at are even more strictly observed by the wild
nomads of the desert than by their more civilized brothers and sisters.
And in a little while she would be married to one of these swarthy
warriors, and there would be an end to their friendship. So he decided
against the sheik's proposal, though he remained a week as his guest.

When he left, Kadour ben Saden and fifty white-robed warriors rode with
him to Bou Saada. While they were mounting in the DOUAR of Kadour ben
Saden the morning of their departure, the girl came to bid farewell to
Tarzan.

"I have prayed that you would remain with us," she said simply, as he
leaned from his saddle to clasp her hand in farewell, "and now I shall
pray that you will return." There was an expression of wistfulness in
her beautiful eyes, and a pathetic droop at the corners of her mouth.
Tarzan was touched.

"Who knows?" and then he turned and rode after the departing Arabs.

Outside Bou Saada he bade Kadour ben Saden and his men good-by, for
there were reasons which made him wish to make his entry into the town
as secret as possible, and when he had explained them to the sheik the
latter concurred in his decision. The Arabs were to enter Bou Saada
ahead of him, saying nothing as to his presence with them. Later
Tarzan would come in alone, and go directly to an obscure native inn.

Thus, making his entrance after dark, as he did, he was not seen by any
one who knew him, and reached the inn unobserved. After dining with
Kadour ben Saden as his guest, he went to his former hotel by a
roundabout way, and, coming in by a rear entrance, sought the
proprietor, who seemed much surprised to see him alive.

Yes, there was mail for monsieur; he would fetch it. No, he would
mention monsieur's return to no one. Presently he returned with a
packet of letters. One was an order from his superior to lay off on
his present work, and hasten to Cape Town by the first steamer he could
get. His further instructions would be awaiting him there in the hands
of another agent whose name and address were given. That was
all--brief but explicit. Tarzan arranged to leave Bou Saada early the
next morning. Then he started for the garrison to see Captain Gerard,
whom the hotel man had told him had returned with his detachment the
previous day.

He found the officer in his quarters. He was filled with surprise and
pleasure at seeing Tarzan alive and well.

"When Lieutenant Gernois returned and repo