Contents
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1BelgianandArab2OntheRoadtoOpar3TheCalloftheJungle4ProphecyandFulfillment5TheAltaroftheFlamingGod6TheArabRaid7TheJewel—RoomofOpar8TheEscapefromOpar9TheTheftoftheJewels10AchmetZekSeestheJewels11TarzanBecomesaBeastAgain12LaSeeksVengeance13CondemnedtoTortureandDeath14APriestessButYetaWoman15TheFlightofWerper16TarzanAgainLeadstheMangani17TheDeadlyPerilofJaneClayton18TheFightFortheTreasure19JaneClaytonandTheBeastsoftheJungle20JaneClaytonAgainaPrisoner21TheFlighttotheJungle22TarzanRecoversHisReason23ANightofTerror24HomeTarzanandtheJewelsofOparbyEdgarRiceBurroughs1
BelgianandArabLieutenantAlbertWerperhadonlytheprestigeofthenamehehaddishonoredtothankforhisnarrowescapefrombeingcashiered。Atfirsthehadbeenhumblythankful，too，thattheyhadsenthimtothisGodforsakenCongopostinsteadofcourt—martialinghim，ashehadsojustlydeserved；
butnowsixmonthsofthemonotony，thefrightfulisolationandthelonelinesshadwroughtachange。Theyoungmanbroodedcontinuallyoverhisfate。Hisdayswerefilledwithmorbidself—pity，whicheventuallyengenderedinhisweakandvacillatingmindahatredforthosewhohadsenthimhere——
fortheverymenhehadatfirstinwardlythankedforsavinghimfromtheignominyofdegradation。
HeregrettedthegaylifeofBrusselsasheneverhadregrettedthesinswhichhadsnatchedhimfromthatgayestofcapitals，andasthedayspassedhecametocenterhisresentmentupontherepresentativeinCongolandoftheauthoritywhichhadexiledhim——hiscaptainandimmediatesuperior。
Thisofficerwasacold，taciturnman，inspiringlittleloveinthosedirectlybeneathhim，yetrespectedandfearedbytheblacksoldiersofhislittlecommand。
Werperwasaccustomedtositforhoursglaringathissuperiorasthetwosatupontheverandaoftheircommonquarters，smokingtheireveningcigaretsinasilencewhichneitherseemeddesirousofbreaking。
Thesenselesshatredofthelieutenantgrewatlastintoaformofmania。Thecaptain’snaturaltaciturnityhedistortedintoastudiedattempttoinsulthimbecauseofhispastshortcomings。Heimaginedthathissuperiorheldhimincontempt，andsohechafedandfumedinwardlyuntiloneeveninghismadnessbecamesuddenlyhomicidal。Hefingeredthebuttoftherevolverathiship，hiseyesnarrowedandhisbrowscontracted。Atlasthespoke。
\"Youhaveinsultedmeforthelasttime！\"hecried，springingtohisfeet。\"Iamanofficerandagentleman，andIshallputupwithitnolongerwithoutanaccountingfromyou，youpig。\"
Thecaptain，anexpressionofsurpriseuponhisfeatures，turnedtowardhisjunior。Hehadseenmenbeforewiththejunglemadnessuponthem——themadnessofsolitudeandunrestrainedbrooding，andperhapsatouchoffever。
Heroseandextendedhishandtolayitupontheother’sshoulder。Quietwordsofcounselwereuponhislips；buttheywereneverspoken。Werperconstruedhissuperior’sactionintoanattempttoclosewithhim。
Hisrevolverwasonalevelwiththecaptain’sheart，andthelatterhadtakenbutastepwhenWerperpulledthetrigger。Withoutamoanthemansanktotheroughplankingoftheveranda，andashefellthemiststhathadcloudedWerper’sbrainlifted，sothathesawhimselfandthedeedthathehaddoneinthesamelightthatthosewhomustjudgehimwouldseethem。
Heheardexcitedexclamationsfromthequartersofthesoldiersandheheardmenrunninginhisdirection。
Theywouldseizehim，andiftheydidn’tkillhimtheywouldtakehimdowntheCongotoapointwhereaproperlyorderedmilitarytribunalwoulddosojustaseffectively，thoughinamoreregularmanner。
Werperhadnodesiretodie。Neverbeforehadhesoyearnedforlifeasinthismomentthathehadsoeffectivelyforfeitedhisrighttolive。Themenwerenearinghim。Whatwashetodo？Heglancedaboutasthoughsearchingforthetangibleformofalegitimateexcuseforhiscrime；buthecouldfindonlythebodyofthemanhehadsocauselesslyshotdown。
Indespair，heturnedandfledfromtheoncomingsoldiery。Acrossthecompoundheran，hisrevolverstillclutchedtightlyinhishand。Atthegatesasentryhaltedhim。Werperdidnotpausetoparleyortoexerttheinfluenceofhiscommission——hemerelyraisedhisweaponandshotdowntheinnocentblack。A
momentlaterthefugitivehadtornopenthegatesandvanishedintotheblacknessofthejungle，butnotbeforehehadtransferredtherifleandammunitionbeltsofthedeadsentrytohisownperson。
AllthatnightWerperfledfartherandfartherintotheheartofthewilderness。Nowandagainthevoiceofalionbroughthimtoalisteninghalt；butwithcockedandreadyriflehepushedaheadagain，morefearfulofthehumanhuntsmeninhisrearthanofthewildcarnivoraahead。
Dawncameatlast，butstillthemanploddedon。
Allsenseofhungerandfatiguewerelostintheterrorsofcontemplatedcapture。Hecouldthinkonlyofescape。
Hedarednotpausetorestoreatuntiltherewasnofurtherdangerfrompursuit，andsohestaggeredonuntilatlasthefellandcouldrisenomore。Howlonghehadfledhedidnotknow，ortrytoknow。Whenhecouldfleenolongertheknowledgethathehadreachedhislimitwashiddenfromhimintheunconsciousnessofutterexhaustion。
AndthusitwasthatAchmetZek，theArab，foundhim。
Achmet’sfollowerswereforrunningaspearthroughthebodyoftheirhereditaryenemy；butAchmetwouldhaveitotherwise。FirsthewouldquestiontheBelgian。
Itwereeasiertoquestionamanfirstandkillhimafterward，thankillhimfirstandthenquestionhim。
SohehadLieutenantAlbertWerpercarriedtohisowntent，andthereslavesadministeredwineandfoodinsmallquantitiesuntilatlasttheprisonerregainedconsciousness。Asheopenedhiseyeshesawthefacesofstrangeblackmenabouthim，andjustoutsidethetentthefigureofanArab。Nowherewastheuniformofhissoldierstobeseen。
TheArabturnedandseeingtheopeneyesoftheprisoneruponhim，enteredthetent。
\"IamAchmetZek，\"heannounced。\"Whoareyou，andwhatwereyoudoinginmycountry？Whereareyoursoldiers？\"
AchmetZek！Werper’seyeswentwide，andhisheartsank。Hewasintheclutchesofthemostnotoriousofcut—throats——ahaterofallEuropeans，especiallythosewhoworetheuniformofBelgium。ForyearsthemilitaryforcesofBelgianCongohadwagedafruitlesswaruponthismanandhisfollowers——awarinwhichquarterhadneverbeenaskednorexpectedbyeitherside。
