Oneday，ashehunted，apairofsavageeyesdiscoveredhimfromtheconcealmentofthebranchesofagreattreebeneathwhichtheblackwarriorpassed。
　　Bloodshot，wickedeyestheywere，setinafierceandhairyface。
　　TheywatchedMugambimakehislittlekillofasmallrodent，andtheyfollowedhimashereturnedtohishut，theirownermovingquietlythroughthetreesuponthetrailoftheNegro。
　　ThecreaturewasChulk，andhelookeddownupontheunconsciousmanmoreincuriositythaninhate。ThewearingoftheArabburnoosewhichTarzanhadplaceduponhispersonhadarousedinthemindoftheanthropoidadesireforsimilarmimicryoftheTarmangani。Theburnoose，though，hadobstructedhismovementsandprovensuchanuisancethattheapehadlongsincetornitfromhimandthrownitaway。
　　Now，however，hesawaGomanganiarrayedinlesscumbersomeapparel——aloincloth，afewcopperornamentsandafeatherheaddress。TheseweremoreinlinewithChulk’sdesiresthanaflowingrobewhichwasconstantlygettingbetweenone’slegs，andcatchinguponeverylimbandbushalongtheleafytrail。
　　Chulkeyedthepouch，which，suspendedoverMugambi’sshoulder，swungbesidehisblackhip。Thistookhisfancy，foritwasornamentedwithfeathersandafringe，andsotheapehungaboutMugambi’sboma，waitinganopportunitytoseizeeitherbystealthormightsomeobjectoftheblack’sapparel。
　　Norwasitlongbeforetheopportunitycame。Feelingsafewithinhisthornyenclosure，Mugambiwaswonttostretchhimselfintheshadeofhisshelterduringtheheatoftheday，andsleepinpeacefulsecurityuntilthedecliningsuncarriedwithittheenervatingtemperatureofmidday。
　　Watchingfromabove，Chulksawtheblackwarriorstretchedthusintheunconsciousnessofsleeponesultryafternoon。Creepingoutuponanoverhangingbranchtheanthropoiddroppedtothegroundwithintheboma。Heapproachedthesleeperuponpaddedfeetwhichgaveforthnosound，andwithanuncannywoodcraftthatrustlednotaleaforagrassblade。
　　Pausingbesidetheman，theapebentoverandexaminedhisbelongings。GreataswasthestrengthofChulktherelayinthebackofhislittlebrainasomethingwhichdeterredhimfromarousingthemantocombat——asensethatisinherentinallthelowerorders，astrangefearofman，thatruleseventhemostpowerfulofthejunglecreaturesattimes。
　　ToremoveMugambi’sloinclothwithoutawakeninghimwouldbeimpossible，andtheonlydetachablethingsweretheknob—stickandthepouch，whichhadfallenfromtheblack’sshoulderasherolledinsleep。
　　Seizingthesetwoarticles，asbetterthannothingatall，Chulkretreatedwithhaste，andeveryindicationofnervousterror，tothesafetyofthetreefromwhichhehaddropped，and，stillhauntedbythatindefinableterrorwhichthecloseproximityofmanawakenedinhisbreast，fledprecipitatelythroughthejungle。Arousedbyattack，orsupportedbythepresenceofanotherofhiskind，Chulkcouldhavebravedthepresenceofascoreofhumanbeings，butalone——ah，thatwasadifferentmatter——alone，andunenraged。
　　ItwassometimeafterMugambiawokethathemissedthepouch。Instantlyhewasallexcitement。Whatcouldhavebecomeofit？Ithadbeenathissidewhenhelaydowntosleep——ofthathewascertain，forhadhenotpusheditfrombeneathhimwhenitsbulgingbulk，pressingagainsthisribs，causedhimdiscomfort？Yes，ithadbeentherewhenhelaydowntosleep。Howthenhaditvanished？
　　Mugambi’ssavageimaginationwasfilledwithvisionsofthespiritsofdepartedfriendsandenemies，foronlytothemachinationsofsuchasthesecouldheattributethedisappearanceofhispouchandknob—stickinthefirstexcitementofthediscoveryoftheirloss；butlaterandmorecarefulinvestigation，suchashiswoodcraftmadepossible，revealedindisputableevidenceofamorematerialexplanationthanhisexcitedfancyandsuperstitionhadatfirstledhimtoaccept。
　　Inthetrampledturfbesidehimwasthefaintimpressofhuge，manlikefeet。Mugambiraisedhisbrowsasthetruthdawneduponhim。Hastilyleavingthebomahesearchedinalldirectionsabouttheenclosureforsomefarthersignofthetell—talespoor。Heclimbedtreesandsoughtforevidenceofthedirectionofthethief’sflight；butthefaintsignsleftbyawaryapewhoelectstotravelthroughthetreeseludedthewoodcraftofMugambi。Tarzanmighthavefollowedthem；butnoordinarymortalcouldperceivethem，orperceiving，translate。
　　Theblack，nowstrengthenedandrefreshedbyhisrest，feltreadytosetoutagainforWaziri，andfindinghimselfanotherknob—stick，turnedhisbackupontheriverandplungedintothemazesofthejungle。
　　AsTaglatstruggledwiththebondswhichsecuredtheanklesandwristsofhiscaptive，thegreatlionthateyedthetwofrombehindanearbyclumpofbusheswormedclosertohisintendedprey。
　　Theape’sbackwastowardthelion。Hedidnotseethebroadhead，fringedbyitsroughmane，protrudingthroughtheleafywall。Hecouldnotknowthatthepowerfulhindpawsweregatheringclosebeneaththetawnybellypreparatorytoasuddenspring，andhisfirstintimationofimpendingdangerwasthethunderousandtriumphantroarwhichthecharginglioncouldnolongersuppress。
　　Scarcepausingforabackwardglance，Taglatabandonedtheunconsciouswomanandfledintheoppositedirectionfromthehorridsoundwhichhadbrokeninsounexpectedandterrifyingamanneruponhisstartledears；butthewarninghadcometoolatetosavehim，andthelion，inhissecondbound，alightedfulluponthebroadshouldersoftheanthropoid。
　　Asthegreatbullwentdowntherewasawakenedinhimtothefullallthecunning，alltheferocity，allthephysicalprowesswhichobeythemightiestofthefundamentallawsofnature，thelawofself—preservation，andturninguponhisbackheclosedwiththecarnivoreinadeathstrugglesofearlessandabandoned，thatforamomentthegreatNumahimselfmayhavetrembledfortheoutcome。
　　Seizingthelionbythemane，Taglatburiedhisyellowedfangsdeepinthemonster’sthroat，growlinghideouslythroughthemuffledgagofbloodandhair。
　　Mixedwiththeape’svoicethelion’sroarsofrageandpainreverberatedthroughthejungle，tillthelessercreaturesofthewild，startledfromtheirpeacefulpursuits，scurriedfearfullyaway。
　　Rollingoverandoverupontheturfthetwobattledwithdemoniacfury，untilthecolossalcat，bydoublinghishindpawsfarupbeneathhisbellysankhistalonsdeepintoTaglat’schest，then，rippingdownwardwithallhisstrength，Numaaccomplishedhisdesign，andthedisemboweledanthropoid，withalastspasmodicstruggle，relaxedinlimpandbloodydissolutionbeneathhistitanicadversary。
