n the immediate vicinity.

What, then, was he doing here? How had he come? Had he any intimation
that there was treasure to be found? It was altogether likely that
whoever this man was he had not come to this desolate spot without
companions and without a very definite purpose.

Where were they, then? And how did it happen we had not seen them? The
very secrecy of their presence seemed to suggest a sinister purpose.

Should I go on and follow the tracks. Or should I go back and notify
Blythe at once? The latter no doubt would be the wiser course, but my
impulse was to push forward and discover something more definite. As
luck would have it, the decision was taken out of my hands.

Out of the jungle a man came straight toward me. The very sight of that
strong, erect figure moving swiftly with easy stride tied, as it were, a
stone to my heart. The man was Boris Bothwell. I was sure of it long
before his face was distinguishable.

He waved a hand at me with debonair insouciance.

I waited for him without moving, my fingers on the butt of the revolver
at my side.

"So happy to meet you again, dear friend," he jeered as soon as he was
within hail.

"What are you doing here? How did you get out?" I demanded.

"My simple-minded youth, money goes a long way among the natives. I
bought my way out, since you are curious to know."

"And you've followed us down here to make more trouble?"

"To renew our little private war. How did you guess it?"

"So you haven't had enough yet. You have come back to take another
licking."

"It's a long lane that has no turning," he assured me gaily. "I give you
my word that I've reached the bend, Mr. Sedgwick."

His confident audacity got on my nerves. On the surface we had all the
best of the game. The trouble was that he knew the cards I held, whereas
I could only guess at his.

"You are the most unmitigated villain not yet hanged!" I cried in rage.

He bowed, rakish and smiling, with all the airs of a dancing master.

"I fear you flatter me, sir."

"I warn you to keep your hands off. We're ready for you."

"I thought it only fair to warn _you_. That is why I am here and have
the pleasure of talking with you."

"More lies. You showed yourself only because you knew I had seen your
footprints."

He gave up the point with an easy laugh.

"But really I did want to talk with you. We have many interests in
common. Our taste in women, for instance. By the way, did you leave Ev