Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-11-10
CHAPTER TX.
When Thieves Fall Out.

~ inc TWO SWcucS appfOncnou the
y village OF Kovudoo with friendly
words upon their tongues and
deep craft in their hearts.
Their plans we've well made. There
was no mention or the white prisoner
They chose TO pretend that they were
not aware that Kovudoo had Il white
prisoner. They exchanged gifts with
tho old chief, hugglng with his plcni
DotentiaricS over the value of what
they were to receive for what they
gave, rs Is customary and proper when
one has no Interior motives. Unwnr-
rantcd generosity would have aroused
suspicion.
During the palavcr which followed
they rctailcd the gossip Of the villages
through which they had passed, rcccv-
ing In exchange such news as Kovudoo
possessed. The palavcr was long and
tiresome, as these native ceremonies al
! ""''s larci to EuNca} ealhi,y. Kovu0oo made
III mention OF his prisoner, and from
his generous offers OF guides and pres
cnts seemed anxious to assure himself
OF the speedy departure Of his guests.
1t was Malbihn who, quite casually,
near the close OF their talk, mentioned
the fact that the Sheik was dead. Kov-
udoo evinccd interest and surprise.
"YOu did not know IT," asked NAL
bihn. "That Is strange. 1t was during
the last moon. lie fell from his horse
when the beast stepped in n hole The
horse fell upon him. When ,/ilis men
came up the shck was quite dead"
Kovudoo scratched his head. He was
much disappointed. No Sheik meant no
ransom for the white girl.
II know where there is Il white girl"
he said unexpectedly. ar YOU wish to
buy her she may be had cheap"
Malbihn shrugged. 1--WE have trouble
enough, Kovudoo," he said, without
burdcnng ourselves with an old, bro
ken down she hycna, and rs for paying
for one Malbihn snapped his fingers.
"She Is young" said Kovudoo, "and
good looking"
The Swedes laughed. "rhere are no
sood looking white women in the jun
gle, Kovudoo," said Jensen. "You
should be ashamed to try to make fun
of old friends"
kovudoo sprang to his feet, Come"
he said. Il will show you
Malbihn and .lcnsScn rose to follow
him, and as they did so their eyes met,
and Malbihn slowly dropped one of his
Ids In sly wink. Together they fol-
lowed kovudoa towarA his hut. In
the dim interior they disccrned the
figure Of woman lying bound upon a
sleeping mat
Malbihn took single glance and
sand years old, Kovudoo." he said as
he left the hut
'She is young" cried the savage.
ut Is dark In here. You cannot see.
Wait. l will have her brought out in
the snhlight." And he commanded the
two warriors who watched the girl to
cut the bonds from her ankles and lead
her forth for inspection.
Mnlbihn and Jensen evinced no
cagcrness, though both were fairly
bursting with il. not to see the girl,
but to obtain possession Of her. They
cared not If she had the face of a mar
mosct or the figure Of pot bcllicd Ko-
vudoo himself. All that they wished
TO know was that she was the girl who
had been stolen from the shcik several
years before. They thought that they
would recognize her for such if she
were indeed the same. But even SO,
the testimony of the runner Kovudoo
had sent to the shcik was such as to
assure them that the girl was the one
they had once before attempted to alb
duct.
AS Mcricm was brought forth from
the darkness of the hut's interior the
two men turned, with every appear.
ance OF disintercstcdncss, to glance at
her. 1t was with difficulty that Nal
bihn suppressed an ejaculation OF MS
tonishmcnt. The girls beauty fairly
took his breath from him. But in.
stantly he recovered his poise and
turned to Kovudoo.
"WcllT' he said to the old chief.
"1s she not both young and good
looking? asked Kovudoo.
"She Is not DID," replied Malbihn
But even so, she will be burden.
we did not come from the north after