s fellow and
dared not admit that he had permitted him to enter the hut, fearing as
he did, the anger of Achmet Zek. So, as chance directed that he should
be the one to discover the body of the sentry when the first alarm had
been given following Achmet Zek's discovery that Werper had outwitted
him, the crafty black had dragged the dead body to the interior of a
nearby tent, and himself resumed his station before the doorway of the
hut in which he still believed the woman to be.

With the discovery of the Arab close behind him, the Belgian hid in the
foliage of a leafy bush. Here the trail ran straight for a
considerable distance, and down the shady forest aisle, beneath the
overarching branches of the trees, rode the white-robed figure of the
pursuer.

Nearer and nearer he came. Werper crouched closer to the ground behind
the leaves of his hiding place. Across the trail a vine moved.
Werper's eyes instantly centered upon the spot. There was no wind to
stir the foliage in the depths of the jungle. Again the vine moved.
In the mind of the Belgian only the presence of a sinister and
malevolent force could account for the phenomenon.

The man's eyes bored steadily into the screen of leaves upon the
opposite side of the trail. Gradually a form took shape beyond them--a
tawny form, grim and terrible, with yellow-green eyes glaring
fearsomely across the narrow trail straight into his.

Werper could have screamed in fright, but up the trail was coming the
messenger of another death, equally sure and no less terrible. He
remained silent, almost paralyzed by fear. The Arab approached. Across
the trail from Werper the lion crouched for the spring, when suddenly
his attention was attracted toward the horseman.

The Belgian saw the massive head turn in the direction of the raider
and his heart all but ceased its beating as he awaited the result of
this interruption. At a walk the horseman approached. Would the
nervous animal he rode take fright at the odor of the carnivore, and,
bolting, leave Werper still to the mercies of the king of beasts?

But he seemed unmindful of the near presence of the great cat. On he
came, his neck arched, champing at the bit between his teeth. The
Belgian turned his eyes again toward the lion. The beast's whole
attention now seemed riveted upon the horseman. They were abreast the
lion now, and still the brute did not spring. Could he be but waiting
for them to pass before returnin