The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1920-12-17
CHAPTER xiv.

Tho Deadly Peril Of Jane Clayton.
Lieutenant Albert Werper, terrified
by contemplation Of the fate which
might await him at Ads Abeba, cast
about for some scheme of escape, but
after the black Mugambi had eluded
their vigilance the Abyssinians re-
doubled their precautions to prevent
Werper following the lead Of the ne
gro.
A day or so after Mugambi had dis
appeared. Werper asked for an audi
ence with Abdul Mourak. Abdul eyed
him, frowningly. what do you want
now?" he asked.
my liberty" replied Werper.
The Abyssinian sneered. "And you
disturbed me thus to tell me what any
fool might know" he said.
II can pay for It," said Werper.
Abdul Mourak laughed loudly. PAY
for it?" he cried. "What with-the
rags that you have upon your back?
Or, perhaps you are concealing be-
meath your coat thousand pounds Of
ivory. Get out! You are fool. Do
not bother me again or l shall have
you whipped"
But Werper persisted. His liberty
and perhaps his life depended upon
his success.
Listen to me-" he pleaded. "n
can give you as much gold as ten men
may carry will you promise that
shall be conducted in safety to the
nearest English commissioner"
"As much gold as ten men may
carryT" repeated Abdul Mourak. "Yor
are crazy"
81 know where 1t is hid" said Wer-
per. promise, and l will lead you to
tiff ten loads Is enough?"
Abdul Mourak had ceased to laugh.
He was eyeing the Belgian intently.
The fellow seemed sane enough-yet
ten loads of gold! 1t was preposter-
Gus.
"Well. and If I PROMISE" he said.
"How far is this gold?"
"a long weeks march to the SOUTH"
replied Werper.
say it is, do you realize what your
punishment will be?"
IF 1t is not there will forfeit my
life." replied the Belgian. 81 know 1t
is there, for l saw 1t buried with my
own eyes. And more-there are not
only ten loads, but as many as fifty
men may carry. 1t is all yours If you
will promise to see me safely delivered
into the protection of the English"
Very WELL" said the Abyssinian, 81
promise, and even if there be but five
loads you shall have your freedom
but until the gold is in my possession
you remain a prisoner"
Il am satisfied" said Werper. ITO
morrow we start?"
Abdul Mourak nodded, and the Bel
gian returned to his guards. The fol-
lowing day the Abyssinian soldiers
were surprised to receive an order
which turned their faces from the
northeast to the south.
While Werper dreamed of freedom
and the unmoIested enjoyment of the
fortune in his stolen pouch. and Abdul
Mourak lay awake In greedy contem-
platfon of the fifty loads of gold which
lay but a few days farther to the south
of him, Achmet Eek gave orders to
his lieutenants that they should pre-
pare force Of fighting men and car
riers to proceed to the ruins of the
Englishman's douar on the morrow
and bring back the fabulous fortune
which his renegade lieutenant had told
him was buried there.
And as he delivered his Instructions
to those within, silent listener
crouched without his tent, waiting for
the time when he might enter in safety
and prosecute his search for the miss
lug pouch and the pretty pebbles that
had caught his fancy.
At last the swarthy companions of
Achmet Eek quilted his tent and the
leader went with them to smoke pipe
with one of their number, leaving his
own silken habitation unguarded.
Scarcely had they left the interior
when knife blade was thrust through
the fabric of the rear wall, some six
feet above the ground. and a swift
downward stroke opened an entrance
to those who waited beyond.
Through the opening stepped the
ape-man. and close behind hiE1 came
the huge CAulk: but TagIst did not