spooning. I couldn't hear what they said, but presently Baynes
brings two ponies and they ride off. I didn't like to interfere for it
wasn't any of my business, but I knew they hadn't ought to be ridin'
about that time of night, leastways not the girl--it wasn't right and
it wasn't safe. So I follows them and it's just as well I did. Baynes
was gettin' away from the lion as fast as he could, leavin' the girl to
take care of herself, when I got a lucky shot into the beast's shoulder
that fixed him."

Hanson paused. Both men were silent for a time. Presently the trader
coughed in an embarrassed manner as though there was something on his
mind he felt in duty bound to say, but hated to.

"What is it, Hanson?" asked Bwana. "You were about to say something
weren't you?"

"Well, you see it's like this," ventured Hanson. "Bein' around here
evenings a good deal I've seen them two together a lot, and, beggin'
your pardon, sir, but I don't think Mr. Baynes means the girl any good.
I've overheard enough to make me think he's tryin' to get her to run
off with him." Hanson, to fit his own ends, hit nearer the truth than
he knew. He was afraid that Baynes would interfere with his own plans,
and he had hit upon a scheme to both utilize the young Englishman and
get rid of him at the same time.

"And I thought," continued the trader, "that inasmuch as I'm about due
to move you might like to suggest to Mr. Baynes that he go with me.
I'd be willin' to take him north to the caravan trails as a favor to
you, sir."

Bwana stood in deep thought for a moment. Presently he looked up.

"Of course, Hanson, Mr. Baynes is my guest," he said, a grim twinkle in
his eye. "Really I cannot accuse him of planning to run away with
Meriem on the evidence that we have, and as he is my guest I should
hate to be so discourteous as to ask him to leave; but, if I recall his
words correctly, it seems to me that he has spoken of returning home,
and I am sure that nothing would delight him more than going north with
you--you say you start tomorrow? I think Mr. Baynes will accompany
you. Drop over in the morning, if you please, and now good night, and
thank you for keeping a watchful eye on Meriem."

Hanson hid a grin as he turned and sought his saddle. Bwana stepped
from the verandah to his study, where he found the Hon. Morison pacing
back and forth, evidently very ill at ease.

"Baynes," said Bwana, coming directly to the point, "Hanson i