odor was fresher than before. And Lad's curiosity was roused
to the full. He sniffed to right and left, exploring the floor
rubbish with inquiring muzzle, and circling the despoiled writing
desk.
It was then that Garretse called attention to him. And it was
then that Lad's nose suddenly pointed skyward. In another moment,
he had bounded eagerly toward one of the windows,--the window
that was slightly open from the top.
From that direction, the scent now came; and it was more potent
than at any earlier time in his quest.
Even as the astonished eyes of the group followed Lad
window-ward, those same eyes were attracted by a partial
darkening of the open space at the window's top.
Into the room, through the narrow aperture wiggled a hairy form,
moving with eel-like speed.
Thence, it leaped to the floor. For the fraction of a second, the
intruder crouched there; peering about, to determine into what
company his jump had landed him.
He was a gray monkey, small, infinitely aged and withered of
aspect.
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