The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1924-04-10
Diamonds Of Malopo
By C ROUSSEAU
Copyright by W. G. Chapman
CHAPTER Xl-Continued.

Winton, feeling decidedly subordi-
nate, suffered Ned to give his dlrec-
lions to his boys. Within q few
minutes the natives, lined up in groups,
were submitting to the most rigorous
inspection devised. Mouths were prled
open and tongues pulled up, clothing
ripped open, heels broken off patent
leather dancing shoes. 1t was a weird
scene in the light of the full African
moon, and one that impressed Itself
on WiDton's mind indelibly.
He began to understand Van Beers
viewpoint better, and he realized as
never before the volcano of savagery
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 were large
diamonds.
He stared at them, and then at Ned;
and suddenly he shook the old man by
the shoulders.
"Ned, you've got your speech backP
he shouted. "Do you know that2
Speak, mani"
Ned opened his mouth, and from his
throat issued a succession of cultural
clicks. 1t was Hottentot-Winton
knew that, but no more.
"Speak English, mani" he shouted.
But Ned only looked at Wintoa
m%ournfully. The blow upon the skull
had shattered all but that corner CT
Broca's %convolution in which the Hot-
tentot speech-center had been created.
Hottentot Ned could speak; but that
would be his sole tongue for the re-
mainder of his years.
He began talking rapidly to Jo-
who listened and translated.
"He says, Mr.. Garrett" announced
the compound manager, that he
you at the hospital, and
thought you understood. He says that
he had suspected Seaton Of buying
from the boys and selling them
10 De Witt through Van Worst. He
.axed him with it, and Seaton broke
and confessed. That was on the
light of the robbery. Mr.. Burns meant
tell you at once, but you had gone
bed early. Seaton must have got
word to Van Worst to finish the job
hat night, and next day it was too
Too lateI The words echoed through
Vinten's brain. 1t had been too late
rom the beginning; for if he could
understood what Ned had tried
o convey to him in the hospital he !
'ould have kept control of the Big
1alopo.
The double handful of stones would
ave brought him more than Davis had
aid him enough to have made the
unnecessary. Now he was in the
Of the syndicate, purser only
Davis's tolerance and that
ras doubtless extended for the present
18th some Interior object in view.
Winton stared at the dull baubles. If
My he coula ay his hands upon Sea-
IN the clair, might still be his. But
could he support a charge of
aud on the single evidence of Ned
given in HottentOt2
Suddenly Winton started back, star
through the shadows as if he had
zen a ghost.
An old man was coming unsteadily
the gateway. It was Seaton
imself. He CROPPED his way across the
,mpound, bleary of eye, unsteady of
ait, went up to Winton, and laid a
embling hand upon his arm.
'I've come back" he mumbled
'unkenly. "My gals gone, and I've
with this life of a dog. I'll be
e Wits tool no longer. I've come {
lck to take my medicine"