e more upon his feet. Neither
had ever mentioned the duel or the cause of it since that morning upon
the field of honor.

"I think that I have found just the thing for you, Monsieur Tarzan,"
said the count. "It is a position of much trust and responsibility,
which also requires considerably physical courage and prowess. I
cannot imagine a man better fitted than you, my dear Monsieur Tarzan,
for this very position. It will necessitate travel, and later it may
lead to a very much better post--possibly in the diplomatic service.

"At first, for a short time only, you will be a special agent in the
service of the ministry of war. Come, I will take you to the gentleman
who will be your chief. He can explain the duties better than I, and
then you will be in a position to judge if you wish to accept or no."

De Coude himself escorted Tarzan to the office of General Rochere, the
chief of the bureau to which Tarzan would be attached if he accepted
the position. There the count left him, after a glowing description to
the general of the many attributes possessed by the ape-man which
should fit him for the work of the service.

A half hour later Tarzan walked out of the office the possessor of the
first position he had ever held. On the morrow he was to return for
further instructions, though General Rochere had made it quite plain
that Tarzan might prepare to leave Paris for an almost indefinite
period, possibly on the morrow.

It was with feelings of the keenest elation that he hastened home to
bear the good news to D'Arnot. At last he was to be of some value in
the world. He was to earn money, and, best of all, to travel and see
the world.

He could scarcely wait to get well inside D'Arnot's sitting room before
he burst out with the glad tidings. D'Arnot was not so pleased.

"It seems to delight you to think that you are to leave Paris, and that
we shall not see each other for months, perhaps. Tarzan, you are a
most ungrateful beast!" and D'Arnot laughed.

"No, Paul; I am a little child. I have a new toy, and I am tickled to
death."

And so it came that on the following day Tarzan left Paris en route for
Marseilles and Oran.

Chapter 7

The Dancing Girl of Sidi Aissa

Tarzan's first mission did not bid fair to be either exciting or vastly
important. There was a certain lieutenant of SPAHIS whom the
government had reason to suspect of improper relations with a great
European power. This Lie