The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1920-12-03

t'e Je"eis Hilu neceSSltated night, the
beiglan had dreamed, in his planning,
OF future in which he might convince
Lady Greystoke that her husband was
oead, and by playing upon her graft
tude win her for himself.
AT that part of the village farthest
from the gates Werper discovered that
two or three long poles, taken from a
nearby pile which had been collected
Tor The construction of huts. hard been
leaned against the top of the palisade,
forming a precarious. though not i'm
possible. avenue of escape
Rightly, he inferred that thus had
Lady Greystoke found the means to
scale the wall, nor did he lose even
moment In following her lead. Once
In the jungle he struck out directly
eastward.
A few miles south of him, Jane Clay
ton lay painting among the branches of
a tree In which she had taken refuge
from proving and hungry lioness.
Her escape from the village had been
much easier than she had anticipated.
The knife which she had used to cut
her way through the brush wall of
the hut to freedom, she had found
sticking in the wall of her prison,
doubtless left there by accident when
former tenant had vacated the prem
ises.
For an hour she had followed the
old game trail toward the south, until
there fell upon her trained hearing the
stealthy padding of stalking beast
Dehlnd her. The nearest tree gave her
instant sanctuary, for she was too
wise In the ways of the jungle to
chance her safety for moment after
discovering that she was being hunted.
Werper, with better success, trav-
eled slowly onward until dawn, when,
to his chagrin, he discovered q mount
ed Arab upon his trail. 1t was one Of
Achmet Zek's minions. many of whom
were scattered in all directions through
the forest, searching for the fugitive
Belgian.
Jane Clayton's escape had not yet
been discovered when Achmet Eek and
his searchers set forth to overhaul
Werper.
With the discovery of the Arab close
behind him, the Belgian hid in the
foliage Of leafy bush. Here the trail
ran straight for a considerable dis
tance, and down the shady forest aisle
beneath the overarching branches OF
the trees. rode the white-robed figure
Of the pursuer.
Nearer and nearer he came Wer
per crOuched closer to the ground be
hind the leaves of his hiding place
Across the trail vine moved. Wer
per's eyes instantly centered upon the
spot. There was no wind to stir the
foliage In the depths of the jungle
Again the vine moved. In the mind OF
the Belgian only the presence of a
count for the phenomenon
The mans eyes bored steadily into
the screen of leaves upon the opposite
side of the trail. Gradually form
took shape beyond them-a tawny
form, grim and terrible, with yellow
green eyes glaring fearsomely across
the narrow trail straight into his.
Werper could have screamed in
fright. but up the trail was coming the
sure and no less terrible. He re-
manned silent. almost paralyzed by
fear. The Arab approached. Across
the trail from Werper the lion
crouched for the spring, when sudden
ly his attention was attracted toward
the horseman.
The Belgian saw the massive head
turn in the direction of the raider
and his heart all but ceased its beat
ing as he waited the result Of this in
terruption. At walk the horseman
approached. Werper shuddered and
half rose. At the same instant the lion
sprang from his place of concealment,
full upon the mounted man. The horse,
with shrill neigh of terror, shrank
sideways almost upon the Belgian, the
lion dragged the helpless Arab from
his saddle. and the horse leaped back
into the trail and flew away toward
the west.