ButpresentlyintheveryhatredofthemanforBelgians，Werpersawafaintrayofhopeforhimself。
He，too，wasanoutcastandanoutlaw。Sofar，atleast，theypossessedacommoninterest，andWerperdecidedtoplayuponitforallthatitmightyield。
\"Ihaveheardofyou，\"hereplied，\"andwassearchingforyou。Mypeoplehaveturnedagainstme。Ihatethem。Evennowtheirsoldiersaresearchingforme，tokillme。Iknewthatyouwouldprotectmefromthem，foryou，too，hatethem。InreturnIwilltakeservicewithyou。Iamatrainedsoldier。Icanfight，andyourenemiesaremyenemies。\"
AchmetZekeyedtheEuropeaninsilence。Inhismindherevolvedmanythoughts，chiefamongwhichwasthattheunbelieverlied。Ofcoursetherewasthechancethathedidnotlie，andifhetoldthetruththenhispropositionwasonewellworthyofconsideration，sincefightingmenwereneveroverplentiful——especiallywhitemenwiththetrainingandknowledgeofmilitarymattersthataEuropeanofficermustpossess。
AchmetZekscowledandWerper’sheartsank；butWerperdidnotknowAchmetZek，whowasquiteapttoscowlwhereanotherwouldsmile，andsmilewhereanotherwouldscowl。
\"Andifyouhaveliedtome，\"saidAchmetZek，\"Iwillkillyouatanytime。Whatreturn，otherthanyourlife，doyouexpectforyourservices？\"
\"Mykeeponly，atfirst，\"repliedWerper。\"Later，ifI
amworthmore，wecaneasilyreachanunderstanding。\"
Werper’sonlydesireatthemomentwastopreservehislife。AndsotheagreementwasreachedandLieutenantAlbertWerperbecameamemberoftheivoryandslaveraidingbandofthenotoriousAchmetZek。
FormonthstherenegadeBelgianrodewiththesavageraider。Hefoughtwithasavageabandon，andaviciouscrueltyfullyequaltothatofhisfellowdesperadoes。
AchmetZekwatchedhisrecruitwitheagleeye，andwithagrowingsatisfactionwhichfinallyfoundexpressioninagreaterconfidenceintheman，andresultedinanincreasedindependenceofactionforWerper。
AchmetZektooktheBelgianintohisconfidencetoagreatextent，andatlastunfoldedtohimapetschemewhichtheArabhadlongfostered，butwhichheneverhadfoundanopportunitytoeffect。WiththeaidofaEuropean，however，thethingmightbeeasilyaccomplished。HesoundedWerper。
\"YouhaveheardofthemanmencallTarzan？\"heasked。
Werpernodded。\"Ihaveheardofhim；butIdonotknowhim。\"
\"Butforhimwemightcarryonour’trading’insafetyandwithgreatprofit，\"continuedtheArab。\"Foryearshehasfoughtus，drivingusfromtherichestpartofthecountry，harassingus，andarmingthenativesthattheymayrepeluswhenwecometo’trade。’Heisveryrich。Ifwecouldfindsomewaytomakehimpayusmanypiecesofgoldweshouldnotonlybeavengeduponhim；butrepaidformuchthathehaspreventedusfromwinningfromthenativesunderhisprotection。\"
Werperwithdrewacigaretfromajeweledcaseandlightedit。
\"Andyouhaveaplantomakehimpay？\"heasked。
\"Hehasawife，\"repliedAchmetZek，\"whommensayisverybeautiful。Shewouldbringagreatpricefarthernorth，ifwefoundittoodifficulttocollectransommoneyfromthisTarzan。\"
Werperbenthisheadinthought。AchmetZekstoodawaitinghisreply。WhatgoodremainedinAlbertWerperrevoltedatthethoughtofsellingawhitewomanintotheslaveryanddegradationofaMoslemharem。
HelookedupatAchmetZek。HesawtheArab’seyesnarrow，andheguessedthattheotherhadsensedhisantagonismtotheplan。WhatwoulditmeantoWerpertorefuse？Hislifelayinthehandsofthissemi—barbarian，whoesteemedthelifeofanunbelieverlesshighlythanthatofadog。Werperlovedlife。Whatwasthiswomantohim，anyway？ShewasaEuropean，doubtless，amemberoforganizedsociety。Hewasanoutcast。Thehandofeverywhitemanwasagainsthim。
Shewashisnaturalenemy，andifherefusedtolendhimselftoherundoing，AchmetZekwouldhavehimkilled。
\"Youhesitate，\"murmuredtheArab。
\"Iwasbutweighingthechancesofsuccess，\"liedWerper，\"andmyreward。AsaEuropeanIcangainadmittancetotheirhomeandtable。Youhavenootherwithyouwhocoulddosomuch。Theriskwillbegreat。
Ishouldbewellpaid，AchmetZek。\"
Asmileofreliefpassedovertheraider’sface。
\"Wellsaid，Werper，\"andAchmetZekslappedhislieutenantupontheshoulder。\"Youshouldbewellpaidandyoushall。Nowletussittogetherandplanhowbestthethingmaybedone，\"andthetwomensquatteduponasoftrugbeneaththefadedsilksofAchmet’soncegorgeoustent，andtalkedtogetherinlowvoiceswellintothenight。Bothweretallandbearded，andtheexposuretosunandwindhadgivenanalmostArabhuetotheEuropean’scomplexion。Ineverydetailofdress，too，hecopiedthefashionsofhischief，sothatoutwardlyhewasasmuchanArabastheother。
Itwaslatewhenhearoseandretiredtohisowntent。
ThefollowingdayWerperspentinoverhaulinghisBelgianuniform，removingfromiteveryvestigeofevidencethatmightindicateitsmilitarypurposes。
Fromaheterogeneouscollectionofloot，AchmetZekprocuredapithhelmetandaEuropeansaddle，andfromhisblackslavesandfollowersapartyofporters，askarisandtentboystomakeupamodestsafariforabiggamehunter。AttheheadofthispartyWerpersetoutfromcamp。
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OntheRoadToOparItwastwoweekslaterthatJohnClayton，LordGreystoke，ridinginfromatourofinspectionofhisvastAfricanestate，glimpsedtheheadofacolumnofmencrossingtheplainthatlaybetweenhisbungalowandtheforesttothenorthandwest。
Hereinedinhishorseandwatchedthelittlepartyasitemergedfromaconcealingswale。Hiskeeneyescaughtthereflectionofthesunuponthewhitehelmetofamountedman，andwiththeconvictionthatawanderingEuropeanhunterwasseekinghishospitality，hewheeledhismountandrodeslowlyforwardtomeetthenewcomer。
Ahalfhourlaterhewasmountingthestepsleadingtotheverandaofhisbungalow，andintroducingM。JulesFrecoulttoLadyGreystoke。
\"Iwascompletelylost，\"M。Frecoultwasexplaining。
\"Myheadmanhadneverbeforebeeninthispartofthecountryandtheguideswhoweretohaveaccompaniedmefromthelastvillagewepassedknewevenlessofthecountrythanwe。Theyfinallydesertedustwodayssince。Iamveryfortunateindeedtohavestumbledsoprovidentiallyuponsuccor。IdonotknowwhatI
