Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-07-21

"What Is the meaning Of thlsf" The
stranger addressed his question to
Meriem in tongue she did not under
sand. She shook her head and spoke
in Arabic. Instantly the man changed
his question to that language. M
These men are taking me AWAY
from Korak," painted the girl. "This
one would have harmed me. The 9TH
er who he Inns just killed, tried to stop
him. They were both very bad men,
but this one is the worse. Ii my Korak
were here he would kill him. l sup
pose YOU are like them, sd YOU will not
kill him" .f.,.I
The stranger smiled. "He deserves
killing" he said. There is no doubt
of that. Once should have killed him,
but now not. ] will see, though, that
he does not bother you any more"
He was holding Malbihn In grasp
the giant Swede could not break,
though he struggled TO do SO, and he
was holding him ms easily ms Malbihn
might have held little child. yet NAL
hihn was II huge man, nightly thewcd.
The Swedc began to rage and curse.
He struck at his captor, only TO he
twisted about and held nj arms length.
Then he shouted TO his boys TO come
and Kill the stranger.
In response dozen strange blacks
entered the tent. They, too, were pow
erful. clean limbed men, not at all
like the NANCY crew that followed the
Swedes.
I'VE have had enough foolishness,"
said the stranger to Malbihn. You
deserve death, but | am not the law.
] know now who you are. / have
heard OF YOU before. You and your
friend bear most unsavory reputa-
ton. We do not want you In our coun-
try, | shall let YOU 20 this time. but
should you ever return shall take the
law into my own hands. Now, get our,
and next time YOU see me remember
who | am and he spoke n name in
the Swcdc's cara name that more
cffcctually subdued the scoundrel than
many beatings. Then he gave him
push that carried him Bodily through
the tent doorway. to sprawl upon the
turf beyond.
"Now," he said, turning toward Mer
lem. "Who has the key TO this thing
about your ncckY"
The girl pointed to Jenssen's body.
"IIe carried it always" she said.
The stranger searched the clothing
on the corpse until he came upon the
key. \ moment more Meriem was
free.
"Will YOU let me go back to my Ko-
ruki" She asked.
Il will see that you are returned TO
Your people" the stranger replied.
who are they, and where is their viii
lager"
lie had been cycling her strange, bar
barrie garmenture wonderngly. From
her speech she was evidently nm Arab
girl, but he had never before seen one
thus clothed.
"Who are your people? Who is Ko-
rak:" Ire asked again. ~
"Korak. Why, Korak is nm ape.
have 40 other people. Korak and |
live i'm the jungle alone since. Ait
went TO be king of the apes" She had
always thus. pronounced Akut's name,
for So it had sounded to her when first
she came with Korak and the ape.
\ questioning expression entered the
strangers eyes. He looked at the girl
closely.
$50 Korak Is an ape:" he said. and
what, pray, are your"
81 am Meriem. also am an ape"
MN" was the strangers only oral
comment upon this startling announce
ment. But what he thought might
have been partially interpreted through
the plying light that entered his eyes.
He approached the girl and started to
lay his hand upon her forehead. She
drew back with savage little growl.
a smile touched his lips.
You need not fear me-" he said II
shall not harm you. ! only wish to
discover if YOU have fever-if you are
entirely well. If you are we will set
forth in search of Korak.'