The spectator., 1920-06-04

For some time the Hon paced. growing and moaning, beneath the tree in which Jane Clayton croucked. panting and trembling. It was almost dark before he finally quit the clear ing. and even had his place beside the remnants of the mangled ape not been Immediately usurped by pack of hyenas, Jane Clayton would scarcely have dared venture from her refuge in the face of impending night.
 Tired nature at last overcame even her fears, and she dropped into deep slumber, cradled in comparatively safe, though rather uncomfortable. po- sition against the bole of the tree, and supported by two large branches which grew outward. almost horizontally, but a few inches apart.
 The sun was high in the heavens when she at last awoke, and beneath her was no sign either of Numa or the hyenas. Both hunger and thirst as- sailed her now, and realizing that she must descend or die of starvarion, she at last summoned courage to under take the ordeal of continuing her jour- ney through the jungle.
 Descending from the tree. she set out in Q southerly direction. toward the point where she believed the plains of Wazlri lay. and though she knew that only ruin and desolation marked the spot where once her happy home had stood. she hoped that by coming to the broad plain she might eventual ly reach one of the numerous Waziri villages that were scattered over the surrounding country, or chance upon a rowing band of these indefatigable huntsmen.
 The day was half spent when there broke unexpectedly upon her startled ears the sound of a rife shot not far ahead of her. As she paused to listen. this first shot was followed by another and another. What could 1t mean?
 As the firing became less rapid she caught the sound of mems voices. though she could distinguish no words, and she heard two men calling to each other in loud tones. Then there was n long silence which was finally broken by the stealthy padding of footballs on the trail ahead of her. and in another moment a man appeared in view back ing toward her. rife in his hands. and his eyes directed in careful watch fitness along the way that he had come.
 Almost instantly Jane Clayton rec ognized the man as NJ. Jules Frecoult, who so recently had been a guest In her home. She was upon the point of calling to him in glad relief when she saw him leap quickly to one side and hide himself in the thick verdure at the trails side. It was evident that he was being followed by an enemy. and so Jane Clayton kept silence. lest she distract FrecOult's attention, or guide his foe to his hiding place.
 Scarcely had Trecoult hidden him. Arab crept silently along the trail in pursuit. From her hiding place. Jane Clayton could see both men plainly. She recognized Achmet Eek as the leader of the ruffians who had raided her home and made her a prisoner. and as she saw Frecoult. the supposed friend and ally. raise his gun and take careful aim at the Arab, hes heart stood still and every power of her soul was directed upon fervent prayer for tn" accuracy of his aim.
 Achmet Eek paused In the middle of the .vail. His keen eyes scanned every bush and tree within the radius of his vision. His tall figure presented per feet target to the perfdious assassin. There was sharp report. and little pun of smoke arose from the bush that hid the Beloian. as Achmet Eek stumbled forward and pitched. face down. upon the trail.
 As Werper stepped back into the trail, he was startled by the sound of a glad cry from above him. and as he wheeled about to discover the author of this unexpected Interruption, he saw Jane Clayton drop lightly from a nearby tree and run forward with out stretched hands to congratulate him upon his victory.
 If the Belgian had entertained any doubts as to the womans knowledge of his part in the pertidious attack upon her home and herself. 1t was quickly dissipated by the genuine of her greeting. She told him quickly of all that had befallen her since he had departed from her home. and as she spoke of the death of her husband her eyes were yelled by the tears which she could not re- press.
 'I am shocked" said Werper, in sympathy: but 1 am not surprised. That devil there," and he pointed toward the body of Achmet Eek. 'hns terrorized the entire coun- try. Your WaxIri are either exter. or have been driven out of | their country. far to the south. Our | only hope lies in travelling northward as rnDIdlv as wo may nf coming tc tho