Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1924-04-12
Diamonds Of Malopo
BY VICTOR ROUSSEAU
Copyright By ". G. Chapman
CHAPTER Xl-Contirued.


is
Winton, feeling decidedly suDordl-
nate, suffered Ned TO give HIS direc-
lions to his boys. Within few
minutes the natives, lined up in groups,
were submitting to the most rigorous
Inspection devised Mouths were pried
open and tongues pulled up, clothing
ripped open, heels broken of patent
leather dancing shoes 1t was weird
scene in the light Of the full African
moon, and one that impressed itself
on Wlnton's mind indeIibiy.
He began to understand Van Beers
viewpoint better. and he realized as
never before the volcano Of sayagery
that slumbered beneath the veneer Of
civilization In Africa
When the search was at an end. and
the natives had been driven into their
sleeping quarters, Josephs and Ned
came up to Winton. each holding out
two handfuls OF pebbles. Winton
looked at them for some seconds be
fore he realized that they We're large
diamonds
He stared at them, and then at Ned;
aud suddenly he shook the old man by
the shoulders
Ned, you've got your speech back"
be shouted. do you know that?
Speak, man"
Ned opened his mouth and from his
throat issued succession Of cultural
clicks. It was Hottentot-W inton
knew that. but no more.
Speak English. mani" he shouted.
But Ned only looked ut Winton
mournfully The blow upon the skull
had shattered all but that corner Of
Brocas convolution in which the Hot
teptot speech-center had been created
Hottent0t Ned could speak; but that
would be his sole tongue for the re-
malnder Of his years.
He began talking rapidly to Jo-
sephs. who listened and translated.
He says, Mr.. Garrett" announced
the compound manager, that he
warned you at the hospital. and
thought you understood He says that
he had suspected Seaton OF buying
stones from the boys and selling them
10 De witt through Van Worst. lie
taxed him with 1t, and Seaton broke
down and confessed. That was on the
night Of the robbery. Mr.. Burns meant
TO tell you at once, but you had gone
TO bed early. Seaton must have got
word to Van Worst to finish the job
that night, and next day It was too
late"
Too late The words echoed through
wlnton's brain. 1t had been too late
from the beginning: fo II he could
have understood what Ned had tried
20 convey 10 him in the hospital he
could have kept control of the Big
Malopo
The double handful Of stones would
have brought him more than Davis had
paid him; enough to have made the
loan unnecessary. Now he was in the
grasp Of the syndicate, purser only
through Dnvis's tolerance and that
was doubtless extended for the present
with some Interior object in view.
Winton stared at the dull baubles. II
only he could lay his hands upon Sea
ton the claim might still be his, But
how could he support a charge of
fraud on the single evidence of Ned
Burns, given In Hottentot7
Suddenly Winton started back. star
ing through the shadows as II he had
seen q ghost.
An old man was coming unsteadlly
through the gateway. II was Seaton
himself lie CROPPED his way across the
compound. bleary Of eye, unsteady of
gait. went up to Winton, and laid 8
trembling hand upon his arm.
1--WE come back" ne mumbled
drunkenly My gals gone, and I've
done with this life OF a dog. I'll be
De Wits tool no longer. I've come
back 10 take my medicine"