ey could get started. After the sale was
consummated he did not hesitate to explain his reasons for this demand.
He told them of the strenuous attempt of the girl's savage mate to
rescue her, and suggested that the sooner they got her out of the
country the more likely they were to retain possession of her.

Meriem was again bound and placed under guard, but this time in the
tent of the Swedes. Malbihn talked to her, trying to persuade her to
accompany them willingly. He told her that they would return her to
her own village; but when he discovered that she would rather die than
go back to the old sheik, he assured her that they would not take her
there, nor, as a matter of fact, had they had an intention of so doing.
As he talked with the girl the Swede feasted his eyes upon the
beautiful lines of her face and figure. She had grown tall and
straight and slender toward maturity since he had seen her in The
Sheik's village on that long gone day. For years she had represented
to him a certain fabulous reward. In his thoughts she had been but the
personification of the pleasures and luxuries that many francs would
purchase. Now as she stood before him pulsing with life and loveliness
she suggested other seductive and alluring possibilities. He came
closer to her and laid his hand upon her. The girl shrank from him.
He seized her and she struck him heavily in the mouth as he sought to
kiss her. Then Jenssen entered the tent.

"Malbihn!" he almost shouted. "You fool!"

Sven Malbihn released his hold upon the girl and turned toward his
companion. His face was red with mortification.

"What the devil are you trying to do?" growled Jenssen. "Would you
throw away every chance for the reward? If we maltreat her we not only
couldn't collect a sou, but they'd send us to prison for our pains. I
thought you had more sense, Malbihn."

"I'm not a wooden man," growled Malbihn.

"You'd better be," rejoined Jenssen, "at least until we have delivered
her over in safety and collected what will be coming to us."

"Oh, hell," cried Malbihn. "What's the use? They'll be glad enough to
have her back, and by the time we get there with her she'll be only too
glad to keep her mouth shut. Why not?"

"Because I say not," growled Jenssen. "I've always let you boss
things, Sven; but here's a case where what I say has got to go--because
I'm right and you're wrong, and we both know it."

"You're getting damned virtuous all of