B. M. Bower

“ Abington said with brutal directness. “Laws are better kept than broken, as you will probably agree, and it ill becomes a loyal citizen to help any man dodge the penalty for his misdeeds. On the other hand, even law-breakers may contribute something to the general welfare of the world. Discovering the skeletal relics of a man of the Cretaceous period may not materially help to liquidate the national debt, but it would be a priceless contribution to the scientific knowledge of the human race.” ”

“ He looked across the fire at Abington. “How's it strike you, professor?”
Over and over Abington had considered this very point during his month of waiting. It all depended on Bill himself, he had decided. Some men are so constituted that preying upon society is second nature to them. Others fall afoul of the law through no real criminal intent. There is a vast difference between the two types, Abington knew. It all depended on Bill. ”

“ During five minutes Bill smoked and silently eyed the archæologist, who sat meditatively tapping another burned stick into coals.
“One thing I better tell you, professor,” he ventured at last, vaguely stirred by the rapt look in Abington's dark eyes. “There's a lot more to it than just arriving 'at the spot,' as you say. When I went into that cave, I was scared in. There's something up in there that got my goat. I beat it outa there—that's how I got nabbed by the law.
“I can't tell you what it is, professor. Some kinda animal. Makes tracks like a mountain sheep—but it ain't a sheep ”