I stroll down to the club and deny it?
For the same reason that you don't openly denounce her! It's semi- or
wholly-sentimental chivalry--rank stupidity, if you like to call it
that, but it's national, I'm glad to say, and I'm as proud of it as any
one."

"Doesn't it look to you," said Fred, "that if she and the German
government are so infernally anxious to spoil our chances--and they
suspect what we're after, you know--doesn't it look to you as if there
may really be something in this quest of ours?"

"Undoubtedly," said Courtney. "There's ivory in it, tons and tons and
tons of ivory. Somebody will find it some day."

"Join us then!" said Fred. "Cancel your trip to Somaliland and come
with us! I can speak for Monty. I know he'll welcome you into the
partnership!"

"I believe I could almost speak for Monty, too," laughed Courtney. "He
and I were at Eton together, and we've never ceased being friends. But
I can't come with you. No. I'm making a sort of semi-official trip.
I shall hunt, of course, but there are observations to be made. The
pan-Islamic theory is said to be making headway also in Somaliland."

"Do you feel you have any lien on the Elgon Caves and Bahr el Gazal
clues?" Fred asked.

"No. I make you a present of those ideas. I'm sure I hope you find
the stuff. I'm wondering, though--I'm wondering."

"I'll bet you a dollar I'm thinking of the same thing," said Will.

"Out with it, then."

"What's to prevent the Germans from making their own dicker with the
King of the Belgians or with the Congo government, and rifling the
hoard on a fifty-fifty or some such basis?"

"Correct," said Courtney. "I confess myself puzzled about that. But I
know no European politics. There may be a thousand reasons. And then,
you know, the King of the Belgians has the name of being a grasping
dealer. The management of his private zone on the Congo is
unspeakable. It's possible the Germans may prefer not to risk putting
His Majesty on the scent."

"Well, we've our work cut out," said Fred, laughing and yawning. "That
woman has started us off with a bad name."

"That is one thing I can really do for you," Courtney answered. "I've
no official standing, but the boys all listen to me. I'll tell them--"

"For the love of God don't tell them too much!" Fred exclaimed.

"I'll tell them you're friends of mine," he went on. "I believe that
will solve the sporting license and ammunition problem. As for