shouldhavedone，hadInotfoundyou。\"
ItwasdecidedthatFrecoultandhispartyshouldremainseveraldays，oruntiltheywerethoroughlyrested，whenLordGreystokewouldfurnishguidestoleadthemsafelybackintocountrywithwhichFrecoult’sheadmanwassupposedlyfamiliar。
InhisguiseofaFrenchgentlemanofleisure，WerperfoundlittledifficultyindeceivinghishostandiningratiatinghimselfwithbothTarzanandJaneClayton；
butthelongerheremainedthelesshopefulhebecameofaneasyaccomplishmentofhisdesigns。
LadyGreystokeneverrodealoneatanygreatdistancefromthebungalow，andthesavageloyaltyoftheferociousWaziriwarriorswhoformedagreatpartofTarzan’sfollowersseemedtoprecludethepossibilityofasuccessfulattemptatforcibleabduction，orofthebriberyoftheWazirithemselves。
Aweekpassed，andWerperwasnonearerthefulfillmentofhisplan，insofarashecouldjudge，thanuponthedayofhisarrival，butatthatverymomentsomethingoccurredwhichgavehimrenewedhopeandsethisminduponanevengreaterrewardthanawoman’sransom。
Arunnerhadarrivedatthebungalowwiththeweeklymail，andLordGreystokehadspenttheafternooninhisstudyreadingandansweringletters。Atdinnerheseemeddistraught，andearlyintheeveningheexcusedhimselfandretired，LadyGreystokefollowinghimverysoonafter。Werper，sittingupontheveranda，couldheartheirvoicesinearnestdiscussion，andhavingrealizedthatsomethingofunusualmomentwasafoot，hequietlyrosefromhischair，andkeepingwellintheshadowoftheshrubberygrowingprofuselyaboutthebungalow，madehissilentwaytoapointbeneaththewindowoftheroominwhichhishostandhostessslept。
Herehelistened，andnotwithoutresult，foralmostthefirstwordsheoverheardfilledhimwithexcitement。LadyGreystokewasspeakingasWerpercamewithinhearing。
\"Ialwaysfearedforthestabilityofthecompany，\"shewassaying；\"butitseemsincrediblethattheyshouldhavefailedforsoenormousasum——unlesstherehasbeensomedishonestmanipulation。\"
\"ThatiswhatIsuspect，\"repliedTarzan；\"butwhateverthecause，thefactremainsthatIhavelosteverything，andthereisnothingforitbuttoreturntoOparandgetmore。\"
\"Oh，John，\"criedLadyGreystoke，andWerpercouldfeeltheshudderthroughhervoice，\"istherenootherway？
Icannotbeartothinkofyoureturningtothatfrightfulcity。IwouldratherliveinpovertyalwaysthantohaveyouriskthehideousdangersofOpar。\"
\"Youneedhavenofear，\"repliedTarzan，laughing。
\"Iamprettywellabletotakecareofmyself，andwereInot，theWaziriwhowillaccompanymewillseethatnoharmbefallsme。\"
\"TheyranawayfromOparonce，andleftyoutoyourfate，\"sheremindedhim。
\"Theywillnotdoitagain，\"heanswered。\"Theywereverymuchashamedofthemselves，andwerecomingbackwhenImetthem。\"
\"Buttheremustbesomeotherway，\"insistedthewoman。
\"Thereisnootherwayhalfsoeasytoobtainanotherfortune，astogotothetreasurevaultsofOparandbringitaway，\"hereplied。\"Ishallbeverycareful，Jane，andthechancesarethattheinhabitantsofOparwillneverknowthatIhavebeenthereagainanddespoiledthemofanotherportionofthetreasure，theveryexistenceofwhichtheyareasignorantofastheywouldbeofitsvalue。\"
ThefinalityinhistoneseemedtoassureLadyGreystokethatfurtherargumentwasfutile，andsosheabandonedthesubject。
Werperremained，listening，forashorttime，andthen，confidentthathehadoverheardallthatwasnecessaryandfearingdiscovery，returnedtotheveranda，wherehesmokednumerouscigaretsinrapidsuccessionbeforeretiring。
Thefollowingmorningatbreakfast，Werperannouncedhisintentionofmakinganearlydeparture，andaskedTarzan’spermissiontohuntbiggameintheWaziricountryonhiswayout——permissionwhichLordGreystokereadilygranted。
TheBelgianconsumedtwodaysincompletinghispreparations，butfinallygotawaywithhissafari，accompaniedbyasingleWaziriguidewhomLordGreystokehadloanedhim。ThepartymadebutasingleshortmarchwhenWerpersimulatedillness，andannouncedhisintentionofremainingwherehewasuntilhehadfullyrecovered。AstheyhadgonebutashortdistancefromtheGreystokebungalow，WerperdismissedtheWaziriguide，tellingthewarriorthathewouldsendforhimwhenhewasabletoproceed。TheWazirigone，theBelgiansummonedoneofAchmetZek’strustedblackstohistent，anddispatchedhimtowatchforthedepartureofTarzan，returningimmediatelytoadviseWerperoftheeventandthedirectiontakenbytheEnglishman。
TheBelgiandidnothavelongtowait，forthefollowingdayhisemissaryreturnedwithwordthatTarzanandapartyoffiftyWaziriwarriorshadsetouttowardthesoutheastearlyinthemorning。
Werpercalledhisheadmantohim，afterwritingalonglettertoAchmetZek。Thisletterhehandedtotheheadman。
\"SendarunneratoncetoAchmetZekwiththis，\"heinstructedtheheadman。\"Remainhereincampawaitingfurtherinstructionsfromhimorfromme。IfanycomefromthebungalowoftheEnglishman，tellthemthatI
amveryillwithinmytentandcanseenoone。Now，givemesixportersandsixaskaris——thestrongestandbravestofthesafari——andIwillmarchaftertheEnglishmananddiscoverwherehisgoldishidden。\"
AndsoitwasthatasTarzan，strippedtotheloinclothandarmedaftertheprimitivefashionhebestloved，ledhisloyalWaziritowardthedeadcityofOpar，Werper，therenegade，hauntedhistrailthroughthelong，hotdays，andcampedclosebehindhimbynight。
Andastheymarched，AchmetZekrodewithhisentirefollowingsouthwardtowardtheGreystokefarm。
ToTarzanoftheApestheexpeditionwasinthenatureofaholidayouting。HiscivilizationwasatbestbutanoutwardveneerwhichhegladlypeeledoffwithhisuncomfortableEuropeanclotheswheneveranyreasonablepretextpresenteditself。Itwasawoman’slovewhichkeptTarzaneventothesemblanceofcivilization——aconditionforwhichfamiliarityhadbredcontempt。Hehatedtheshamsandthehypocrisiesofitandwiththeclearvisionofanunspoiledmindhehadpenetratedtotherottencoreoftheheartofthething——thecowardlygreedforpeaceandeaseandthesafe—guardingofpropertyrights。Thatthefinethingsoflife——art，musicandliterature——hadthrivenuponsuchenervatingidealshestrenuouslydenied，insisting，rather，thattheyhadenduredinspiteofcivilization。
