d
surprise as he viewed the tattered apparel of the Belgian.

"What has happened?" he asked.

Werper narrated all, save the little matter of the pouch of gems which
were now tightly strapped about his waist, beneath his clothing. The
Arab's eyes narrowed greedily as his henchman described the treasure
that the Waziri had buried beside the ruins of the Greystoke bungalow.

"It will be a simple matter now to return and get it," said Achmet Zek.
"First we will await the coming of the rash Waziri, and after we have
slain them we may take our time to the treasure--none will disturb it
where it lies, for we shall leave none alive who knows of its existence.

"And the woman?" asked Werper.

"I shall sell her in the north," replied the raider. "It is the only
way, now. She should bring a good price."

The Belgian nodded. He was thinking rapidly. If he could persuade
Achmet Zek to send him in command of the party which took Lady
Greystoke north it would give him the opportunity he craved to make his
escape from his chief. He would forego a share of the gold, if he
could but get away unscathed with the jewels.

He knew Achmet Zek well enough by this time to know that no member of
his band ever was voluntarily released from the service of Achmet Zek.
Most of the few who deserted were recaptured. More than once had
Werper listened to their agonized screams as they were tortured before
being put to death. The Belgian had no wish to take the slightest
chance of recapture.

"Who will go north with the woman," he asked, "while we are returning
for the gold that the Waziri buried by the bungalow of the Englishman?"

Achmet Zek thought for a moment. The buried gold was of much greater
value than the price the woman would bring. It was necessary to rid
himself of her as quickly as possible and it was also well to obtain
the gold with the least possible delay. Of all his followers, the
Belgian was the most logical lieutenant to intrust with the command of
one of the parties. An Arab, as familiar with the trails and tribes as
Achmet Zek himself, might collect the woman's price and make good his
escape into the far north. Werper, on the other hand, could scarce
make his escape alone through a country hostile to Europeans while the
men he would send with the Belgian could be carefully selected with a
view to preventing Werper from persuading any considerable portion of
his command to accompany him should he contemplate