Part 50 (1/2)

”No,” he answered, ”but I saw hih! I'll deal with him!”

I suppose Fred intended to knock the professor down and belabor him with the same stick he had used on ht hi pistol, and leveled it

”Any nonsense, and I shoot you all!” he announced

That ended the battle as far as ere concerned We had no firearschen wasted no time on explanations, but beckoned his Zulu and walked off, striding at a great pace and only looking back over his shoulder once or twice to make sure ere not in pursuit

Fred and Will lentas fast as I could all that had happened, and they trying to chaff me back into a sensible fra!” I insisted ”He slept on hts when I had fever!”

”I know it,” Fred answered ”Will and I lay and scratched, while you rested, with proper flea-food for protection! Don't worry, we'll find you another dog!”

Schillingschen's consideration foruse of ed into the openhiht rinned Will ”I'll bet the brute has an earache!”

”And teeth-ache!” added Fred

”And I'll bet he has gone to prepare us a hot reception!” said I ”He owns this town!”

But nothing happened immediately on our return into the town Actually Fred and Will had been outside townshi+p li foul play as soon as they saith Schillingschen, they had followed at once They were as eance lit on theschen carried in the ha to the coot back to caeance we felt sure was overdue, but none caain and to talk about the dhow Fred and Will had exalasses fro its size and general condition

”Even if it leaks rather badly,” said Will, ”we could reach some island, and beach it there, and caulk it”

”How about that launch, that brought the professor and Lady Saffren Waldon?” I asked

”What about it?”

”Couldn't they folloith that?”

”You bet they could!” said Will ”We've either got to spike the launch's boilers, or give theht steal the launch!” suggested Fred, but that was too wild a proposal to be taken seriously The launch was the apple of the Gerine crew slept on it always

The prospect was unpro as ever, yet I went to bed and listened to the strains of Fred's concertina in the next tent with less foreboding than at any ti Muanza, and fell asleep to the tune of Silver Hairs a when hope or courage stirred hiht by a hand on ht of a lantern in my eyes

”Hus-s-s-h!” said some one ”Don't speak yet! Listen!”

It was a woman's voice, and it puzzled me indescribably, for a sick man's wits don't work swiftly as a rule when he lies between sleeping and waking

”Listen!” said the voice again ”I must come to terms with you three men! You are the only hope left me! I have no friends in Muanza--and none whom I trust! Those Greeks and that Goanese would sell s!”

”But who are you?” I asked stupidly

For answer she held the lantern so that I could see her face Her hand tre shadows, but even so I could see she looked drawn and aged

”Where is your maid, then, Lady Waldon?” I asked, for it seeh thick and thin

”Ask the commandant!” she answered ”The poor fool thinks he will marry her! Little she knows of the Gerer! I have walked through the shadows fro this lantern after I was inside the hedge nobody knows I am here One watchman was asleep; the others did not seeas they don't suspect I am here we can talk safely”