ow now," said Abdul, "for
permitting us to escape so easily. Those in the street say that we did
not come that way--that we are still within the building, and that
those above, being too cowardly to attack us, are attempting to deceive
them into believing that we have escaped. In a moment they will have
fighting of their own to attend to if they continue their brawling."

Presently those in the building gave up the search, and returned to the
cafe. A few remained in the street below, smoking and talking.

Tarzan spoke to the girl, thanking her for the sacrifice she had made
for him, a total stranger.

"I liked you," she said simply. "You were unlike the others who come
to the cafe. You did not speak coarsely to me--the manner in which you
gave me money was not an insult."

"What shall you do after tonight?" he asked. "You cannot return to the
cafe. Can you even remain with safety in Sidi Aissa?"

"Tomorrow it will be forgotten," she replied. "But I should be glad if
it might be that I need never return to this or another cafe. I have
not remained because I wished to; I have been a prisoner."

"A prisoner!" ejaculated Tarzan incredulously.

"A slave would be the better word," she answered. "I was stolen in the
night from my father's DOUAR by a band of marauders. They brought me
here and sold me to the Arab who keeps this cafe. It has been nearly
two years now since I saw the last of mine own people. They are very
far to the south. They never come to Sidi Aissa."

"You would like to return to your people?" asked Tarzan. "Then I shall
promise to see you safely so far as Bou Saada at least. There we can
doubtless arrange with the commandant to send you the rest of the way."

"Oh, m'sieur," she cried, "how can I ever repay you! You cannot really
mean that you will do so much for a poor Ouled-Nail. But my father can
reward you, and he will, for is he not a great sheik? He is Kadour ben
Saden."

"Kadour ben Saden!" ejaculated Tarzan. "Why, Kadour ben Saden is in
Sidi Aissa this very night. He dined with me but a few hours since."

"My father in Sidi Aissa?" cried the amazed girl. "Allah be praised
then, for I am indeed saved."

"Hssh!" cautioned Abdul. "Listen."

From below came the sound of voices, quite distinguishable upon the
still night air. Tarzan could not understand the words, but Abdul and
the girl translated.

"They have gone now," said the latter. "It is you they want, m'sieu