　　Scramblingtohisfeet，Numalookedaboutquicklyinalldirections，asthoughseekingtodetectthepossiblepresenceofotherfoes；butonlythestillandunconsciousformofthegirl，lyingafewpacesfromhimmethisgaze，andwithanangrygrowlheplacedaforepawuponthebodyofhiskillandraisinghisheadgavevoicetohissavagevictorycry。
　　Foranothermomenthestoodwithfierceeyesrovingtoandfroabouttheclearing。Atlasttheyhaltedforasecondtimeuponthegirl。Alowgrowlrumbledfromthelion’sthroat。Hislowerjawroseandfell，andtheslaverdrooledanddrippeduponthedeadfaceofTaglat。
　　Liketwoyellow—greenaugurs，wideandunblinking，theterribleeyesremainedfixeduponJaneClayton。Theerectandmajesticposeofthegreatframeshranksuddenlyintoasinistercrouchas，slowlyandgentlyasonewhotreadsoneggs，thedevil—facedcatcreptforwardtowardthegirl。
　　BeneficentFatemaintainedherinhappyunconsciousnessofthedreadpresencesneakingstealthilyuponher。
　　Shedidnotknowwhenthelionpausedatherside。
　　Shedidnothearthesniffingofhisnostrilsashesmelledabouther。Shedidnotfeeltheheatofthefetidbreathuponherface，northedrippingofthesalivafromthefrightfuljawshalfopenedsocloseaboveher。
　　Finallythelionliftedaforepawandturnedthebodyofthegirlhalfover，thenhestoodagaineyeingherasthoughstillundeterminedwhetherlifewasextinctornot。Somenoiseorodorfromthenearbyjungleattractedhisattentionforamoment。HiseyesdidnotagainreturntoJaneClayton，andpresentlyhelefther，walkedovertotheremainsofTaglat，andcrouchingdownuponhiskillwithhisbacktowardthegirl，proceededtodevourtheape。
　　ItwasuponthisscenethatJaneClaytonatlastopenedhereyes。Inuredtodanger，shemaintainedherself—possessioninthefaceofthestartlingsurprisewhichhernew—foundconsciousnessrevealedtoher。Sheneithercriedoutnormovedamuscle，untilshehadtakenineverydetailofthescenewhichlaywithintherangeofhervision。
　　Shesawthatthelionhadkilledtheape，andthathewasdevouringhispreylessthanfiftyfeetfromwhereshelay；butwhatcouldshedo？Herhandsandfeetwerebound。Shemustwaitthen，inwhatpatienceshecouldcommand，untilNumahadeatenanddigestedtheape，when，withoutdoubt，hewouldreturntofeastuponher，unless，inthemeantime，thedreadhyenasshoulddiscoverher，orsomeotherofthenumerousprowlingcarnivoraofthejungle。
　　Asshelaytormentedbythesefrightfulthoughts，shesuddenlybecameconsciousthatthebondsatherwristsandanklesnolongerhurther，andthenofthefactthatherhandswereseparated，onelyinguponeithersideofher，insteadofbothbeingconfinedatherback。
　　Wonderinglyshemovedahand。Whatmiraclehadbeenperformed？Itwasnotbound！Stealthilyandnoiselesslyshemovedherotherlimbs，onlytodiscoverthatshewasfree。Shecouldnotknowhowthethinghadhappened，thatTaglat，gnawinguponthemforsinisterpurposesofhisown，hadcutthemthroughbutaninstantbeforeNumahadfrightenedhimfromhisvictim。
　　ForamomentJaneClaytonwasoverwhelmedwithjoyandthanksgiving；butonlyforamoment。Whatgoodwashernew—foundlibertyinthefaceofthefrightfulbeastcrouchingsoclosebesideher？Ifshecouldhavehadthischanceunderdifferentconditions，howhappilyshewouldhavetakenadvantageofit；butnowitwasgiventoherwhenescapewaspracticallyimpossible。
　　Thenearesttreewasahundredfeetaway，thelionlessthanfifty。Toriseandattempttoreachthesafetyofthosetantalizingbrancheswouldbebuttoinviteinstantdestruction，forNumawoulddoubtlessbetoojealousofthisfuturemealtopermitittoescapewithease。Andyet，too，therewasanotherpossibility——achancewhichhingedentirelyupontheunknowntemperofthegreatbeast。
　　Hisbellyalreadypartiallyfilled，hemightwatchwithindifferencethedepartureofthegirl；yetcouldsheaffordtochancesoimprobableacontingency？Shedoubtedit。Upontheotherhandshewasnomoremindedtoallowthisfrailopportunityforlifetoentirelyeludeherwithouttakingorattemptingtotakesomeadvantagefromit。
　　Shewatchedthelionnarrowly。Hecouldnotseeherwithoutturninghisheadmorethanhalfwayaround。Shewouldattemptaruse。Silentlysherolledoverinthedirectionofthenearesttree，andawayfromthelion，untilshelayagaininthesamepositioninwhichNumahadlefther，butafewfeetfartherfromhim。
　　Hereshelaybreathlesswatchingthelion；butthebeastgavenoindicationthathehadheardaughttoarousehissuspicions。Againsherolledover，gainingafewmorefeetandagainshelayinrigidcontemplationofthebeast’sback。
　　Duringwhatseemedhourstohertensenerves，JaneClaytoncontinuedthesetactics，andstillthelionfedoninapparentunconsciousnessthathissecondpreywasescapinghim。Alreadythegirlwasbutafewpacesfromthetree——amomentmoreandshewouldbecloseenoughtochancespringingtoherfeet，throwingcautionasideandmakingasudden，bolddashforsafety。Shewashalfwayoverinherturn，herfaceawayfromthelion，whenhesuddenlyturnedhisgreatheadandfastenedhiseyesuponher。Hesawherrolloveruponhersideawayfromhim，andthenhereyeswereturnedagaintowardhim，andthecoldsweatbrokefromthegirl’severyporeassherealizedthatwithlifealmostwithinhergrasp，deathhadfoundherout。
　　Foralongtimeneitherthegirlnorthelionmoved。
　　Thebeastlaymotionless，hisheadturneduponhisshouldersandhisglaringeyesfixedupontherigidvictim，nownearlyfiftyyardsaway。Thegirlstaredbackstraightintothosecruelorbs，daringnottomoveevenamuscle。
　　Thestrainuponhernerveswasbecomingsounbearablethatshecouldscarcelyrestrainagrowingdesiretoscream，whenNumadeliberatelyturnedbacktothebusinessoffeeding；buthisback—layedearsattestedasinisterregardfortheactionsofthegirlbehindhim。
　　Realizingthatshecouldnotagainturnwithoutattractinghisimmediateandperhapsfatalattention，JaneClaytonresolvedtoriskallinonelastattempttoreachthetreeandclambertothelowerbranches。
　　Gatheringherselfstealthilyfortheeffort，sheleapedsuddenlytoherfeet，butalmostsimultaneouslythelionsprangup，wheeledandwithwide—distendedjawsandterrificroars，chargedswiftlydownuponher。
