e, Selim," he said firmly, "you and I know each other pretty
well, and I don't see any use in beating about the bush. Did you come
after Mowbray, and nothing else?"

The Arab's face changed, his lids narrowing and his cruel smile thinning
down. He met the gaze of the American squarely.

"Do you know of anything else I might have come after?"

"It might have been ivory and gold-dust, for one thing," with which the
explorer relieved the tense situation by proffering a cigar. Von Hofe
smiled to himself as Selim took it with no indication that the words had
startled him.

"Yes," he admitted, "it might." He lit the cigar calmly. At the same
moment Guru came into sight, evidently having received some
instructions beforehand that Charlie had missed. He advanced toward the
party and saluted.

"Well?" said Schoverling.

"Report, sahib. Two of the Arabs have gone up north by the shore."

"You'd better call over to your men, Selim," chuckled the American.
"They're liable to meet a buffalo or python in there." The Arab shrugged
his shoulders unconcernedly. "Very well, Guru. Keep the men just as they
are. Send out twenty of the Masai to spread along the shore to the
north. Your men are arranged?"

"Yes, sahib," said the quick-witted Sikh impassively. "Ten near the ford
under Amir, and my ten somewhat to the south."

"You may go." Guru saluted and wheeled. Charlie, watching Selim's
clear-cut face during this amazing dialogue, saw it change expression
slightly.

"You have quite a force, Schoverling," remarked the Arab calmly. "Then,
I suppose that you have found the gold-dust and the ivory?"

"Under that canvas," and the explorer pointed. "The game's up, Selim ben
Amoud. We got here first, that's all. If your men had not deserted
Mowbray he would have cleaned up the stuff. As it is, we have it."

"Yes, you have it," repeated Selim slowly. "But, my friend, you shall
not have it long."

"Oh, we have men enough to defend it," retorted the American carelessly.
Charlie drew a quick breath. "You have only a dozen over there, and
could not cross the strait under our fire."

"If it comes to that," and Selim's teeth glinted, "you cannot cross
under _our_ fire, my friend. I learned of the cache and of this lake,
and equipped the first expedition. By right, that treasure is mine."

"But I found it," returned the explorer brutally. "And by might it is
mine."

For a moment tense silence fell upon the group. The boys watched the