\"Showmethefat，opulentcoward，\"hewaswonttosay，\"whoeveroriginatedabeautifulideal。Intheclashofarms，inthebattleforsurvival，amidhungeranddeathanddanger，inthefaceofGodasmanifestedinthedisplayofNature’smostterrificforces，isbornallthatisfinestandbestinthehumanheartandmind。\"
AndsoTarzanalwayscamebacktoNatureinthespiritofaloverkeepingalongdeferredtrystafteraperiodbehindprisonwalls。HisWaziri，atmarrow，weremorecivilizedthanhe。TheycookedtheirmeatbeforetheyateitandtheyshunnedmanyarticlesoffoodasuncleanthatTarzanhadeatenwithgustoallhislifeandsoinsidiousisthevirusofhypocrisythateventhestalwartape—manhesitatedtogivereintohisnaturallongingsbeforethem。Heateburntfleshwhenhewouldhavepreferreditrawandunspoiled，andhebroughtdowngamewitharroworspearwhenhewouldfarratherhaveleapeduponitfromambushandsunkhisstrongteethinitsjugular；butatlastthecallofthemilkofthesavagemotherthathadsuckledhimininfancyrosetoaninsistentdemand——hecravedthehotbloodofafreshkillandhismusclesyearnedtopitthemselvesagainstthesavagejungleinthebattleforexistencethathadbeenhissolebirthrightforthefirsttwentyyearsofhislife。
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TheCalloftheJungleMovedbythesevagueyetall—powerfulurgingstheape—manlayawakeonenightinthelittlethornbomathatprotected，inaway，hispartyfromthedepredationsofthegreatcarnivoraofthejungle。Asinglewarriorstoodsleepyguardbesidethefirethatyelloweyesoutofthedarknessbeyondthecampmadeimperative。
ThemoansandthecoughingofthebigcatsmingledwiththemyriadnoisesofthelesserdenizensofthejungletofanthesavageflameinthebreastofthissavageEnglishlord。Hetosseduponhisbedofgrasses，sleepless，foranhourandthenherose，noiselessasawraith，andwhiletheWaziri’sbackwasturned，vaultedthebomawallinthefaceoftheflamingeyes，swungsilentlyintoagreattreeandwasgone。
Foratimeinsheerexuberanceofanimalspiritheracedswiftlythroughthemiddleterrace，swingingperilouslyacrosswidespansfromonejunglegianttothenext，andthenheclamberedupwardtotheswaying，lesserboughsoftheupperterracewherethemoonshonefulluponhimandtheairwasstirredbylittlebreezesanddeathlurkedreadyineachfrailbranch。HerehepausedandraisedhisfacetoGoro，themoon。
Withupliftedarmhestood，thecryofthebullapequiveringuponhislips，yetheremainedsilentlesthearousehisfaithfulWaziriwhowerealltoofamiliarwiththehideouschallengeoftheirmaster。
Andthenhewentonmoreslowlyandwithgreaterstealthandcaution，fornowTarzanoftheApeswasseekingakill。Downtothegroundhecameintheutterblacknessoftheclose—setbolesandtheoverhangingverdureofthejungle。Hestoopedfromtimetotimeandputhisnoseclosetoearth。HesoughtandfoundawidegametrailandatlasthisnostrilswererewardedwiththescentofthefreshspoorofBara，thedeer。Tarzan’smouthwateredandalowgrowlescapedhispatricianlips。Sloughedfromhimwasthelastvestigeofartificialcaste——onceagainhewastheprimevalhunter——thefirstman——thehighestcastetypeofthehumanrace。Upwindhefollowedtheelusivespoorwithasenseofperceptionsotranscendingthatofordinarymanastobeinconceivabletous。ThroughcountercurrentsoftheheavystenchofmeateatershetracedthetrailofBara；thesweetandcloyingstinkofHorta，theboar，couldnotdrownhisquarry’sscent——
thepermeating，mellowmuskofthedeer’sfoot。
PresentlythebodyscentofthedeertoldTarzanthathispreywascloseathand。Itsenthimintothetreesagain——intothelowerterracewherehecouldwatchthegroundbelowandcatchwithearsandnosethefirstintimationofactualcontactwithhisquarry。Norwasitlongbeforetheape—mancameuponBarastandingalertattheedgeofamoon—bathedclearing。
NoiselesslyTarzancreptthroughthetreesuntilhewasdirectlyoverthedeer。Intheape—man’srighthandwasthelonghuntingknifeofhisfatherandinhisheartthebloodlustofthecarnivore。JustforaninstanthepoisedabovetheunsuspectingBaraandthenhelaunchedhimselfdownwarduponthesleekback。Theimpactofhisweightcarriedthedeertoitskneesandbeforetheanimalcouldregainitsfeettheknifehadfounditsheart。AsTarzanroseuponthebodyofhiskilltoscreamforthhishideousvictorycryintothefaceofthemoonthewindcarriedtohisnostrilssomethingwhichfrozehimtostatuesqueimmobilityandsilence。HissavageeyesblazedintothedirectionfromwhichthewindhadbornedownthewarningtohimandamomentlaterthegrassesatonesideoftheclearingpartedandNuma，thelion，strodemajesticallyintoview。Hisyellow—greeneyeswerefasteneduponTarzanashehaltedjustwithintheclearingandglaredenviouslyatthesuccessfulhunter，forNumahadhadnoluckthisnight。
Fromthelipsoftheape—manbrokearumblinggrowlofwarning。Numaansweredbuthedidnotadvance。
Insteadhestoodwavinghistailgentlytoandfro，andpresentlyTarzansquatteduponhiskillandcutagenerousportionfromahindquarter。Numaeyedhimwithgrowingresentmentandrageas，betweenmouthfuls，theape—mangrowledouthissavagewarnings。NowthisparticularlionhadneverbeforecomeincontactwithTarzanoftheApesandhewasmuchmystified。Herewastheappearanceandthescentofaman—thingandNumahadtastedofhumanfleshandlearnedthatthoughnotthemostpalatableitwascertainlybyfartheeasiesttosecure，yettherewasthatinthebestialgrowlsofthestrangecreaturewhichremindedhimofformidableantagonistsandgavehimpause，whilehishungerandtheodorofthehotfleshofBaragoadedhimalmosttomadness。AlwaysTarzanwatchedhim，guessingwhatwaspassinginthelittlebrainofthecarnivoreandwellitwasthathedidwatchhim，foratlastNumacouldstanditnolonger。Histailshotsuddenlyerectandatthesameinstantthewaryape—man，knowingalltoowellwhatthesignalportended，graspedtheremainderofthedeer’shindquarterbetweenhisteethandleapedintoanearbytreeasNumachargedhimwithallthespeedandasufficientsemblanceoftheweightofanexpresstrain。
Tarzan’sretreatwasnoindicationthathefeltfear。