　　ThosewhohavespentlifetimeshuntingthebiggameofAfricawilltellyouthatscarcelyanyothercreatureintheworldattainsthespeedofacharginglion。
　　Fortheshortdistancethatthegreatcatcanmaintainit，itresemblesnothingmorecloselythantheonrushingofagiantlocomotiveunderfullspeed，andso，thoughthedistancethatJaneClaytonmustcoverwasrelativelysmall，theterrificspeedofthelionrenderedherhopesofescapealmostnegligible。
　　Yetfearcanworkwonders，andthoughtheupwardspringofthelionashenearedthetreeintowhichshewasscramblingbroughthistalonsincontactwithherbootssheeludedhisrakinggrasp，andashehurtledagainsttheboleofhersanctuary，thegirldrewherselfintothesafetyofthebranchesabovehisreach。
　　Forsometimethelionpaced，growlingandmoaning，beneaththetreeinwhichJaneClaytoncrouched，pantingandtrembling。Thegirlwasapreytothenervousreactionfromthefrightfulordealthroughwhichshehadsorecentlypassed，andinheroverwroughtstateitseemedthatneveragainshouldshedaredescendtothegroundamongthefearsomedangerswhichinfestedthebroadstretchofjunglethatsheknewmustliebetweenherselfandthenearestvillageofherfaithfulWaziri。
　　Itwasalmostdarkbeforethelionfinallyquittheclearing，andevenhadhisplacebesidetheremnantsofthemangledapenotbeenimmediatelyusurpedbyapackofhyenas，JaneClaytonwouldscarcelyhavedaredventurefromherrefugeinthefaceofimpendingnight，andsoshecomposedherselfasbestshecouldforthelongandtiresomewait，untildaylightmightoffersomemeansofescapefromthedreadvicinityinwhichshehadwitnessedsuchterrifyingadventures。
　　Tirednatureatlastovercameevenherfears，andshedroppedintoadeepslumber，cradledinacomparativelysafe，thoughratheruncomfortable，positionagainsttheboleofthetree，andsupportedbytwolargebrancheswhichgrewoutward，almosthorizontally，butafewinchesapart。
　　Thesunwashighintheheavenswhensheatlastawoke，andbeneathherwasnosigneitherofNumaorthehyenas。Onlytheclean—pickedbonesoftheape，scatteredabouttheground，attestedthefactofwhathadtranspiredinthisseeminglypeacefulspotbutafewhoursbefore。
　　Bothhungerandthirstassailedhernow，andrealizingthatshemustdescendordieofstarvation，sheatlastsummonedcouragetoundertaketheordealofcontinuingherjourneythroughthejungle。
　　Descendingfromthetree，shesetoutinasoutherlydirection，towardthepointwhereshebelievedtheplainsofWazirilay，andthoughsheknewthatonlyruinanddesolationmarkedthespotwhereonceherhappyhomehadstood，shehopedthatbycomingtothebroadplainshemighteventuallyreachoneofthenumerousWazirivillagesthatwerescatteredoverthesurroundingcountry，orchanceuponarovingbandoftheseindefatigablehuntsmen。
　　Thedaywashalfspentwhentherebrokeunexpectedlyuponherstartledearsthesoundofarifleshotnotfaraheadofher。Asshepausedtolisten，thisfirstshotwasfollowedbyanotherandanotherandanother。
　　Whatcoulditmean？ThefirstexplanationwhichsprungtohermindattributedthefiringtoanencounterbetweentheArabraidersandapartyofWaziri；butasshedidnotknowuponwhichsidevictorymightrest，orwhethershewerebehindfriendorfoe，shedarednotadvanceneareronthechanceofrevealingherselftoanenemy。
　　Afterlisteningforseveralminutesshebecameconvincedthatnomorethantwoorthreerifleswereengagedinthefight，sincenothingapproximatingthesoundofavolleyreachedherears；butstillshehesitatedtoapproach，andatlast，determiningtotakenochance，sheclimbedintotheconcealingfoliageofatreebesidethetrailshehadbeenfollowingandtherefearfullyawaitedwhatevermightrevealitself。
　　Asthefiringbecamelessrapidshecaughtthesoundofmen’svoices，thoughshecoulddistinguishnowords，andatlastthereportsofthegunsceased，andsheheardtwomencallingtoeachotherinloudtones。
　　Thentherewasalongsilencewhichwasfinallybrokenbythestealthypaddingoffootfallsonthetrailaheadofher，andinanothermomentamanappearedinviewbackingtowardher，ariflereadyinhishands，andhiseyesdirectedincarefulwatchfulnessalongthewaythathehadcome。
　　AlmostinstantlyJaneClaytonrecognizedthemanasM。
　　JulesFrecoult，whosorecentlyhadbeenaguestinherhome。Shewasuponthepointofcallingtohimingladreliefwhenshesawhimleapquicklytoonesideandhidehimselfinthethickverdureatthetrail’sside。
　　Itwasevidentthathewasbeingfollowedbyanenemy，andsoJaneClaytonkeptsilent，lestshedistractFrecoult’sattention，orguidehisfoetohishidingplace。
　　ScarcelyhadFrecoulthiddenhimselfthanthefigureofawhite—robedArabcreptsilentlyalongthetrailinpursuit。Fromherhidingplace，JaneClaytoncouldseebothmenplainly。SherecognizedAchmetZekastheleaderofthebandofruffianswhohadraidedherhomeandmadeheraprisoner，andasshesawFrecoult，thesupposedfriendandally，raisehisgunandtakecarefulaimattheArab，herheartstoodstillandeverypowerofhersoulwasdirecteduponaferventprayerfortheaccuracyofhisaim。
　　AchmetZekpausedinthemiddleofthetrail。Hiskeeneyesscannedeverybushandtreewithintheradiusofhisvision。Histallfigurepresentedaperfecttargettotheperfidiousassassin。Therewasasharpreport，andalittlepuffofsmokearosefromthebushthathidtheBelgian，asAchmetZekstumbledforwardandpitched，facedown，uponthetrail。
　　AsWerpersteppedbackintothetrail，hewasstartledbythesoundofagladcryfromabovehim，andashewheeledabouttodiscovertheauthorofthisunexpectedinterruption，hesawJaneClaytondroplightlyfromanearbytreeandrunforwardwithoutstretchedhandstocongratulatehimuponhisvictory。
　　20
　　JaneClaytonAgainaPrisonerThoughherclothesweretornandherhairdisheveled，AlbertWerperrealizedthatheneverbeforehadlookeduponsuchavisionoflovelinessasthatwhichLadyGreystokepresentedinthereliefandjoywhichshefeltincomingsounexpectedlyuponafriendandrescuerwhenhopehadseemedsofaraway。
　　IftheBelgianhadentertainedanydoubtsastothewoman’sknowledgeofhispartintheperfidiousattackuponherhomeandherself，itwasquicklydissipatedbythegenuinefriendlinessofhergreeting。Shetoldhimquicklyofallthathadbefallenhersincehehaddepartedfromherhome，andasshespokeofthedeathofherhusbandhereyeswereveiledbythetearswhichshecouldnotrepress。
