The Reversion of the Beast Folk.

           InthiswayIbecameoneamongtheBeastPeopleintheIslandofDoctorMoreau.WhenIawoke,itwasdarkaboutme.Myarmachedinitsbandages.Isatup,wonderingatfirstwhereImightbe.Iheardcoarsevoicestalkingoutside.ThenIsawthatmybarricadehadgone,andthattheopeningofthehutstoodclear.Myrevolverwasstillinmyhand.

           Iheardsomethingbreathing,sawsomethingcrouchedtogetherclosebesideme.Iheldmybreath,tryingtoseewhatitwas.Itbegantomoveslowly,interminably.Thensomethingsoftandwarmandmoistpassedacrossmyhand.Allmymusclescontracted.Isnatchedmyhandaway.Acryofalarmbeganandwasstifledinmythroat.ThenIjustrealisedwhathadhappenedsufficientlytostaymyfingersontherevolver.

           "Whoisthat?"Isaidinahoarsewhisper,therevolverstillpointed.

           "I—Master."

           "Whoareyou?"

           "TheysaythereisnoMasternow.ButIknow,Iknow.Icarriedthebodiesintothesea,OWalkerintheSea!thebodiesofthoseyouslew.Iamyourslave,Master."

           "AreyoutheoneImetonthebeach?"Iasked.

           "Thesame,Master."

           TheThingwasevidentlyfaithfulenough,foritmighthavefallenuponmeasIslept."Itiswell,"Isaid,extendingmyhandforanotherlickingkiss.Ibegantorealisewhatitspresencemeant,andthetideofmycourageflowed."Wherearetheothers?"Iasked.