Junglelifeisorderedalongdifferentlinesthanoursanddifferentstandardsprevail。HadTarzanbeenfamishedhewould，doubtless，havestoodhisgroundandmetthelion’scharge。Hehaddonethethingbeforeuponmorethanoneoccasion，justasinthepasthehadchargedlionshimself；buttonighthewasfarfromfamishedandinthehindquarterhehadcarriedoffwithhimwasmorerawfleshthanhecouldeat；yetitwaswithnoequanimitythathelookeddownuponNumarendingthefleshofTarzan’skill。ThepresumptionofthisstrangeNumamustbepunished！AndforthwithTarzansetouttomakelifemiserableforthebigcat。
Closebyweremanytreesbearinglarge，hardfruitsandtooneofthesetheape—manswungwiththeagilityofasquirrel。ThencommencedabombardmentwhichbroughtforthearthshakingroarsfromNuma。Oneafteranotherasrapidlyashecouldgatherandhurlthem，Tarzanpeltedthehardfruitdownuponthelion。Itwasimpossibleforthetawnycattoeatunderthathailofmissiles——hecouldbutroarandgrowlanddodgeandeventuallyhewasdrivenawayentirelyfromthecarcassofBara，thedeer。Hewentroaringandresentful；butintheverycenteroftheclearinghisvoicewassuddenlyhushedandTarzansawthegreatheadlowerandflattenout，thebodycrouchandthelongtailquiver，asthebeastslunkcautiouslytowardthetreesupontheoppositeside。
ImmediatelyTarzanwasalert。Heliftedhisheadandsniffedtheslow，junglebreeze。WhatwasitthathadattractedNuma’sattentionandtakenhimsoft—footedandsilentawayfromthesceneofhisdiscomfiture？
JustastheliondisappearedamongthetreesbeyondtheclearingTarzancaughtuponthedown—comingwindtheexplanationofhisnewinterest——thescentspoorofmanwaswaftedstronglytothesensitivenostrils。Cachingtheremainderofthedeer’shindquarterinthecrotchofatreetheape—manwipedhisgreasypalmsuponhisnakedthighsandswungoffinpursuitofNuma。A
broad，well—beatenelephantpathledintotheforestfromtheclearing。ParalleltothisslunkNuma，whileabovehimTarzanmovedthroughthetrees，theshadowofawraith。ThesavagecatandthesavagemansawNuma’squarryalmostsimultaneously，thoughbothhadknownbeforeitcamewithinthevisionoftheireyesthatitwasablackman。TheirsensitivenostrilshadtoldthemthismuchandTarzan’shadtoldhimthatthescentspoorwasthatofastranger——oldandamale，forraceandsexandageeachhasitsowndistinctivescent。
Itwasanoldmanthatmadehiswayalonethroughthegloomyjungle，awrinkled，driedup，littleoldmanhideouslyscarredandtattooedandstrangelygarbed，withtheskinofahyenaabouthisshouldersandthedriedheadmounteduponhisgreypate。Tarzanrecognizedtheear—marksofthewitch—doctorandawaitedNuma’schargewithafeelingofpleasurableanticipation，fortheape—manhadnoloveforwitch—doctors；butintheinstantthatNumadidcharge，thewhitemansuddenlyrecalledthatthelionhadstolenhiskillafewminutesbeforeandthatrevengeissweet。
ThefirstintimationtheblackmanhadthathewasindangerwasthecrashoftwigsasNumachargedthroughthebushesintothegametrailnottwentyyardsbehindhim。Thenheturnedtoseeahuge，black—manedlionracingtowardhimandevenasheturned，Numaseizedhim。Atthesameinstanttheape—mandroppedfromanoverhanginglimbfulluponthelion’sbackandashealightedheplungedhisknifeintothetawnysidebehindtheleftshoulder，tangledthefingersofhisrighthandinthelongmane，buriedhisteethinNuma’sneckandwoundhispowerfullegsaboutthebeast’storso。Witharoarofpainandrage，Numarearedupandfellbackwardupontheape—man；butstillthemightyman—thingclungtohisholdandrepeatedlythelongknifeplungedrapidlyintohisside。OverandoverrolledNuma，thelion，clawingandbitingattheair，roaringandgrowlinghorriblyinsavageattempttoreachthethinguponitsback。MorethanoncewasTarzanalmostbrushedfromhishold。HewasbatteredandbruisedandcoveredwithbloodfromNumaanddirtfromthetrail，yetnotforaninstantdidhelessentheferocityofhismadattacknorhisgrimholduponthebackofhisantagonist。Tohaveloosenedforaninstanthisgripthere，wouldhavebeentobringhimwithinreachofthosetearingtalonsorrendingfangs，andhaveendedforeverthegrimcareerofthisjungle—bredEnglishlord。Wherehehadfallenbeneaththespringofthelionthewitch—doctorlay，tornandbleeding，unabletodraghimselfawayandwatchedtheterrificbattlebetweenthesetwolordsofthejungle。
Hissunkeneyesglitteredandhiswrinkledlipsmovedovertoothlessgumsashemumbledweirdincantationstothedemonsofhiscult。
Foratimehefeltnodoubtastotheoutcome——thestrangewhitemanmustcertainlysuccumbtoterribleSimba——whoeverheardofalonemanarmedonlywithaknifeslayingsomightyabeast！Yetpresentlytheoldblackman’seyeswentwiderandhecommencedtohavehisdoubtsandmisgivings。WhatwonderfulsortofcreaturewasthisthatbattledwithSimbaandheldhisowndespitethemightymusclesofthekingofbeastsandslowlytheredawnedinthosesunkeneyes，gleamingsobrightlyfromthescarredandwrinkledface，thelightofadawningrecollection。Gropinglybackwardintothepastreachedthefingersofmemory，untilatlasttheyseizeduponafaintpicture，fadedandyellowwiththepassingyears。Itwasthepictureofalithe，white—skinnedyouthswingingthroughthetreesincompanywithabandofhugeapes，andtheoldeyesblinkedandagreatfearcameintothem——thesuperstitiousfearofonewhobelievesinghostsandspiritsanddemons。
Andcamethetimeoncemorewhenthewitch—doctornolongerdoubtedtheoutcomeoftheduel，yethisfirstjudgmentwasreversed，fornowheknewthatthejunglegodwouldslaySimbaandtheoldblackwasevenmoreterrifiedofhisownimpendingfateatthehandsofthevictorthanhehadbeenbythesureandsuddendeathwhichthetriumphantlionwouldhavemetedouttohim。
Hesawthelionweakenfromlossofblood。Hesawthemightylimbstrembleandstaggerandatlasthesawthebeastsinkdowntorisenomore。Hesawtheforestgodordemonrisefromthevanquishedfoe，andplacingafootuponthestillquiveringcarcass，raisehisfacetothemoonandbayoutahideouscrythatfrozetheebbingbloodintheveinsofthewitch—doctor。
4