　　"Iamshocked，"saidWerper，inwell—simulatedsympathy；"butIamnotsurprised。Thatdevilthere，"
　　andhepointedtowardthebodyofAchmetZek，"hasterrorizedtheentirecountry。YourWaziriareeitherexterminated，orhavebeendrivenoutoftheircountry，fartothesouth。ThemenofAchmetZekoccupytheplainaboutyourformerhome——thereisneithersanctuarynorescapeinthatdirection。Ouronlyhopeliesintravelingnorthwardasrapidlyaswemay，ofcomingtothecampoftheraidersbeforetheknowledgeofAchmetZek’sdeathreachesthosewhowereleftthere，andofobtaining，throughsomeruse，anescorttowardthenorth。
　　"Ithinkthatthethingcanbeaccomplished，forIwasaguestoftheraider’sbeforeIknewthenatureoftheman，andthoseatthecamparenotawarethatIturnedagainsthimwhenIdiscoveredhisvillainy。
　　"Come！WewillmakeallpossiblehastetoreachthecampbeforethosewhoaccompaniedAchmetZekuponhislastraidhavefoundhisbodyandcarriedthenewsofhisdeathtothecut—throatswhoremainedbehind。Itisouronlyhope，LadyGreystoke，andyoumustplaceyourentirefaithinmeifIamtosucceed。WaitformehereamomentwhileItakefromtheArab’sbodythewalletthathestolefromme，"andWerpersteppedquicklytothedeadman’sside，and，kneeling，soughtwithquickfingersthepouchofjewels。Tohisconsternation，therewasnosignoftheminthegarmentsofAchmetZek。Rising，hewalkedbackalongthetrail，searchingforsometraceofthemissingpouchoritscontents；buthefoundnothing，eventhoughhesearchedcarefullythevicinityofhisdeadhorse，andforafewpacesintothejungleoneitherside。Puzzled，disappointedandangry，heatlastreturnedtothegirl。"Thewalletisgone，"heexplained，crisply，"andIdarenotdelaylongerinsearchofit。Wemustreachthecampbeforethereturningraiders。"
　　Unsuspiciousoftheman’struecharacter，JaneClaytonsawnothingpeculiarinhisplans，orinhisspeciousexplanationofhisformerfriendshipfortheraider，andsoshegraspedwithalacritytheseeminghopeforsafetywhichheprofferedher，andturningaboutshesetoutwithAlbertWerpertowardthehostilecampinwhichshesolatelyhadbeenaprisoner。
　　Itwaslateintheafternoonoftheseconddaybeforetheyreachedtheirdestination，andastheypausedupontheedgeoftheclearingbeforethegatesofthewalledvillage，Werpercautionedthegirltoaccedetowhateverhemightsuggestbyhisconversationwiththeraiders。
　　"Ishalltellthem，"hesaid，"thatIapprehendedyouafteryouescapedfromthecamp，thatItookyoutoAchmetZek，andthatashewasengagedinastubbornbattlewiththeWaziri，hedirectedmetoreturntocampwithyou，toobtainhereasufficientguard，andtoridenorthwithyouasrapidlyaspossibleanddisposeofyouatthemostadvantageoustermstoacertainslavebrokerwhosenamehegaveme。"
　　AgainthegirlwasdeceivedbytheapparentfranknessoftheBelgian。Sherealizedthatdesperatesituationsrequireddesperatehandling，andthoughshetrembledinwardlyatthethoughtofagainenteringthevileandhideousvillageoftheraidersshesawnobettercoursethanthatwhichhercompanionhadsuggested。
　　Callingaloudtothosewhotendedthegates，Werper，graspingJaneClaytonbythearm，walkedboldlyacrosstheclearing。Thosewhoopenedthegatestohimpermittedtheirsurprisetoshowclearlyintheirexpressions。Thatthediscreditedandhuntedlieutenantshouldbethusreturningfearlesslyofhisownvolition，seemedtodisarmthemquiteaseffectuallyashismannertowardLadyGreystokehaddeceivedher。
　　ThesentriesatthegatereturnedWerper’ssalutations，andviewedwithastonishmenttheprisonerwhomhebroughtintothevillagewithhim。
　　ImmediatelytheBelgiansoughttheArabwhohadbeenleftinchargeofthecampduringAchmetZek’sabsence，andagainhisboldnessdisarmedsuspicionandwontheacceptanceofhisfalseexplanationofhisreturn。
　　Thefactthathehadbroughtbackwithhimthewomanprisonerwhohadescaped，addedstrengthtohisclaims，andMohammedBeydsoonfoundhimselffraternizinggood—naturedlywiththeverymanwhomhewouldhaveslainwithoutcompunctionhadhediscoveredhimaloneinthejungleahalfhourbefore。
　　JaneClaytonwasagainconfinedtotheprisonhutshehadformerlyoccupied，butassherealizedthatthiswasbutapartofthedeceptionwhichsheandFrecoultwereplayinguponthecredulousraiders，itwaswithquiteadifferentsensationthatsheagainenteredthevileandfilthyinterior，fromthatwhichshehadpreviouslyexperienced，whenhopewassofaraway。
　　Oncemoreshewasboundandsentriesplacedbeforethedoorofherprison；butbeforeWerperleftherhewhisperedwordsofcheerintoherear。Thenheleft，andmadehiswaybacktothetentofMohammedBeyd。
　　HehadbeenwonderinghowlongitwouldbebeforetheraiderswhohadriddenoutwithAchmetZekwouldreturnwiththemurderedbodyoftheirchief，andthemorehethoughtuponthematterthegreaterhisfearsbecame，thatwithoutaccompliceshisplanwouldfail。
　　What，even，ifhegotawayfromthecampinsafetybeforeanyreturnedwiththetruestoryofhisguilt——
　　ofwhatvaluewouldthisadvantagebeotherthantoprotractforafewdayshismentaltortureandhislife？Thesehardriders，familiarwitheverytrailandbypath，wouldgethimlongbeforehecouldhopetoreachthecoast。
　　AsthesethoughtspassedthroughhismindheenteredthetentwhereMohammedBeydsatcross—leggeduponarug，smoking。TheArablookedupastheEuropeancameintohispresence。
　　"Greetings，OBrother！"hesaid。
　　"Greetings！"repliedWerper。
　　Forawhileneitherspokefurther。TheArabwasthefirsttobreakthesilence。
　　"Andmymaster，AchmetZek，waswellwhenlastyousawhim？"heasked。
　　"Neverwashesaferfromthesinsanddangersofmortality，"repliedtheBelgian。
　　"Itiswell，"saidMohammedBeyd，blowingalittlepuffofbluesmokestraightoutbeforehim。
　　Againtherewassilenceforseveralminutes。
　　"Andifheweredead？"askedtheBelgian，determinedtoleaduptothetruth，andattempttobribeMohammedBeydintohisservice。
　　TheArab’seyesnarrowedandheleanedforward，hisgazeboringstraightintotheeyesoftheBelgian。
　　"Ihavebeenthinkingmuch，Werper，sinceyoureturnedsounexpectedlytothecampofthemanwhomyouhaddeceived，andwhosoughtyouwithdeathinhisheart。
　　IhavebeenwithAchmetZekformanyyears——hisownmotherneverknewhimsowellasI。Heneverforgives——
