Part 10 (1/2)

Tarzan's firstor vastly iovernreat European power This Lieutenant Gernois, as at present stationed at Sidi-bel-Abbes, had recently been attached to the general staff, where certain inforreat military value had come into his possession in the ordinary routine of his duties It was this inforreat poas bartering for with the officer

It was at ue hint dropped by a certain notorious Parisienne in a jealous mood that had caused suspicion to rest upon the lieutenant But general staffs are jealous of their secrets, and treason so serious a thing that even a hint of it lected And so it was that Tarzan had couise of an American hunter and traveler to keep a close eye upon Lieutenant Gernois

He had looked forith keen delight to again seeing his beloved Africa, but this northern aspect of it was so different froht as well have been back in Paris for all the heart thrills of ho through the narrow, crooked alleys of the Arab quarter enjoying the strange, new sights The next day found him at Sidi-bel-Abbes, where he presented his letters of introduction to both civil and ave no clew to the real significance of his lish to enable hi Arabs and Frenchmen as an American, and that was all that was required of it When he ht not betray hiners who understood that tongue, but could not note the slight imperfections of accent and pronunciation that were his

Here he became acquainted withthem Helittle or no social intercourse with his fellows

For aof moment occurred Gernois apparently had no visitors, nor did he on his occasional visits to the town hold coht of in power Tarzan was beginning to hope that, after all, the ruht have been false, when suddenly Gernois was ordered to Bou Saada in the Petit Sahara far to the south

A company of SPAHIS and three officers were to relieve another company already stationed there Fortunately one of the officers, Captain Gerard, had become an excellent friend of Tarzan's, and so when the ape-ested that he should e hi, it caused not the slightest suspicion

At Bouira the detachment detrained, and the balance of the journey wasat Bouira for a li him from the doorway of a native coffeehouse, but as Tarzan looked the edi faave the uing to Tarzan, whose equestrian experiences hitherto had been confined to a course of riding lessons in a Parisian acadeht the comforts of a bed in the Hotel Grossat, while the officers and troops took up their quarters at the h Tarzan was called early the following , the company of SPAHIS was on thethrough his et too far in advance of hi roo there in conversation with the very stranger he had seen in the coffee-house at Bouira the day previous He could not be ely fah the ered on the two, Gernois looked up and caught the intent expression on Tarzan's face The stranger was talking in a lohisper at the time, but the French officer immediately interrupted him, and the two at once turned away and passed out of the range of Tarzan's vision

This was the first suspicious occurrence that Tarzan had ever witnessed in connection with Gernois' actions, but he was positive that the ht Tarzan's eyes upon them; then there was the persistent i which would bear watching

A moment later Tarzan entered the barrooht of theh he found a pretext to ride to various shops before he set out after the column which had now considerable start of him He did not overtake them until he reached Sidi Aissa shortly after noon, where the soldiers had halted for an hour's rest Here he found Gernois with the coluer

It was market day at Sidi Aissa, and the nu in fro Arabs in thedesire to reht see more of these sons of the desert Thus it was that the company of SPAHIS marched on that afternoon toward Bou Saada without hi about the market in company with a youthful Arab, one Abdul, who had been recommended to him by the innkeeper as a trustworthy servant and interpreter

Here Tarzan purchased a betterinto conversation with the stately Arab to whoed, learned that the seller was Kadour ben Saden, sheik of a desert tribe far south of Djelfa Through Abdul, Tarzan invited his new acquaintance to dine with hih the crowds of marketers, camels, donkeys, and horses that filled thebabel of sounds, Abdul plucked at Tarzan's sleeve

”Look, ure which disappeared behind a ca us about all afternoon,” continued Abdul

”I caught only a glimpse of an Arab in a dark-blue burnoose and white turban,” replied Tarzan ”Is it he you er here, without other business than following us, which is not the way of the Arab who is honest, and also because he keeps the lower part of his face hidden, only his eyes showing He must be a bad man, or he would have honest business of his own to occupy his ti scent then, Abdul,” replied Tarzan, ”for no one here can have any grievance against me This is my first visit to your country, and none knows me He will soon discover his error, and cease to follow us”

”Unless he be bent on robbery,” returned Abdul

”Then all we can do is wait until he is ready to try his hand upon us,”

laughed Tarzan, ”and I warrant that he will get his bellyful of robbing now that we are prepared for hih he was destined to recall it before h adined well, prepared to take leave of his host With dignified protestations of friendshi+p, he invited Tarzan to visit hi, the boar, the panther, and the lion ht still be found in sufficient numbers to tempt an ardent huntsman

On his departure the ape-ain into the streets of Sidi Aissa, where he was soon attracted by the wild din of sound co from the open doorway of one of the nu was in full swing as Tarzan entered The roo, and drinking their thick, hot coffee

Tarzan and Abdul found seats near the center of the rooh the terrific noise produced by the musicians upon their Arab drums and pipes would have rendered a seat farther froood-looking Ouled-Nail was dancing, and, perceiving Tarzan's European clothes, and scenting a generous gratuity, she threw her silken handkerchief upon his shoulder, to be rewarded with a franc