ProphecyandFulfillmentThenTarzanturnedhisattentiontotheman。HehadnotslainNumatosavetheNegro——hehadmerelydoneitinrevengeuponthelion；butnowthathesawtheoldmanlyinghelplessanddyingbeforehimsomethingakintopitytouchedhissavageheart。Inhisyouthhewouldhaveslainthewitch—doctorwithouttheslightestcompunction；butcivilizationhadhaditssofteningeffectuponhimevenasitdoesuponthenationsandraceswhichittouches，thoughithadnotyetgonefarenoughwithTarzantorenderhimeithercowardlyoreffeminate。Hesawanoldmansufferinganddying，andhestoopedandfeltofhiswoundsandstanchedtheflowofblood。
\"Whoareyou？\"askedtheoldmaninatremblingvoice。
\"IamTarzan——TarzanoftheApes，\"repliedtheape—manandnotwithoutagreatertouchofpridethanhewouldhavesaid，\"IamJohnClayton，LordGreystoke。\"
Thewitch—doctorshookconvulsivelyandclosedhiseyes。Whenheopenedthemagaintherewasinthemaresignationtowhateverhorriblefateawaitedhimatthehandsofthisfeareddemonofthewoods。\"Whydoyounotkillme？\"heasked。
\"WhyshouldIkillyou？\"inquiredTarzan。
\"Youhavenotharmedme，andanywayyouarealreadydying。
Numa，thelion，haskilledyou。\"
\"Youwouldnotkillme？\"Surpriseandincredulitywereinthetonesofthequaveringoldvoice。
\"IwouldsaveyouifIcould，\"repliedTarzan，\"butthatcannotbedone。WhydidyouthinkIwouldkillyou？\"
Foramomenttheoldmanwassilent。Whenhespokeitwasevidentlyaftersomelittleefforttomusterhiscourage。\"Iknewyouofold，\"hesaid，\"whenyourangedthejungleinthecountryofMbonga，thechief。
Iwasalreadyawitch—doctorwhenyouslewKulongaandtheothers，andwhenyourobbedourhutsandourpoisonpot。AtfirstIdidnotrememberyou；butatlastI
did——thewhite—skinnedapethatlivedwiththehairyapesandmadelifemiserableinthevillageofMbonga，thechief——theforestgod——theMunango—Keewatiforwhomwesetfoodoutsideourgatesandwhocameandateit。
TellmebeforeIdie——areyoumanordevil？\"
Tarzanlaughed。\"Iamaman，\"hesaid。
Theoldfellowsighedandshookhishead。\"YouhavetriedtosavemefromSimba，\"hesaid。\"ForthatI
shallrewardyou。Iamagreatwitch—doctor。Listentome，whiteman！Iseebaddaysaheadofyou。ItiswritinmyownbloodwhichIhavesmeareduponmypalm。
Agodgreatereventhanyouwillriseupandstrikeyoudown。Turnback，Munango—Keewati！Turnbackbeforeitistoolate。Dangerliesaheadofyouanddangerlurksbehind；butgreateristhedangerbefore。Isee——\"
Hepausedanddrewalong，gaspingbreath。Thenhecrumpledintoalittle，wrinkledheapanddied。
Tarzanwonderedwhatelsehehadseen。
Itwasverylatewhentheape—manre—enteredthebomaandlaydownamonghisblackwarriors。Nonehadseenhimgoandnonesawhimreturn。Hethoughtaboutthewarningoftheoldwitch—doctorbeforehefellasleepandhethoughtofitagainafterheawoke；buthedidnotturnbackforhewasunafraid，thoughhadheknownwhatlayinstoreforonehelovedmostinalltheworldhewouldhaveflownthroughthetreestohersideandallowedthegoldofOpartoremainforeverhiddeninitsforgottenstorehouse。
Behindhimthatmorninganotherwhitemanponderedsomethinghehadheardduringthenightandverynearlydidhegiveuphisprojectandturnbackuponhistrail。ItwasWerper，themurderer，whointhestillofthenighthadheardfarawayuponthetrailaheadofhimasoundthathadfilledhiscowardlysoulwithterror——asoundsuchasheneverbeforehadheardinallhislife，nordreamedthatsuchafrightfulthingcouldemanatefromthelungsofaGod—createdcreature。
HehadheardthevictorycryofthebullapeasTarzanhadscreameditforthintothefaceofGoro，themoon，andhehadtrembledthenandhiddenhisface；andnowinthebroadlightofanewdayhetrembledagainasherecalledit，andwouldhaveturnedbackfromthenamelessdangertheechoofthatfrightfulsoundseemedtoportend，hadhenotstoodinevengreaterfearofAchmetZek，hismaster。
AndsoTarzanoftheApesforgedsteadilyaheadtowardOpar’sruinedrampartsandbehindhimslunkWerper，jackal—like，andonlyGodknewwhatlayinstoreforeach。
Attheedgeofthedesolatevalley，overlookingthegoldendomesandminaretsofOpar，Tarzanhalted。
Bynighthewouldgoalonetothetreasurevault，reconnoitering，forhehaddeterminedthatcautionshouldmarkhiseverymoveuponthisexpedition。
Withthecomingofnighthesetforth，andWerper，whohadscaledthecliffsalonebehindtheape—man’sparty，andhiddenthroughthedayamongtheroughbouldersofthemountaintop，slunkstealthilyafterhim。Theboulder—strewnplainbetweenthevalley’sedgeandthemightygranitekopje，outsidethecity’swalls，wherelaytheentrancetothepassage—wayleadingtothetreasurevault，gavetheBelgianamplecoverashefollowedTarzantowardOpar。
Hesawthegiantape—manswinghimselfnimblyupthefaceofthegreatrock。Werper，clawingfearfullyduringtheperilousascent，sweatinginterror，almostpalsiedbyfear，butspurredonbyavarice，followingupward，untilatlasthestooduponthesummitoftherockyhill。
Tarzanwasnowhereinsight。ForatimeWerperhidbehindoneofthelesserbouldersthatwerescatteredoverthetopofthehill，but，seeingorhearingnothingoftheEnglishman，hecreptfromhisplaceofconcealmenttoundertakeasystematicsearchofhissurroundings，inthehopethathemightdiscoverthelocationofthetreasureinampletimetomakehisescapebeforeTarzanreturned，foritwastheBelgian’sdesiremerelytolocatethegold，that，afterTarzanhaddeparted，hemightcomeinsafetywithhisfollowersandcarryawayasmuchashecouldtransport。
Hefoundthenarrowcleftleadingdownwardintotheheartofthekopjealongwell—worn，granitesteps。Headvancedquitetothedarkmouthofthetunnelintowhichtherunwaydisappeared；butherehehalted，fearingtoenter，lesthemeetTarzanreturning。
Theape—man，faraheadofhim，gropedhiswayalongtherockypassage，untilhecametotheancientwoodendoor。Amomentlaterhestoodwithinthetreasurechamber，where，agessince，long—deadhandshadrangedtheloftyrowsofpreciousingotsfortherulersofthatgreatcontinentwhichnowliessubmergedbeneaththewatersoftheAtlantic。
Nosoundbrokethestillnessofthesubterraneanvault。
Therewasnoevidencethatanotherhaddiscoveredtheforgottenwealthsincelasttheape—manhadvisiteditshidingplace。