　　muchlesswouldheagaintrustamanwhohadoncebetrayedhim；thatIknow。
　　"Ihavethoughtmuch，asIsaid，andtheresultofmythinkinghasassuredmethatAchmetZekisdead——forotherwiseyouwouldneverhavedaredreturntohiscamp，unlessyoubeeitherabravermanorabiggerfoolthanIhaveimagined。And，ifthisevidenceofmyjudgmentisnotsufficient，Ihavebutjustnowreceivedfromyourownlipsevenmoreconfirmatorywitness——fordidyounotsaythatAchmetZekwasnevermoresafefromthesinsanddangersofmortality？
　　"AchmetZekisdead——youneednotdenyit。Iwasnothismother，orhismistress，sodonotfearthatmywailingsshalldisturbyou。Tellmewhyyouhavecomebackhere。Tellmewhatyouwant，and，Werper，ifyoustillpossessthejewelsofwhichAchmetZektoldme，thereisnoreasonwhyyouandIshouldnotridenorthtogetheranddividetheransomofthewhitewomanandthecontentsofthepouchyouwearaboutyourperson。Eh？"
　　Theevileyesnarrowed，avicious，thin—lippedsmiletorturedthevillainousface，asMohammedBeydgrinnedknowinglyintothefaceoftheBelgian。
　　WerperwasbothrelievedanddisturbedbytheArab’sattitude。ThecomplacencywithwhichheacceptedthedeathofhischiefliftedaconsiderableburdenofapprehensionfromtheshouldersofAchmetZek’sassassin；buthisdemandforashareofthejewelsbodedillforWerperwhenMohammedBeydshouldhavelearnedthatthepreciousstoneswerenolongerintheBelgian’spossession。
　　ToacknowledgethathehadlostthejewelsmightbetoarousethewrathorsuspicionoftheArabtosuchanextentaswouldjeopardizehisnew—foundchancesofescape。Hisonehopeseemed，then，tolieinfosteringMohammedBeyd’sbeliefthatthejewelswerestillinhispossession，anddependupontheaccidentsofthefuturetoopenanavenueofescape。
　　CouldhecontrivetotentwiththeArabuponthemarchnorth，hemightfindopportunityinplentytoremovethismenacetohislifeandliberty——itwasworthtrying，and，further，thereseemednootherwayoutofhisdifficulty。
　　"Yes，"hesaid，"AchmetZekisdead。HefellinbattlewithacompanyofAbyssiniancavalrythatheldmecaptive。DuringthefightingIescaped；butIdoubtifanyofAchmetZek’smenlive，andthegoldtheysoughtisinthepossessionoftheAbyssinians。Evennowtheyaredoubtlessmarchingonthiscamp，fortheyweresentbyMenelektopunishAchmetZekandhisfollowersforaraiduponanAbyssinianvillage。Therearemanyofthem，andifwedonotmakehastetoescapeweshallallsufferthesamefateasAchmetZek。"
　　MohammedBeydlistenedinsilence。Howmuchoftheunbeliever’sstoryhemightsafelybelievehedidnotknow；butasitaffordedhimanexcusefordesertingthevillageandmakingforthenorthhewasnotinclinedtocross—questiontheBelgiantoominutely。
　　"AndifIridenorthwithyou，"heasked，"halfthejewelsandhalftheransomofthewomanshallbemine？"
　　"Yes，"repliedWerper。
　　"Good，"saidMohammedBeyd。"Igonowtogivetheorderforthebreakingofcampearlyonthemorrow，"
　　andherosetoleavethetent。
　　Werperlaidadetaininghanduponhisarm。
　　"Wait，"hesaid，"letusdeterminehowmanyshallaccompanyus。Itisnotwellthatwebeburdenedbythewomenandchildren，forthenindeedwemightbeovertakenbytheAbyssinians。Itwouldbefarbettertoselectasmallguardofyourbravestmen，andleavewordbehindthatweareridingWEST。Then，whentheAbyssinianscometheywillbeputuponthewrongtrailshouldtheyhaveitintheirheartstopursueus，andiftheydonottheywillatleastridenorthwithlessrapiditythanasthoughtheythoughtthatwewereaheadofthem。"
　　"Theserpentislesswisethanthou，Werper，"saidMohammedBeydwithasmile。"Itshallbedoneasyousay。Twentymenshallaccompanyus，andweshallrideWEST——whenweleavethevillage。"
　　"Good，"criedtheBelgian，andsoitwasarranged。
　　EarlythenextmorningJaneClayton，afteranalmostsleeplessnight，wasarousedbythesoundofvoicesoutsideherprison，andamomentlater，M。Frecoult，andtwoArabsentered。Thelatterunboundheranklesandliftedhertoherfeet。Thenherwristswereloosed，shewasgivenahandfulofdrybread，andledoutintothefaintlightofdawn。
　　ShelookedquestioninglyatFrecoult，andatamomentthattheArab’sattentionwasattractedinanotherdirectionthemanleanedtowardherandwhisperedthatallwasworkingoutashehadplanned。Thusassured，theyoungwomanfeltarenewalofthehopewhichthelongandmiserablenightofbondagehadalmostexpunged。
　　Shortlyafter，shewasliftedtothebackofahorse，andsurroundedbyArabs，wasescortedthroughthegatewayofthevillageandoffintothejungletowardthewest。Halfanhourlaterthepartyturnednorth，andnortherlywastheirdirectionforthebalanceofthemarch。
　　M。Frecoultspokewithherbutseldom，andsheunderstoodthatincarryingouthisdeceptionhemustmaintainthesemblanceofhercaptor，ratherthanprotector，andsoshesuspectednothingthoughshesawthefriendlyrelationswhichseemedtoexistbetweentheEuropeanandtheArableaderoftheband。
　　IfWerpersucceededinkeepinghimselffromconversationwiththeyoungwoman，hefailedsignallytoexpelherfromhisthoughts。Ahundredtimesadayhefoundhiseyeswanderinginherdirectionandfeastingthemselvesuponhercharmsoffaceandfigure。
　　Eachhourhisinfatuationforhergrew，untilhisdesiretopossesshergainedalmosttheproportionsofmadness。
　　IfeitherthegirlorMohammedBeydcouldhaveguessedwhatpassedinthemindofthemanwhicheachthoughtafriendandally，theapparentharmonyofthelittlecompanywouldhavebeenrudelydisturbed。
　　WerperhadnotsucceededinarrangingtotentwithMohammedBeyd，andsoherevolvedmanyplansfortheassassinationoftheArabthatwouldhavebeengreatlysimplifiedhadhebeenpermittedtosharetheother’snightlyshelter。
　　UpontheseconddayoutMohammedBeydreinedhishorsetothesideoftheanimalonwhichthecaptivewasmounted。Itwas，apparently，thefirstnoticewhichtheArabhadtakenofthegirl；butmanytimesduringthesetwodayshadhiscunningeyespeeredgreedilyfrombeneaththehoodofhisburnoosetogloatuponthebeautiesoftheprisoner。
　　Norwasthishiddeninfatuationofanyrecentorigin。
　　HehadconceiveditwhenfirstthewifeoftheEnglishmanhadfallenintothehandsofAchmetZek；butwhilethatausterechieftainlived，MohammedBeydhadnotevendaredhopeforarealizationofhisimaginings。
