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It was to him they owed the raid during the absence of the Great Bwana。
To his hate for the Arabs； Mugambi added a still greater hate for the white
spy。
Within the village Werper passed hurriedly toward the silken tent of
Achmet Zek。 The Arab arose as his lieutenant entered。 His face
showed surprise as he viewed the tattered apparel of the Belgian。
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〃What has happened？〃 he asked。
Werper narrated all； save the little matter of the pouch of gems which
were now tightly strapped about his waist； beneath his clothing。 The
Arab's eyes narrowed greedily as his henchman described the treasure that
the Waziri had buried beside the ruins of the Greystoke bungalow。
〃It will be a simple matter now to return and get it；〃 said Achmet Zek。
〃First we will await the coming of the rash Waziri； and after we have slain
them we may take our time to the treasurenone will disturb it where it
lies； for we shall leave none alive who knows of its existence。
〃And the woman？〃 asked Werper。
〃I shall sell her in the north；〃 replied the raider。 〃It is the only way；
now。 She should bring a good price。〃
The Belgian nodded。 He was thinking rapidly。 If he could persuade
Achmet Zek to send him in command of the party which took Lady
Greystoke north it would give him the opportunity he craved to make his
escape from his chief。 He would forego a share of the gold； if he could
but get away unscathed with the jewels。
He knew Achmet Zek well enough by this time to know that no
member of his band ever was voluntarily released from the service of
Achmet Zek。 Most of the few who deserted were recaptured。 More
than once had Werper listened to their agonized screams as they were
tortured before being put to death。 The Belgian had no wish to take the
slightest chance of recapture。
〃Who will go north with the woman；〃 he asked； 〃while we are
returning for the gold that the Waziri buried by the bungalow of the
Englishman？〃
Achmet Zek thought for a moment。 The buried gold was of much
greater value than the price the woman would bring。 It was necessary to
rid himself of her as quickly as possible and it was also well to obtain the
gold with the least possible delay。 Of all his followers； the Belgian was
the most logical lieutenant to intrust with the command of one of the
parties。 An Arab； as familiar with the trails and tribes as Achmet Zek
himself； might collect the woman's price and make good his escape into
the far north。 Werper； on the other hand； could scarce make his escape
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alone through a country hostile to Europeans while the men he would send
with the Belgian could be carefully selected with a view to preventing
Werper from persuading any considerable portion of his command to
accompany him should he contemplate desertion of his chief。
At last the Arab spoke： 〃It is not necessary that we both return for the
gold。 You shall go north with the woman； carrying a letter to a friend of
mine who is always in touch with the best markets for such merchandise；
while I return for the gold。 We can meet again here when our business is
concluded。〃
Werper could scarce disguise the joy with which he received this
welcome decision。 And that he did entirely disguise it from the keen and
suspicious eyes of Achmet Zek is open to question。 However； the
decision reached； the Arab and his lieutenant discussed the details of their
forthcoming ventures for a short time further； when Werper made his
excuses and returned to his own tent for the comforts and luxury of a long…
desired bath and shave。
Having bathed； the Belgian tied a small hand mirror to a cord sewn to
the rear wall of his tent； placed a rude chair beside an equally rude table
that stood beside the glass； and proceeded to remove the rough stubble
from his face。
In the catalog of masculine pleasures there is scarce one which imparts
a feeling of greater comfort and refreshment than follows a clean shave；
and now； with weariness temporarily banished； Albert Werper sprawled in
his rickety chair to enjoy a final cigaret before retiring。 His thumbs；
tucked in his belt in lazy support of the weight of his arms； touched the
belt which held the jewel pouch about his waist。 He tingled with
excitement as he let his mind dwell upon the value of the treasure； which；
unknown to all save himself； lay hidden beneath his clothing。
What would Achmet Zek say； if he knew？ Werper grinned。 How the
old rascal's eyes would pop could he but have a glimpse of those
scintillating beauties！ Werper had never yet had an opportunity to feast
his eyes for any great length of time upon them。 He had not even
counted themonly roughly had he guessed at their value。
He unfastened the belt and drew the pouch from its hiding place。 He
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was alone。 The balance of the camp； save the sentries； had retirednone
would enter the Belgian's tent。 He fingered the pouch； feeling out the
shapes and sizes of the precious； little nodules within。 He hefted the bag；
first in one palm； then in the other； and at last he wheeled his chair slowly
around before the table； and in the rays of his small lamp let the glittering
gems roll out upon the rough wood。
The refulgent rays transformed the interior of the soiled and squalid
canvas to the splendor of a palace in the eyes of the dreaming man。 He
saw the gilded halls of pleasure that would open their portals to the
possessor of the wealth which lay scattered upon this stained and dented
table top。 He dreamed of joys and luxuries and power which always had
been beyond his grasp； and as he dreamed his gaze lifted from the table； as
the gaze of a dreamer will； to a far distant