Satisfied，Tarzanturnedandretracedhisstepstowardthesummitofthekopje。Werper，fromtheconcealmentofajutting，graniteshoulder，watchedhimpassupfromtheshadowsofthestairwayandadvancetowardtheedgeofthehillwhichfacedtherimofthevalleywheretheWaziriawaitedthesignaloftheirmaster。
ThenWerper，slippingstealthilyfromhishidingplace，droppedintothesomberdarknessoftheentranceanddisappeared。
Tarzan，haltinguponthekopje’sedge，raisedhisvoiceinthethunderousroarofalion。Twice，atregularintervals，herepeatedthecall，standinginattentivesilenceforseveralminutesaftertheechoesofthethirdcallhaddiedaway。Andthen，fromfaracrossthevalley，faintly，cameanansweringroar——once，twice，thrice。Basuli，theWazirichieftain，hadheardandreplied。
Tarzanagainmadehiswaytowardthetreasurevault，knowingthatinafewhourshisblackswouldbewithhim，readytobearawayanotherfortuneinthestrangelyshaped，goldeningotsofOpar。Inthemeantimehewouldcarryasmuchofthepreciousmetaltothesummitofthekopjeashecould。
SixtripshemadeinthefivehoursbeforeBasulireachedthekopje，andattheendofthattimehehadtransportedforty—eightingotstotheedgeofthegreatboulder，carryinguponeachtripaloadwhichmightwellhavestaggeredtwoordinarymen，yethisgiantframeshowednoevidenceoffatigue，ashehelpedtoraisehisebonwarriorstothehilltopwiththeropethathadbeenbroughtforthepurpose。
Sixtimeshehadreturnedtothetreasurechamber，andsixtimesWerper，theBelgian，hadcoweredintheblackshadowsatthefarendofthelongvault。Onceagaincametheape—man，andthistimetherecamewithhimfiftyfightingmen，turningportersforloveoftheonlycreatureintheworldwhomightcommandoftheirfierceandhaughtynaturessuchmenialservice。Fifty—twomoreingotspassedoutofthevaults，makingthetotalofonehundredwhichTarzanintendedtakingawaywithhim。
AsthelastoftheWazirifiledfromthechamber，Tarzanturnedbackforalastglimpseofthefabulouswealthuponwhichhistwoinroadshadmadenoappreciableimpression。Beforeheextinguishedthesinglecandlehehadbroughtwithhimforthepurpose，andtheflickeringlightofwhichhadcastthefirstalleviatingraysintotheimpenetrabledarknessoftheburiedchamber，thatithadknownforthecountlessagessinceithadlainforgottenofman，Tarzan’smindrevertedtothatfirstoccasionuponwhichhehadenteredthetreasurevault，cominguponitbychanceashefledfromthepitsbeneaththetemple，wherehehadbeenhiddenbyLa，theHighPriestessoftheSunWorshipers。
Herecalledthescenewithinthetemplewhenhehadlainstretcheduponthesacrificialaltar，whileLa，withhigh—raiseddagger，stoodabovehim，andtherowsofpriestsandpriestessesawaited，intheecstatichysteriaoffanaticism，thefirstgushoftheirvictim’swarmblood，thattheymightfilltheirgoldengobletsanddrinktothegloryoftheirFlamingGod。
ThebrutalandbloodyinterruptionbyTha，themadpriest，passedvividlybeforetheape—man’srecollectiveeyes，theflightofthevotariesbeforetheinsanebloodlustofthehideouscreature，thebrutalattackuponLa，andhisownpartofthegrimtragedywhenhehadbattledwiththeinfuriatedOparianandlefthimdeadatthefeetofthepriestesshewouldhaveprofaned。
ThisandmuchmorepassedthroughTarzan’smemoryashestoodgazingatthelongtiersofdull—yellowmetal。
HewonderedifLastillruledthetemplesoftheruinedcitywhosecrumblingwallsroseupontheveryfoundationsabouthim。Hadshefinallybeenforcedintoaunionwithoneofhergrotesquepriests？
Itseemedahideousfate，indeed，foronesobeautiful。
Withashakeofhishead，Tarzansteppedtotheflickeringcandle，extinguisheditsfeebleraysandturnedtowardtheexit。
Behindhimthespywaitedforhimtobegone。Hehadlearnedthesecretforwhichhehadcome，andnowhecouldreturnathisleisuretohiswaitingfollowers，bringthemtothetreasurevaultandcarryawayallthegoldthattheycouldstaggerunder。
TheWazirihadreachedtheouterendofthetunnel，andwerewindingupwardtowardthefreshairandthewelcomestarlightofthekopje’ssummit，beforeTarzanshookoffthedetaininghandofreverieandstartedslowlyafterthem。
Onceagain，and，hethought，forthelasttime，heclosedthemassivedoorofthetreasureroom。InthedarknessbehindhimWerperroseandstretchedhiscrampedmuscles。Hestretchedforthahandandlovinglycaressedagoldeningotonthenearesttier。
Heraiseditfromitsimmemorialrestingplaceandweigheditinhishands。Heclutchedittohisbosominanecstasyofavarice。
Tarzandreamedofthehappyhomecomingwhichlaybeforehim，ofdeararmsabouthisneck，andasoftcheekpressedtohis；butthererosetodispelthatdreamthememoryoftheoldwitch—doctorandhiswarning。
Andthen，inthespanofafewbriefseconds，thehopesofboththesemenwereshattered。Theoneforgotevenhisgreedinthepanicofterror——theotherwasplungedintototalforgetfulnessofthepastbyajaggedfragmentofrockwhichgashedadeepcutuponhishead。
5
TheAltaroftheFlamingGodItwasatthemomentthatTarzanturnedfromthecloseddoortopursuehiswaytotheouterworld。Thethingcamewithoutwarning。Oneinstantallwasquietandstability——thenext，andtheworldrocked，thetorturedsidesofthenarrowpassagewaysplitandcrumbled，greatblocksofgranite，dislodgedfromtheceiling，tumbledintothenarrowway，chokingit，andthewallsbentinwarduponthewreckage。Beneaththeblowofafragmentoftheroof，Tarzanstaggeredbackagainstthedoortothetreasureroom，hisweightpusheditopenandhisbodyrolledinwarduponthefloor。
Inthegreatapartmentwherethetreasurelaylessdamagewaswroughtbytheearthquake。Afewingotstoppledfromthehighertiers，asinglepieceoftherockyceilingsplinteredoffandcrasheddownwardtothefloor，andthewallscracked，thoughtheydidnotcollapse。
Therewasbutthesingleshock，nootherfollowedtocompletethedamageundertakenbythefirst。Werper，throwntohislengthbythesuddennessandviolenceofthedisturbance，staggeredtohisfeetwhenhefoundhimselfunhurt。Gropinghiswaytowardthefarendofthechamber，hesoughtthecandlewhichTarzanhadleftstuckinitsownwaxupontheprotrudingendofaningot。
BystrikingnumerousmatchestheBelgianatlastfoundwhathesought，andwhen，amomentlater，thesicklyraysrelievedtheStygiandarknessabouthim，hebreathedanervoussighofrelief，fortheimpenetrablegloomhadaccentuatedtheterrorsofhissituation。
