lone survives of all men who buried it. He promised to lead the
professor to the place on condition that the Germans shall release his
brother, and his brother's wife, and two sons whom they keep in prison
on a life-sentence. The professor agreed, but said, 'Wait! There are
first those people who also think they know the secret. Perhaps they
do! Wait until after I have dealt with them. Then you shall take me
to the place! After that your criminal relations shall be pardoned!
Here is money. Go and wait for me at the place we spoke of when we
talked before.'"

We each cross-examined him in turn, but could not make him change his
story in any essential. He merely exaggerated the parts that he
guessed might please us, and begged to be allowed to run before
Schillingschen could break loose and get after him.

By noontime, when we gave him his second meal, Schillingschen had made
up his own mind that his case was desperate and called for heroic
remedy.

"All right," he growled. "I need that diary. Hand it to me and I'll
tell you how to find what you're after!"

"You mean about the man who's to meet you?" suggested Fred blandly.

Schillingschen started as if shot.

"One of your men is an eavesdropper," Fred assured him with a cheerful
nod. "That plug has been pulled already, Professor!"

"Let's play the cards face up!" Will interrupted impatiently. "Listen,
Schillingschen. You're an all-in scoundrel. You're a spy. You're a
bloody murderer of women and defenseless natives. If we could prove
that we wouldn't argue with you. We know you burned that dhow with the
women in it, but we've got no evidence, that's all. We know the German
government wants that ivory, and we know why. We also want it. Our
only reason for secrecy is that we hope for better terms from the
British government. We've nothing to fear, except possible financial
loss. If you prefer to come with us to Kisumu and have the whole
matter out in court, all you need do is just say so. On the other
hand, if you want to get out of this country before your diary can
reach the hands of the British High Commissioner--you'd just better
slide, that's all!"

"You've only until dawn to think it over," remarked Fred. "You poor
boob!" continued Will. "You imagine we're criminals because you're one
yourself! The difference between your offer and ours is that you're
bluffing and we know it, whereas we're not bluffing by as much as a
hair, and th