　　Now，though，itwasdifferent——onlyadespiseddogofaChristianstoodbetweenhimselfandpossessionofthegirl。Howeasyitwouldbetoslaytheunbeliever，andtakeuntohimselfboththewomanandthejewels！Withthelatterinhispossession，theransomwhichmightbeobtainedforthecaptivewouldformnogreatinducementtoherrelinquishmentinthefaceofthepleasuresofsoleownershipofher。Yes，hewouldkillWerper，retainallthejewelsandkeeptheEnglishwoman。
　　Heturnedhiseyesuponherassherodealongathisside。Howbeautifulshewas！Hisfingersopenedandclosed——skinny，browntalonsitchingtofeelthesoftfleshofthevictimintheirremorselessclutch。
　　"Doyouknow，"heaskedleaningtowardher，"wherethismanwouldtakeyou？"
　　JaneClaytonnoddedaffirmatively。
　　"Andyouarewillingtobecometheplaythingofablacksultan？"
　　Thegirldrewherselfuptoherfullheight，andturnedherheadaway；butshedidnotreply。ShefearedlestherknowledgeoftherusethatM。FrecoultwasplayingupontheArabmightcausehertobetrayherselfthroughaninsufficientdisplayofterrorandaversion。
　　"Youcanescapethisfate，"continuedtheArab；
　　"MohammedBeydwillsaveyou，"andhereachedoutabrownhandandseizedthefingersofherrighthandinagraspsosuddenandsofiercethatthisbrutalpassionwasrevealedasclearlyintheactasthoughhislipshadconfesseditinwords。JaneClaytonwrenchedherselffromhisgrasp。
　　"Youbeast！"shecried。"LeavemeorIshallcallM。
　　Frecoult。"
　　MohammedBeyddrewbackwithascowl。Histhin，upperlipcurledupward，revealinghissmooth，whiteteeth。
　　"M。Frecoult？"hejeered。"Thereisnosuchperson。
　　Theman’snameisWerper。Heisaliar，athief，andamurderer。HekilledhiscaptainintheCongocountryandfledtotheprotectionofAchmetZek。HeledAchmetZektotheplunderofyourhome。Hefollowedyourhusband，andplannedtostealhisgoldfromhim。
　　Hehastoldmethatyouthinkhimyourprotector，andhehasplayeduponthistowinyourconfidencethatitmightbeeasiertocarryyounorthandsellyouintosomeblacksultan’sharem。MohammedBeydisyouronlyhope，"andwiththisassertiontoprovidethecaptivewithfoodforthought，theArabspurredforwardtowardtheheadofthecolumn。
　　JaneClaytoncouldnotknowhowmuchofMohammedBeyd’sindictmentmightbetrue，orhowmuchfalse；butatleastithadtheeffectofdampeningherhopesandcausinghertoreviewwithsuspicioneverypastactofthemanuponwhomshehadbeenlookingashersoleprotectorinthemidstofaworldofenemiesanddangers。
　　Onthemarchaseparatetenthadbeenprovidedforthecaptive，andatnightitwaspitchedbetweenthoseofMohammedBeydandWerper。Asentrywaspostedatthefrontandanotherattheback，andwiththeseprecautionsithadnotbeenthoughtnecessarytoconfinetheprisonertobonds。TheeveningfollowingherinterviewwithMohammedBeyd，JaneClaytonsatforsometimeattheopeningofhertentwatchingtheroughactivitiesofthecamp。ShehadeatenthemealthathadbeenbroughtherbyMohammedBeyd’sNegroslave——amealofcassavacakesandanondescriptstewinwhichanew—killedmonkey，acoupleofsquirrelsandtheremainsofazebra，slainthepreviousday，wereimpartiallyandunsavorilycombined；buttheone—timeBaltimorebellehadlongsincesubmergedinthesternbattleforexistence，anestheticismwhichformerlyrevoltedatmuchslighterprovocation。
　　Asthegirl’seyeswanderedacrossthetrampledjungleclearing，alreadysqualidfromthepresenceofman，shenolongerapprehendedeitherthenearerobjectsoftheforeground，theuncouthmenlaughingorquarrelingamongthemselves，orthejunglebeyond，whichcircumscribedtheextremerangeofhermaterialvision。
　　Hergazepassedthroughallthese，unseeing，tocenteritselfuponadistantbungalowandscenesofhappysecuritywhichbroughttohereyestearsofmingledjoyandsorrow。Shesawatall，broad—shoulderedmanridinginfromdistantfields；shesawherselfwaitingtogreethimwithanarmfuloffresh—cutrosesfromthebusheswhichflankedthelittlerusticgatebeforeher。
　　Allthiswasgone，vanishedintothepast，wipedoutbythetorchesandbulletsandhatredofthesehideousanddegeneratemen。Withastifledsob，andalittleshudder，JaneClaytonturnedbackintohertentandsoughtthepileofuncleanblanketswhichwereherbed。
　　Throwingherselffacedownwarduponthemshesobbedforthhermiseryuntilkindlysleepbroughther，atleasttemporary，relief。
　　Andwhileshesleptafigurestolefromthetentthatstoodtotherightofhers。Itapproachedthesentrybeforethedoorwayandwhisperedafewwordsintheman’sear。Thelatternodded，andstrodeoffthroughthedarknessinthedirectionofhisownblankets。
　　ThefigurepassedtotherearofJaneClayton’stentandspokeagaintothesentrythere，andthismanalsoleft，followinginthetrailofthefirst。
　　Thenhewhohadsentthemawaystolesilentlytothetentflapanduntyingthefasteningsenteredwiththenoiselessnessofadisembodiedspirit。
　　21
　　TheFlighttotheJungleSleeplessuponhisblankets，AlbertWerperlethisevilminddwelluponthecharmsofthewomaninthenearbytent。HehadnotedMohammedBeyd’ssuddeninterestinthegirl，andjudgingthemanbyhisownstandards，hadguessedatthebasisoftheArab’ssuddenchangeofattitudetowardtheprisoner。
　　AndashelethisimaginingsrunriottheyarousedwithinhimabestialjealousyofMohammedBeyd，andagreatfearthattheothermightencompasshisbasedesignsuponthedefenselessgirl。Byastrangeprocessofreasoning，Werper，whosedesignswereidenticalwiththeArab’s，picturedhimselfasJaneClayton’sprotector，andpresentlyconvincedhimselfthattheattentionswhichmightseemhideoustoherifprofferedbyMohammedBeyd，wouldbewelcomedfromAlbertWerper。
　　Herhusbandwasdead，andWerperfanciedthathecouldreplaceinthegirl’sheartthepositionwhichhadbeenvacatedbytheactofthegrimreaper。HecouldofferJaneClaytonmarriage——athingwhichMohammedBeydwouldnotoffer，andwhichthegirlwouldspurnfromhimwithasdeepdisgustasshewouldhisunholylust。
　　ItwasnotlongbeforetheBelgianhadsucceededinconvincinghimselfthatthecaptivenotonlyhadeveryreasonforhavingconceivedsentimentsofloveforhim；
　　butthatshehadbyvariousfemininemethodsacknowledgedhernew—bornaffection。
