The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-06-13
Diamonds Of Malopo
BY VICTOR ROUSSEAU
Copyright BY W. C. Chapman
CHAPTER xi-Continued.

is
Winton, feeling decidedly subordl-
nate. suffered Ned to give his direc-
lions TO his boys. Within a few
minutes the natives, lined up in groups.
were submitting to the most rigorous
inspection devised. Mouths were prfed
open and tongues pulled up, clothing
ripped open, heels broken off patent
leather dancing shoes. It was a weird
scene In the light of the full African
moon, and one that impressed itself
on WiDton's mind indelibly.
He began 10 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.
Med, you've got your speech backr
he shouted. 'Do you know that?
Speak, man !"
Ned opened his mouth, and from his
throat issued succession of cultural
clicks. 1t was Winton
knew that, but no more
Speak English, manl7 he shouted.
But Ned only looked at Winton
nOurnfully. The blow upon the skull
had shattered all but that corner of
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-
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
to De Witt through Van Worst. Hell
taxed him with it, 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 1t was too
late"
Too late The words echoed through
Winton's brain. 1t had been too late
from the beginning; for if he could
have understood what Ned had tried
to convey to him in the hospital he
could have kept control of the Big
Malopo.
The double handful of stones wouid
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 Daviss 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 charge of
fraud on the single evidence of Ned
Burns. given in Hottentot?
Suddenly Winton started back, star
ing through the shadows as if he had
seen a ghost.
An old man was coming unsteadily
through the gateway. 1t was Seaton
himself He CROPPED his way across the
bleary of eye, unsteady of
gait, went up to Winton, and laid
hand upon his arm.
1--WE come back" he mumbled {
irunkenly. MY gals gone, and I've
lone with this life of a dog. I'll be '
De Wits tool no longer. I've come {
Jack to take my medicine"