The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-01-30

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had you given us the opportunity.
Very respectfully,
VIM. CECIL CLAYTON.
Never to returE,' muttered
D'Arnot, and threw himself face
downward on the cot
An hour later he started up, lis.
tening. Somebody was at the door
trying to enter.
D'Arnot reached for the loaded
rife and placed 1t to his shoulder.
Dusk was falling, and the inter-
Tor of the cabin was very dark; but
the man could see the latch moving
from its place.
He felt his hair rising upon his
scalp.
Gently the door opened until a
thin crack showed something stanL
ing just without.
D'Arnot sighted along the blue
barrel at the crack Of the door
and then he pulled the trigger.
CHAPTER XIV
Lost Treasure
When the expedition returned,
following their fruitless endeavor to
succor D'Arnot, Captain Dufranne
was anxious to steam away as
quickly as possible, and all save
Jane Porter had acquiesced.
No" she said, determinedly, ''I
shall not go, nor should you. for
there are two friends in that jungle
who will come out Of 1t some day
expecting to find us awaiting them.
Your officer, Captain Dufranne,
is one Of them. and the forest man
who has saved the lives Of every
member of my fathers party is the
other
He left me at the edge of the
jungle two days ago to hasten to
the aid Of my father and Mr.. Clay
ton. as he thought, and he has
stayed to rescue Lieutenant D'Arnot;
of that you may be sure.
Had he been too late to be of
service to the lieutenant he would
have been back before now-the
fact that he is not back is sufficient
proof to me that he is delayed be-
cause Lieutenant D'Arnot is wound
ed, or he has had to follow his cap
tors further than the village which
your sailors attacked"
But poor D'Arnot's uniform and
all his belongings were found in that
village, Miss Porter" argued the
captain, land the natives showed
great excitement when questioned
as to the white mans fate"
Yes, Captain, but they did not
admit that he was dead, and as for
his clothes and accoutrements being
in their possession-why more civil
lied peoples than these poor savage
negroes strip their prisoners of ev-
cry article of value whether they
intend killing them or not.
Even the soldiers Of my own
dear South looted not only the
living but the dead. 1t is strong
circumstantial evidence, 1 will ad.
NIT, but it is not positive proof
Possibly your forest man, him
SELF" was captured or killed
by the savages." suggested Cap
tain Dufranne.
The girl laughed.
you do not know him." she re-
piled, a little thrill of pride setting
her nerves a-tingle at the thought
that she spoke of her own.
II admit that he would be worth
waiting for, this super-man of
yours" laughed the captain. ST
most certainly should like to see
/ him.
Then wait for him, my dear
captain" urged the girl, 'tfor I in
tend doing so.''
The Frenchinan would have been
a very much surprised man could
he have interpreted the true mean
ing Of the girls words.
They had been walking from the
beach toward the cabin as they
talked, andw now they Joined a
little group sitting on camp stools
in the shade Of a great tree beside
the cabin.
Professor Porter was there, and
Mr.. Philander and Clayton, with
Lieutenant Charpentier and two of
his brother officers. while Esmeralda
lowered in the background, ever
and anon venturing opinions and
comments with the freedom of an
old and much INDUCED family serv-
ant
The officers arose and saluted as
their superior approached, and Clay
ton surrendered his campstool to
Jane Porter.
we were just discussing poor
PauPs fate said Captain Dufranne.
Miss Porter insists that we have no
absolute proof Of his death nor
have we. And on the other hand
she maintains that the continued alb
sence Of your omnipotent jungle
friend indicates that D'Arnot is still
in need OF his services, either be-
cause he is wounded. or still is a
prisoner in a more distant native
village
1T has been suggested" ventured
Lieutenant Charpentier. that the
wild man may have been mem
Der Of the tribe of blacks who at
tackled our party-that he was
Fastening to aid them-his own
people"
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