　　Andthenasuddenresolutionpossessedhim。Hethrewtheblanketsfromhimandrosetohisfeet。Pullingonhisbootsandbucklinghiscartridgebeltandrevolverabouthishipshesteppedtotheflapofhistentandlookedout。Therewasnosentrybeforetheentrancetotheprisoner’stent！Whatcoulditmean？Fatewasindeedplayingintohishands。
　　Steppingoutsidehepassedtotherearofthegirl’stent。Therewasnosentrythere，either！Andnow，boldly，hewalkedtotheentranceandsteppedwithin。
　　Dimlythemoonlightilluminedtheinterior。Acrossthetentafigurebentabovetheblanketsofabed。Therewasawhisperedword，andanotherfigurerosefromtheblanketstoasittingposition。SlowlyAlbertWerper’seyeswerebecomingaccustomedtothehalfdarknessofthetent。Hesawthatthefigureleaningoverthebedwasthatofaman，andheguessedatthetruthofthenocturnalvisitor’sidentity。
　　Asullen，jealousrageenvelopedhim。Hetookastepinthedirectionofthetwo。Heheardafrightenedcrybreakfromthegirl’slipsassherecognizedthefeaturesofthemanaboveher，andhesawMohammedBeydseizeherbythethroatandbearherbackupontheblankets。
　　CheatedpassioncastaredblurbeforetheeyesoftheBelgian。No！Themanshouldnothaveher。Shewasforhimandhimalone。Hewouldnotberobbedofhisrights。
　　QuicklyheranacrossthetentandthrewhimselfuponthebackofMohammedBeyd。Thelatter，thoughsurprisedbythissuddenandunexpectedattack，wasnotonetogiveupwithoutabattle。TheBelgian’sfingerswerefeelingforhisthroat，buttheArabtorethemaway，andrisingwheeleduponhisadversary。AstheyfacedeachotherWerperstrucktheArabaheavyblowintheface，sendinghimstaggeringbackward。IfhehadfolloweduphisadvantagehewouldhavehadMohammedBeydathismercyinanothermoment；butinsteadhetuggedathisrevolvertodrawitfromitsholster，andFateordainedthatatthatparticularmomenttheweaponshouldstickinitsleatherscabbard。
　　Beforehecoulddisengageit，MohammedBeydhadrecoveredhimselfandwasdashinguponhim。AgainWerperstrucktheotherintheface，andtheArabreturnedtheblow。Strikingateachotherandceaselesslyattemptingtoclinch，thetwobattledaboutthesmallinteriorofthetent，whilethegirl，wide—eyedinterrorandastonishment，watchedtheduelinfrozensilence。
　　AgainandagainWerperstruggledtodrawhisweapon。
　　MohammedBeyd，anticipatingnosuchoppositiontohisbasedesires，hadcometothetentunarmed，exceptforalongknifewhichhenowdrewashestoodpantingduringthefirstbriefrestoftheencounter。
　　"DogofaChristian，"hewhispered，"lookuponthisknifeinthehandsofMohammedBeyd！Lookwell，unbeliever，foritisthelastthinginlifethatyoushallseeorfeel。WithitMohammedBeydwillcutoutyourblackheart。IfyouhaveaGodpraytohimnow——
　　inaminutemoreyoushallbedead，"andwiththatherushedviciouslyupontheBelgian，hiskniferaisedhighabovehishead。
　　Werperwasstilldraggingfutilelyathisweapon。TheArabwasalmostuponhim。IndesperationtheEuropeanwaiteduntilMohammedBeydwasallbutagainsthim，thenhethrewhimselftoonesidetothefloorofthetent，leavingalegextendedinthepathoftheArab。
　　Thetricksucceeded。MohammedBeyd，carriedonbythemomentumofhischarge，stumbledovertheprojectingobstacleandcrashedtotheground。Instantlyhewasupagainandwheelingtorenewthebattle；butWerperwasonfootaheadofhim，andnowhisrevolver，loosenedfromitsholster，flashedinhishand。
　　TheArabdoveheadfirsttograpplewithhim，therewasasharpreport，aluridgleamofflameinthedarkness，andMohammedBeydrolledoverandoveruponthefloortocometoafinalrestbesidethebedofthewomanhehadsoughttodishonor。
　　Almostimmediatelyfollowingthereportcamethesoundofexcitedvoicesinthecampwithout。Menwerecallingbackandforthtooneanotheraskingthemeaningoftheshot。Werpercouldhearthemrunninghitherandthither，investigating。
　　JaneClaytonhadrisentoherfeetastheArabdied，andnowshecameforwardwithoutstretchedhandstowardWerper。
　　"HowcanIeverthankyou，myfriend？"sheasked。
　　"AndtothinkthatonlytodayIhadalmostbelievedtheinfamousstorywhichthisbeasttoldmeofyourperfidyandofyourpast。Forgiveme，M。Frecoult。Imighthaveknownthatawhitemanandagentlemancouldbenaughtelsethantheprotectorofawomanofhisownraceamidthedangersofthissavageland。"
　　Werper’shandsdroppedlimplyathissides。Hestoodlookingatthegirl；buthecouldfindnowordstoreplytoher。Herinnocentarraignmentofhistruepurposeswasunanswerable。
　　Outside，theArabsweresearchingfortheauthorofthedisturbingshot。ThetwosentrieswhohadbeenrelievedandsenttotheirblanketsbyMohammedBeydwerethefirsttosuggestgoingtothetentoftheprisoner。Itoccurredtothemthatpossiblythewomanhadsuccessfullydefendedherselfagainsttheirleader。
　　Werperheardthemenapproaching。TobeapprehendedastheslayerofMohammedBeydwouldbeequivalenttoasentenceofimmediatedeath。ThefierceandbrutalraiderswouldteartopiecesaChristianwhohaddaredspillthebloodoftheirleader。HemustfindsomeexcusetodelaythefindingofMohammedBeyd’sdeadbody。
　　Returninghisrevolvertoitsholster，hewalkedquicklytotheentranceofthetent。Partingtheflapshesteppedoutandconfrontedthemen，whowererapidlyapproaching。Somehowhefoundwithinhimthenecessarybravadotoforceasmiletohislips，ashehelduphishandtobartheirfartherprogress。
　　"Thewomanresisted，"hesaid，"andMohammedBeydwasforcedtoshoother。Sheisnotdead——onlyslightlywounded。Youmaygobacktoyourblankets。MohammedBeydandIwilllookaftertheprisoner；"thenheturnedandre—enteredthetent，andtheraiders，satisfiedbythisexplanation，gladlyreturnedtotheirbrokenslumbers。
　　AsheagainfacedJaneClayton，Werperfoundhimselfanimatedbyquitedifferentintentionsthanthosewhichhadluredhimfromhisblanketsbutafewminutesbefore。TheexcitementofhisencounterwithMohammedBeyd，aswellasthedangerswhichhenowfacedatthehandsoftheraiderswhenmorningmustinevitablyrevealthetruthofwhathadoccurredinthetentoftheprisonerthatnight，hadnaturallycooledthehotpassionwhichhaddominatedhimwhenheenteredthetent。
　　Butanotherandstrongerforcewasexertingitselfinthegirl’sfavor。Howeverlowamanmaysink，honorandchivalry，hasheeverpossessedthem，areneverentirelyeradicatedfromhischaracter，andthoughAlbertWerperhadlongsinceceasedtoevidencetheslightestclaimtoeithertheoneortheother，thespontaneousacknowledgmentofthemwhichthegirl’sspeechhadpresumedhadreawakenedthembothwithinhim。