Astheybecameaccustomedtothelightthemanturnedhiseyestowardthedoor——hisonethoughtnowwasofescapefromthisfrightfultomb——andashedidsohesawthebodyofthenakedgiantlyingstretcheduponthefloorjustwithinthedoorway。Werperdrewbackinsuddenfearofdetection；butasecondglanceconvincedhimthattheEnglishmanwasdead。Fromagreatgashintheman’sheadapoolofbloodhadcollectedupontheconcretefloor。
Quickly，theBelgianleapedovertheprostrateformofhiserstwhilehost，andwithoutathoughtofsuccorforthemaninwhom，foraughtheknew，lifestillremained，heboltedforthepassagewayandsafety。
Buthisrenewedhopesweresoondashed。Justbeyondthedoorwayhefoundthepassagecompletelycloggedandchokedbyimpenetrablemassesofshatteredrock。
Oncemoreheturnedandre—enteredthetreasurevault。
Takingthecandlefromitsplacehecommencedasystematicsearchoftheapartment，norhadhegonefarbeforehediscoveredanotherdoorintheoppositeendoftheroom，adoorwhichgaveuponcreakinghingestotheweightofhisbody。Beyondthedoorlayanothernarrowpassageway。AlongthisWerpermadehisway，ascendingaflightofstonestepstoanothercorridortwentyfeetabovethelevelofthefirst。Theflickeringcandlelightedthewaybeforehim，andamomentlaterhewasthankfulforthepossessionofthiscrudeandantiquatedluminant，which，afewhoursbeforehemighthavelookeduponwithcontempt，foritshowedhim，justintime，ayawningpit，apparentlyterminatingthetunnelhewastraversing。
Beforehimwasacircularshaft。Heheldthecandleaboveitandpeereddownward。Belowhim，atagreatdistance，hesawthelightreflectedbackfromthesurfaceofapoolofwater。Hehadcomeuponawell。
Heraisedthecandleabovehisheadandpeeredacrosstheblackvoid，andthereupontheoppositesidehesawthecontinuationofthetunnel；buthowwashetospanthegulf？
Ashestoodtheremeasuringthedistancetotheoppositesideandwonderingifhedaredventuresogreataleap，therebrokesuddenlyuponhisstartledearsapiercingscreamwhichdiminishedgraduallyuntilitendedinaseriesofdismalmoans。Thevoiceseemedpartlyhuman，yetsohideousthatitmightwellhaveemanatedfromthetorturedthroatofalostsoul，writhinginthefiresofhell。
TheBelgianshudderedandlookedfearfullyupward，forthescreamhadseemedtocomefromabovehim。
Ashelookedhesawanopeningfaroverhead，andapatchofskypinkedwithbrilliantstars。
Hishalf—formedintentiontocallforhelpwasexpungedbytheterrifyingcry——wheresuchavoicelived，nohumancreaturescoulddwell。Hedarednotrevealhimselftowhateverinhabitantsdweltintheplaceabovehim。Hecursedhimselfforafoolthathehadeverembarkeduponsuchamission。HewishedhimselfsafelybackinthecampofAchmetZek，andwouldalmosthaveembracedanopportunitytogivehimselfuptothemilitaryauthoritiesoftheCongoifbysodoinghemightberescuedfromthefrightfulpredicamentinwhichhenowwas。
Helistenedfearfully，butthecrywasnotrepeated，andatlastspurredtodesperatemeans，hegatheredhimselffortheleapacrossthechasm。Goingbacktwentypaces，hetookarunningstart，andattheedgeofthewell，leapedupwardandoutwardinanattempttogaintheoppositeside。
Inhishandheclutchedthesputteringcandle，andashetooktheleaptherushofairextinguishedit。
Inutterdarknessheflewthroughspace，clutchingoutwardforaholdshouldhisfeetmisstheinvisibleledge。
Hestrucktheedgeofthedooroftheoppositeterminusoftherockytunnelwithhisknees，slippedbackward，clutcheddesperatelyforamoment，andatlasthunghalfwithinandhalfwithouttheopening；buthewassafe。
Forseveralminuteshedarednotmove；butclung，weakandsweating，wherehelay。Atlast，cautiously，hedrewhimselfwellwithinthetunnel，andagainhelayatfulllengthuponthefloor，fightingtoregaincontrolofhisshatterednerves。
Whenhiskneesstrucktheedgeofthetunnelhehaddroppedthecandle。Presently，hopingagainsthopethatithadfallenuponthefloorofthepassageway，ratherthanbackintothedepthsofthewell，heroseuponallfoursandcommencedadiligentsearchforthelittletallowcylinder，whichnowseemedinfinitelymoreprecioustohimthanallthefabulouswealthofthehoardedingotsofOpar。
Andwhen，atlast，hefoundit，heclaspedittohimandsankbacksobbingandexhausted。Formanyminuteshelaytremblingandbroken；butfinallyhedrewhimselftoasittingposture，andtakingamatchfromhispocket，lightedthestumpofthecandlewhichremainedtohim。Withthelighthefounditeasiertoregaincontrolofhisnerves，andpresentlyhewasagainmakinghiswayalongthetunnelinsearchofanavenueofescape。Thehorridcrythathadcomedowntohimfromabovethroughtheancientwell—shaftstillhauntedhim，sothathetrembledinterrorateventhesoundsofhisowncautiousadvance。
Hehadgoneforwardbutashortdistance，when，tohischagrin，awallofmasonrybarredhisfartherprogress，closingthetunnelcompletelyfromtoptobottomandfromsidetoside。Whatcoulditmean？Werperwasaneducatedandintelligentman。Hismilitarytraininghadtaughthimtousehismindforthepurposeforwhichitwasintended。Ablindtunnelsuchasthiswassenseless。Itmustcontinuebeyondthewall。Someone，atsometimeinthepast，hadhaditblockedforanunknownpurposeofhisown。Themanfelltoexaminingthemasonrybythelightofhiscandle。Tohisdelighthediscoveredthatthethinblocksofhewnstoneofwhichitwasconstructedwerefittedinlooselywithoutmortarorcement。Hetuggedupononeofthem，andtohisjoyfoundthatitwaseasilyremovable。Oneafteranotherhepulledouttheblocksuntilhehadopenedanaperturelargeenoughtoadmithisbody，thenhecrawledthroughintoalarge，lowchamber。Acrossthisanotherdoorbarredhisway；butthis，too，gavebeforehisefforts，foritwasnotbarred。Along，darkcorridorshowedbeforehim，butbeforehehadfolloweditfar，hiscandleburneddownuntilitscorchedhisfingers。Withanoathhedroppedittothefloor，whereitsputteredforamomentandwentout。
Nowhewasintotaldarkness，andagainterrorrodeheavilyastridehisneck。Whatfurtherpitfallsanddangerslayaheadhecouldnotguess；butthathewasasfaraseverfromlibertyhewasquitewillingtobelieve，sodepressingisutterabsenceoflighttooneinunfamiliarsurroundings。