The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1920-09-24

the language of the great apes. The
Belgian shook his head.
II do not understand that Ian
guage." he said in French.
Without effort, and apparently with
out realizing that he made the change,
Tarzan repeated his question in
French. Werper suddenly came to a
full realization of the magnitude of the
injury of which Tarzan was victim.
The man had lost his memory-no
longer could he recollect past events.
The Belgian was upon the point of en-
Tightening him, when it suddenly oc-
CURED to him that by keeping Tarzan
in ignorance, for time at least, of his
true identity, it might be possible to
turn the ape-man's misfortune to his
| own advantage.
Il cannot tell you from whence you
came" he said; "but this l can tell
you-if We do not get out of this hor-
rible place we shall both be slain upon
| this bloody altar. The woman was
about to plunge her knife into my
heart when the lion interrupted the
fiendish ritual. Come! Let US find
1
| Tarzan turned again toward La.
"Why," he asked. would you have
killed this man? Are you hungryr
The high priestess cried out in dis
gust, raised her slender arm, and
pointed toward the sun.
I'VE were offering up his soul as
gift to the Flaming God" she said.
Tarzan looked puzzled. He was
again an ape, and apes do not under
stand such matters as souls and Flam-
ing Gods.
do you wish to dieT he asked
Werper.
The Belgian assured him, with tears
in his eyes, that he did not wish to
die.
"very well. then: you shall not" said
Tarzan. Come! We will go. This
She would kill you and keep me for
herself 1t is no place, anyway, for a
Mangani. I should soon die, shut up
behind these stone walls"
He turned toward La. I'VE are 60
ing now" he said.
The woman rushed forward and
seized the ape-man's hands in hers.
do not leave me |" she cried "Stay
and you shall be high priest. La loves
you. All Opar shall be yours. Stay.
Tarzan of the Apes, and let love re-
ward you"
The ape-man pushed the kneeling
woman aside. "Tarzan does not desire
you," he said, simply. and stepping to
Werper's side he cut the Belgian's
bonds and motioned him to follow.
Panting-her face convulsed with
rage, La sprang to her feet.
"Stay, you shall !" she screamed.
La will have you-if she cannot have
you alive, she will have you dead" and
raising her face to the sun she gave
voice to the same hideous shrek that
Werper had heard once before and
Tarzan many times.
In answer to her cry a babel of
voices broke from the surrounding
chambers and corridors.
Come, guardian priests |" she cried.
'The infidels have profaned the holiest
of the holies. Come! Strike terror to
their hearts defend La and her altar !;
wash clean the temple with the blood
of the polluters !"
Tarzan understood, though Werper
did not. The former glanced ut the
Belgian and saw that he was unarmed.
Stepping quickly to Las side the ape
man seized her in his strong arms
and though she fought with all the
mad savagery of a demon. he soon
disarmed her. handing her long, sacri-
fetal knife to Werper.
"You will need this" he said. and
then from each doorway horde of the
monstrous, little men of Opar streamed
into the temple.
They were armed with bludgeons
and knives, and fortified in their eour-
age by fanatical hate and frenzy. Wer-
per was terrified. Tarzan stood eyeing
the foe in proud disdain. Slowly he
advanced toward the exit he had
chosen to utilize In making his way
from the temple. A burly priest
barred his way. Behind the first was
score of Others Tarzan swung his
heavy spear. clublike, down upon the
skull of the priest. The fellow col
| lapSed, his head crushed.
Again and again the weapon fell as
Tarzan made his way slowly toward
the doorway. Werper pressed close
behind, casting backward glances to-
ward the shrieklng. dancing mob men
| acing their rear. He held the sacri-
| fetal knife ready to strike whoever