ong time the ape-man sat watching his companion. At last,
convinced that he slept, Tarzan withdrew his hunting knife and
commenced to dig a hole in the ground before him. With the blade he
loosened up the earth, and with his hands he scooped it out until he
had excavated a little cavity a few inches in diameter, and five or six
inches in depth. Into this he placed the pouch of jewels. Werper
almost forgot to breathe after the fashion of a sleeper as he saw what
the ape-man was doing--he scarce repressed an ejaculation of
satisfaction.

Tarzan become suddenly rigid as his keen ears noted the cessation of
the regular inspirations and expirations of his companion. His
narrowed eyes bored straight down upon the Belgian. Werper felt that
he was lost--he must risk all on his ability to carry on the deception.
He sighed, threw both arms outward, and turned over on his back
mumbling as though in the throes of a bad dream. A moment later he
resumed the regular breathing.

Now he could not watch Tarzan, but he was sure that the man sat for a
long time looking at him. Then, faintly, Werper heard the other's
hands scraping dirt, and later patting it down. He knew then that the
jewels were buried.

It was an hour before Werper moved again, then he rolled over facing
Tarzan and opened his eyes. The ape-man slept. By reaching out his
hand Werper could touch the spot where the pouch was buried.

For a long time he lay watching and listening. He moved about, making
more noise than necessary, yet Tarzan did not awaken. He drew the
sacrificial knife from his belt, and plunged it into the ground.
Tarzan did not move. Cautiously the Belgian pushed the blade downward
through the loose earth above the pouch. He felt the point touch the
soft, tough fabric of the leather. Then he pried down upon the handle.
Slowly the little mound of loose earth rose and parted. An instant
later a corner of the pouch came into view. Werper pulled it from its
hiding place, and tucked it in his shirt. Then he refilled the hole
and pressed the dirt carefully down as it had been before.

Greed had prompted him to an act, the discovery of which by his
companion could lead only to the most frightful consequences for
Werper. Already he could almost feel those strong, white fangs burying
themselves in his neck. He shuddered. Far out across the plain a
leopard screamed, and in the dense reeds behind him some great beast
moved on padded feet.