　　Forthefirsttimeherealizedthealmosthopelessandfrightfulpositionofthefaircaptive，andthedepthsofignominytowhichhehadsunk，thathadmadeitpossibleforhim，awell—born，Europeangentleman，tohaveentertainedevenforamomentthepartthathehadtakenintheruinofherhome，happiness，andherself。
　　Toomuchofbasenessalreadylayatthethresholdofhisconscienceforhimevertohopeentirelytoredeemhimself；butinthefirst，suddenburstofcontritionthemanconceivedanhonestintentiontoundo，insofaraslaywithinhispower，theevilthathiscriminalavaricehadbroughtuponthissweetandunoffendingwoman。
　　Ashestoodapparentlylisteningtotheretreatingfootsteps——JaneClaytonapproachedhim。
　　"Whatarewetodonow？"sheasked。"Morningwillbringdiscoveryofthis，"andshepointedtothestillbodyofMohammedBeyd。"Theywillkillyouwhentheyfindhim。"
　　ForatimeWerperdidnotreply，thenheturnedsuddenlytowardthewoman。
　　"Ihaveaplan，"hecried。"Itwillrequirenerveandcourageonyourpart；butyouhavealreadyshownthatyoupossessboth。Canyouendurestillmore？"
　　"Icanendureanything，"sherepliedwithabravesmile，"thatmayofferusevenaslightchanceforescape。"
　　"Youmustsimulatedeath，"heexplained，"whileIcarryyoufromthecamp。IwillexplaintothesentriesthatMohammedBeydhasorderedmetotakeyourbodyintothejungle。ThisseeminglyunnecessaryactIshallexplainuponthegroundsthatMohammedBeydhadconceivedaviolentpassionforyouandthathesoregrettedtheactbywhichhehadbecomeyourslayerthathecouldnotendurethesilentreproachofyourlifelessbody。"
　　Thegirlheldupherhandtostop。Asmiletouchedherlips。
　　"Areyouquitemad？"sheasked。"Doyouimaginethatthesentrieswillcreditanysuchridiculoustale？"
　　"Youdonotknowthem，"hereplied。"Beneaththeirroughexteriors，despitetheircallousedandcriminalnatures，thereexistsineachawell—definedstrainofromanticemotionalism——youwillfinditamongsuchasthesethroughouttheworld。Itisromancewhichluresmentoleadwildlivesofoutlawryandcrime。Therusewillsucceed——neverfear。"
　　JaneClaytonshrugged。"Wecanbuttryit——andthenwhat？"
　　"Ishallhideyouinthejungle，"continuedtheBelgian，"comingforyoualoneandwithtwohorsesinthemorning。"
　　"ButhowwillyouexplainMohammedBeyd’sdeath？"sheasked。"Itwillbediscoveredbeforeeveryoucanescapethecampinthemorning。"
　　"Ishallnotexplainit，"repliedWerper。"MohammedBeydshallexplainithimself——wemustleavethattohim。Areyoureadyfortheventure？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Butwait，Imustgetyouaweaponandammunition，"
　　andWerperwalkedquicklyfromthetent。
　　Veryshortlyhereturnedwithanextrarevolverandammunitionbeltstrappedabouthiswaist。
　　"Areyouready？"heasked。
　　"Quiteready，"repliedthegirl。
　　"Thencomeandthrowyourselflimplyacrossmyleftshoulder，"andWerperknelttoreceiveher。
　　"There，"hesaid，asherosetohisfeet。"Now，letyourarms，yourlegsandyourheadhanglimply。
　　Rememberthatyouaredead。"
　　Amomentlaterthemanwalkedoutintothecamp，thebodyofthewomanacrosshisshoulder。
　　Athornbomahadbeenthrownupaboutthecamp，todiscouragethebolderofthehungrycarnivora。A
　　coupleofsentriespacedtoandfrointhelightofafirewhichtheykeptburningbrightly。TheneareroftheselookedupinsurpriseashesawWerperapproaching。
　　"Whoareyou？"hecried。"Whathaveyouthere？"
　　Werperraisedthehoodofhisburnoosethatthefellowmightseehisface。
　　"Thisisthebodyofthewoman，"heexplained。
　　"MohammedBeydhasaskedmetotakeitintothejungle，forhecannotbeartolookuponthefaceofherwhomheloved，andwhomnecessitycompelledhimtoslay。Hesuffersgreatly——heisinconsolable。ItwaswithdifficultythatIpreventedhimtakinghisownlife。"
　　Acrossthespeaker’sshoulder，limpandfrightened，thegirlwaitedfortheArab’sreply。Hewouldlaughatthispreposterousstory；ofthatshewassure。InaninstanthewouldunmaskthedeceptionthatM。Frecoultwasattemptingtopracticeuponhim，andtheywouldbothbelost。Shetriedtoplanhowbestshemightaidherwould—berescuerinthefightwhichmustmostcertainlyfollowwithinamomentortwo。
　　ThensheheardthevoiceoftheArabasherepliedtoM。Frecoult。
　　"Areyougoingalone，ordoyouwishmetoawakensomeonetoaccompanyyou？"heasked，andhistonedenotednottheleastsurprisethatMohammedBeydhadsuddenlydiscoveredsuchremarkablysensitivecharacteristics。
　　"Ishallgoalone，"repliedWerper，andhepassedonandoutthroughthenarrowopeningintheboma，bywhichthesentrystood。
　　Amomentlaterhehadenteredamongthebolesofthetreeswithhisburden，andwhensafelyhiddenfromthesentry’sviewloweredthegirltoherfeet，withalow，"sh—sh，"whenshewouldhavespoken。
　　Thenheledheralittlefartherintotheforest，haltedbeneathalargetreewithspreadingbranches，buckledacartridgebeltandrevolveraboutherwaist，andassistedhertoclamberintothelowerbranches。
　　"Tomorrow，"hewhispered，"assoonasIcaneludethem，Iwillreturnforyou。Bebrave，LadyGreystoke——wemayyetescape。"
　　"Thankyou，"sherepliedinalowtone。"Youhavebeenverykind，andverybrave。"
　　Werperdidnotreply，andthedarknessofthenighthidthescarletflushofshamewhichsweptupwardacrosshisface。Quicklyheturnedandmadehiswaybacktocamp。Thesentry，fromhispost，sawhimenterhisowntent；buthedidnotseehimcrawlunderthecanvasattherearandsneakcautiouslytothetentwhichtheprisonerhadoccupied，wherenowlaythedeadbodyofMohammedBeyd。
　　Raisingtheloweredgeoftherearwall，Werpercreptwithinandapproachedthecorpse。Withoutaninstant’shesitationheseizedthedeadwristsanddraggedthebodyuponitsbacktothepointwherehehadjustentered。Onhandsandkneeshebackedoutashehadcomein，drawingthecorpseafterhim。OnceoutsidetheBelgiancrepttothesideofthetentandsurveyedasmuchofthecampaslaywithinhisvision——noonewaswatching。
　　Returningtothebody，heliftedittohisshoulder，andriskingallonaquicksally，ranswiftlyacrossthenarrowopeningwhichseparatedtheprisoner’stentfromthatofthedeadman。Behindthesilkenwallhehaltedandloweredhisburdentotheground，andthereheremainedmotionlessforseveralminutes，listening。