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Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
And Jane Clayton breathed a fervent； 〃Amen！〃
Months had passed。 The labor of the Waziri and the gold of Opar
had rebuilt and refurnished the wasted homestead of the Greystokes。
Once more the simple life of the great African farm went on as it had
before the coming of the Belgian and the Arab。 Forgotten were the
sorrows and dangers of yesterday。
For the first time in months Lord Greystoke felt that he might indulge
in a holiday； and so a great hunt was organized that the faithful laborers
might feast in celebration of the completion of their work。
In itself the hunt was a success； and ten days after its inauguration； a
well…laden safari took up its return march toward the Waziri plain。 Lord
and Lady Greystoke with Basuli and Mugambi rode together at the head of
the column； laughing and talking together in that easy familiarity which
common interests and mutual respect breed between honest and intelligent
men of any races。
Jane Clayton's horse shied suddenly at an object half hidden in the
long grasses of an open space in the jungle。 Tarzan's keen eyes sought
quickly for an explanation of the animal's action。
〃What have we here？〃 he cried； swinging from his saddle； and a
moment later the four were grouped about a human skull and a little litter
of whitened human bones。
Tarzan stooped and lifted a leathern pouch from the grisly relics of a
man。 The hard outlines of the contents brought an exclamation of
surprise to his lips。
〃The jewels of Opar！〃 he cried； holding the pouch aloft； 〃and；〃
pointing to the bones at his feet； 〃all that remains of Werper； the Belgian。〃
Mugambi laughed。 〃Look within； Bwana；〃 he cried； 〃and you will
see what are the jewels of Oparyou will see what the Belgian gave his
life for；〃 and the black laughed aloud。
〃Why do you laugh？〃 asked Tarzan。
〃Because；〃 replied Mugambi； 〃I filled the Belgian's pouch with river
gravel before I escaped the camp of the Abyssinians whose prisoners we
were。 I left the Belgian only worthless stones； while I brought away with
me the jewels he had stolen from you。 That they were afterward stolen
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Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
from me while I slept in the jungle is my shame and my disgrace； but at
least the Belgian lost themopen his pouch and you will see。〃
Tarzan untied the thong which held the mouth of the leathern bag
closed； and permitted the contents to trickle slowly forth into his open
palm。 Mugambi's eyes went wide at the sight； and the others uttered
exclamations of surprise and incredulity； for from the rusty and
weatherworn pouch ran a stream of brilliant； scintillating gems。
〃The jewels of Opar！〃 cried Tarzan。 〃But how did Werper come by
them again？〃
None could answer； for both Chulk and Werper were dead； and no
other knew。
〃Poor devil！〃 said the ape…man； as he swung back into his saddle。
〃Even in death he has made restitution let his sins lie with his bones。〃
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