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almost Arab hue to the European's complexion。 In every detail of dress；
too； he copied the fashions of his chief； so that outwardly he was as much
an Arab as the other。 It was late when he arose and retired to his own tent。
The following day Werper spent in overhauling his Belgian uniform；
removing from it every vestige of evidence that might indicate its military
purposes。 From a heterogeneous collection of loot； Achmet Zek procured a
pith helmet and a European saddle； and from his black slaves and
followers a party of porters； askaris and tent boys to make up a modest
safari for a big game hunter。 At the head of this party Werper set out
from camp。
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Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
2
On the Road To Opar
It was two weeks later that John Clayton； Lord Greystoke； riding in
from a tour of inspection of his vast African estate； glimpsed the head of a
column of men crossing the plain that lay between his bungalow and the
forest to the north and west。
He reined in his horse and watched the little party as it emerged from a
concealing swale。 His keen eyes caught the reflection of the sun upon
the white helmet of a mounted man； and with the conviction that a
wandering European hunter was seeking his hospitality； he wheeled his
mount and rode slowly forward to meet the newcomer。
A half hour later he was mounting the steps leading to the veranda of
his bungalow； and introducing M。 Jules Frecoult to Lady Greystoke。
〃I was completely lost；〃 M。 Frecoult was explaining。 〃My head man
had never before been in this part of the country and the guides who were
to have accompanied me from the last village we passed knew even less of
the country than we。 They finally deserted us two days since。 I am
very fortunate indeed to have stumbled so providentially upon succor。 I
do not know what I should have done； had I not found you。〃
It was decided that Frecoult and his party should remain several days；
or until they were thoroughly rested； when Lord Greystoke would furnish
guides to lead them safely back into country with which Frecoult's head
man was supposedly familiar。
In his guise of a French gentleman of leisure； Werper found little
difficulty in deceiving his host and in ingratiating himself with both
Tarzan and Jane Clayton； but the longer he remained the less hopeful he
became of an easy accomplishment of his designs。
Lady Greystoke never rode alone at any great distance from the
bungalow； and the savage loyalty of the ferocious Waziri warriors who
formed a great part of Tarzan's followers seemed to preclude the
possibility of a successful attempt at forcible abduction； or of the bribery
of the Waziri themselves。
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Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
A week passed； and Werper was no nearer the fulfillment of his plan；
in so far as he could judge； than upon the day of his arrival； but at that
very moment something occurred which gave him renewed hope and set
his mind upon an even greater reward than a woman's ransom。
A runner had arrived at the bungalow with the weekly mail； and Lord
Greystoke had spent the afternoon in his study reading and answering
letters。 At dinner he seemed distraught； and early in the evening he
excused himself and retired； Lady Greystoke following him very soon
after。 Werper； sitting upon the veranda； could hear their voices in earnest
discussion； and having realized that something of unusual moment was
afoot； he quietly rose from his chair； and keeping well in the shadow of the
shrubbery growing profusely about the bungalow； made his silent way to a
point beneath the window of the room in which his host and hostess slept。
Here he listened； and not without result； for almost the first words he
overheard filled him with excitement。 Lady Greystoke was speaking as
Werper came within hearing。
〃I always feared for the stability of the company；〃 she was saying； 〃but
it seems incredible that they should have failed for so enormous a sum
unless there has been some dishonest manipulation。〃
〃That is what I suspect；〃 replied Tarzan； 〃but whatever the cause； the
fact remains that I have lost everything； and there is nothing for it but to
return to Opar and get more。〃
〃Oh； John；〃 cried Lady Greystoke； and Werper could feel the shudder
through her voice； 〃is there no other way？ I cannot bear to think of you
returning to that frightful city。 I would rather live in poverty always than
to have you risk the hideous dangers of Opar。〃
〃You need have no fear；〃 replied Tarzan； laughing。 〃I am pretty well
able to take care of myself； and were I not； the Waziri who will
accompany me will see that no harm befalls me。〃
〃They ran away from Opar once； and left you to your fate；〃 she
reminded him。
〃They will not do it again；〃 he answered。 〃They were very much
ashamed of themselves； and were coming back when I met them。〃
〃But there must be some other way；〃 insisted the woman。
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Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
〃There is no other way half so easy to obtain another fortune； as to go
to the treasure vaults of Opar and bring it away；〃 he replied。 〃I shall be
very careful； Jane； and the chances are that the inhabitants of Opar will
never know that I have been there again and despoiled them of another
portion of the treasure； the very existence of which they are as ignorant of
as they would be of its value。〃
The finality in his tone seemed to assure Lady Greystoke that further
argument was futile； and so she abandoned the subject。
Werper remained； listening； for a short time； and then； confident that
he had overheard all that was necessary and fearing discovery； returned to
the veranda； where he smoked numerous cigarets in rapid succession
before retiring。
The following morning at breakfast； Werper announced his intention
of making an early departure； and asked Tarzan's permission to hunt bi