The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1914-04-09
CONTINUED from Page Threel


several letters before he retired. After
sealing and addressing them he placed
them all in an envelope addressed to
OArnot. As he undressed D'Arnot
heard him humming music hall dirty.
"This is most uncivilized hour for
people to kill each other" remarked
the ape-man when he had been routed
out of comfortable bed in the black
ness of the early morning hours. He
had slept well. and so it seemed that
his head had scarcely touched the pill
low ere his man deferentially aroused
him. His remark was addressed to
D'Arnot.
In silence they entered D'Arnot's
great car. and in similar silence they
sped over the dim road that leads to
Etampes. Each man was occupied
with his own thoughts. D'Arnot's
were very mournful. for he was genu-
inely fond Of Tarzan.
Tarzan Of the Apes was wrapped in
thoughts Of the past, pleasant memo
ries Of the happier occasions Of his lost
jungle life. He recalled the countless
boyhood hours that he had spent cross
legged upon the table in his dead IA
Tiers cabin. his little brown body bent
over one of the fascinating picture
books from which unaided he had
cleaned the secret Of the printed Ian
guage long before the sounds Of hui
man speech fell upon his ears. A smile
Of contentment softened his strong
face as he thought Of that day Of days
that he had had alone with Jane Por-
ter In the heart of his primeval forest.
Presently his "reminiscences were bro
ken In upon by the stopping Of the car.
They were at their destination. Tar
sans mind returned to the affairs Of
the moment. He knew that he was
about to die, but there was no fear Of
death In him. To denizen Of the
cruel jungle death is commonplace.
The first law Of nature compels them
to cling tenaciously to life-to fight for
it-but 1t does not teach them to fear
death.
D'Arnot and Tarzan were first upon
the field of honor. A moment later De
Coude, M. Flaubert and third gentle
man arrived. The last was introduced
to D'Arnot and Tarzan. He was a ply
sician.
D'Arnot and M. Flaubert spoke to-
gether In whispers for brief time
The Count de Coude and Tarzan stood
apart at opposite sides of the field.
D'Arnot and NJ. Flaubert had exam
ined both pistols. The two men who
were to face each other a moment later
stood silently while M. Flaubert re-
cited the conditions that they were to
observe.
They were to stand back to back. At
q signal from NJ. Flaubert they were
to walk In opposite directions, their
pistols hanging by their sides. When
each had proceeded ten PAGES D'Arnot
was to give the final signal-then they
were to turn and fire at will until one
fell or each had expended the three
shots allowed.
While NJ. Flaubert spoke Tarzan Sc
lected q cigarette from his case and
lighted It. De C0ude was the persona
hcation of coolness-was not he the
best shot in France?
Presently Nj. Flaubert nodded to
D'Arnot and each man placed his prin-
cipal In position.
..Are you quite ready, gentlemen"
asked Nj. Flaubert.
"Quite." replied De Coude.
Tarzan nodded. NJ. Flaubert gave
the signal. He and D'Arnot stepped
back a few PAGES to be out OF the line
Of fire as the men paced slowly apart
Six: Seven. Eight. There were tears
in D'Arnot's eyes. He loved Tarzan
very much. Nine! Another pace and
the poor lieutenant gave the signal he
no hated to give. To him it sounded
the doom Of his best friend.
Quickly De Coude wheeled and fired.
Tarzan gave little start. His pistol
stdll dangIed at his side. De Coude
hesitated. as though waiting to see mis-
antagonist crumple to the ground. Tne
Frenchman was too experienced
marksman not to know that he had
scored a hit. Still TarZan made no
move to raise his pistol. De Coude
Aired once more, but the attitude OF the
.no-man-the utter indifference that
was go apparent in every line OF the
nonchalant ease Of his giant figure and
the even. unruffied putting of his ciga-
rctte-bad disconnected the best marks
man In France. This time Tarzan did
not start, but again De Coude knew
that he had hit.
suddenly the explanation leaped to
~. mind-his antagonist was coolly
Ealing these terrible chances In the
hone that he would receive no stagger-
tho wound from any Of De Coude's
three shots. Then he would take his
own time about shooting De Coude
down deliberately, coolly and in cold
Mood A little SILVER ran up the
Erenchman's spine. 1t was fiendish-
S,oholicaI. What manner of creature
was this that could stand complacently
With two bullets in him. waiting for the
third?