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第26章

the return of tarzan-第26章

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him mad。  As the last note of that fiendish challenge died out

in the diminishing echoes of the distance the man dropped

his eyes until they rested upon the girl。



Instantly his face was lighted by the kindly smile that was

ample assurance of his sanity; and the girl breathed freely

once again; smiling in response。



〃What manner of man are you?〃 she asked。  〃The thing

you have done is unheard of。  Even now I cannot believe

that it is possible for a lone man armed only with a knife to

have fought hand to hand with EL ADREA and conquered him;

unscathedto have conquered him at all。  And that cryit

was not human。  Why did you do that?〃



Tarzan flushed。  〃It is because I forget;〃 he said; 〃sometimes;

that I am a civilized man。  When I kill it must be that I am

another creature。〃  He did not try to explain further; for it

always seemed to him that a woman must look with loathing

upon one who was yet so nearly a beast。



Together they continued their journey。  The sun was an

hour high when they came out into the desert again beyond

the mountains。  Beside a little rivulet they found the girl's

horses grazing。  They had come this far on their way home;

and with the cause of their fear no longer present had

stopped to feed。



With little trouble Tarzan and the girl caught them; and;

mounting; rode out into the desert toward the DOUAR of

Sheik Kadour ben Saden。



No sign of pursuit developed; and they came in safety

about nine o'clock to their destination。  The sheik had but

just returned。  He was frantic with grief at the absence of

his daughter; whom he thought had been again abducted by

the marauders。  With fifty men he was already mounted to go

in search of her when the two rode into the DOUAR。



His joy at the safe return of his daughter was only equaled

by his gratitude to Tarzan for bringing her safely to him

through the dangers of the night; and his thankfulness that

she had been in time to save the man who had once saved her。



No honor that Kadour ben Saden could heap upon the ape…

man in acknowledgment of his esteem and friendship was

neglected。  When the girl had recited the story of the slaying

of EL ADREA Tarzan was surrounded by a mob of worshiping

Arabsit was a sure road to their admiration and respect。



The old sheik insisted that Tarzan remain indefinitely as his

guest。  He even wished to adopt him as a member of the tribe;

and there was for some time a half…formed resolution in the

ape…man's mind to accept and remain forever with these wild

people; whom he understood and who seemed to understand him。

His friendship and liking for the girl were potent

factors in urging him toward an affirmative decision。



Had she been a man; he argued; he should not have hesitated;

for it would have meant a friend after his own heart;

with whom he could ride and hunt at will; but as it was they

would be hedged by the conventionalities that are even more

strictly observed by the wild nomads of the desert than by

their more civilized brothers and sisters。  And in a little while

she would be married to one of these swarthy warriors; and

there would be an end to their friendship。  So he decided

against the sheik's proposal; though he remained a week as

his guest。



When he left; Kadour ben Saden and fifty white…robed

warriors rode with him to Bou Saada。  While they were

mounting in the DOUAR of Kadour ben Saden the morning

of their departure; the girl came to bid farewell to Tarzan。



〃I have prayed that you would remain with us;〃 she said

simply; as he leaned from his saddle to clasp her hand in

farewell; 〃and now I shall pray that you will return。〃

There was an expression of wistfulness in her beautiful

eyes; and a pathetic droop at the corners of her mouth。

Tarzan was touched。



〃Who knows?〃 and then he turned and rode after the

departing Arabs。



Outside Bou Saada he bade Kadour ben Saden and his men

good…by; for there were reasons which made him wish to

make his entry into the town as secret as possible; and when

he had explained them to the sheik the latter concurred in

his decision。  The Arabs were to enter Bou Saada ahead of

him; saying nothing as to his presence with them。

Later Tarzan would come in alone; and go directly to

an obscure native inn。



Thus; making his entrance after dark; as he did; he was not

seen by any one who knew him; and reached the inn unobserved。

After dining with Kadour ben Saden as his guest; he went to

his former hotel by a roundabout way; and; coming in by a

rear entrance; sought the proprietor; who seemed much

surprised to see him alive。



Yes; there was mail for monsieur; he would fetch it。

No; he would mention monsieur's return to no one。

Presently he returned with a packet of letters。  One was an

order from his superior to lay off on his present work;

and hasten to Cape Town by the first steamer he could get。

His further instructions would be awaiting him there in the

hands of another agent whose name and address were given。

That was allbrief but explicit。  Tarzan arranged to leave

Bou Saada early the next morning。  Then he started for the

garrison to see Captain Gerard; whom the hotel man had told

him had returned with his detachment the previous day。



He found the officer in his quarters。  He was filled with

surprise and pleasure at seeing Tarzan alive and well。



〃When Lieutenant Gernois returned and reported that he

had not found you at the spot that you had chosen to remain

while the detachment was scouting; I was filled with alarm。

We searched the mountain for days。  Then came word that

you had been killed and eaten by a lion。  As proof your

gun was brought to us。  Your horse had returned to camp

the second day after your disappearance。  We could not doubt。

Lieutenant Gernois was grief…strickenhe took all the

blame upon himself。  It was he who insisted on carrying on

the search himself。  It was he who found the Arab with your gun。

He will be delighted to know that you are safe。〃



〃Doubtless;〃 said Tarzan; with a grim smile。



〃He is down in the town now; or I should send for him;〃

continued Captain Gerard。  〃I shall tell him as soon

as he returns。〃



Tarzan let the officer think that he had been lost; wandering

finally into the DOUAR of Kadour ben Saden; who had

escorted him back to Bou Saada。  As soon as possible he bade

the good officer adieu; and hastened back into the town。

At the native inn he had learned through Kadour ben Saden a

piece of interesting information。  It told of a black…bearded

white man who went always disguised as an Arab。  For a time

he had nursed a broken wrist。  More recently he had been

away from Bou Saada; but now he was back; and Tarzan

knew his place of concealment。  It was for there he headed。



Through narrow; stinking alleys; black as Erebus; he groped;

and then up a rickety stairway; at the end of which was a

closed door and a tiny; unglazed window。  The window was

high under the low eaves of the mud building。  Tarzan could

just reach the sill。  He raised himself slowly until his

eyes topped it。  The room within was lighted; and at a table

sat Rokoff and Gernois。  Gernois was speaking。



〃Rokoff; you are a devil!〃 he was saying。  〃You have hounded

me until I have lost the last shred of my honor。  You have

driven me to murder; for the blood of that man Tarzan is on

my hands。  If it were not that that other devil's spawn;

Paulvitch; still knew my secret; I should kill you here tonight

with my bare hands。〃



Rokoff laughed。  〃You would not do that; my dear lieutenant;〃

he said。  〃The moment I am reported dead by assassination

that dear Alexis will forward to the minister of war full

proof of the affair you so ardently long to conceal; and;

further; will charge you with my murder。  Come; be sensible。

I am your best friend。  Have I not protected your honor as

though it were my own?〃



Gernois sneered

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