'Let's see the map,' said Thome.
Wolff took it from his pocket and held it up in front of the other man, but not near enough for him to snatch it. 'Fork over the money, and the map's yours,' he said.
Atan Thome drew a thick wallet from an inner pocket and counted out five hundred pounds in Bank of England notes.
'If I had that roll of yours I wouldn't be riskin' my neck lookin' for no Father of Diamonds,' said Wolff, as he took the notes and stuffed them in his pocket.
'Are you still going along with the Gregory safari?' asked Thome.
'Sure,' replied Wolff; 'a poor man's got to work; but I'm goin' to be right with you when you get that diamond. I'm goin' to have my half.'
'You can do something more to help me,' said Thome, 'that will also make the diamond safer for us.'
'What's that?' asked Wolff, suspiciously.
'I'm going to have Magra try to go along with the Gregorys. You may be able to help in that. I want her to make friends with them—and make love to Brian Gregory; then if anything goes wrong she'll have some influence with them. I don't want to hang, and neither do you.'
'Where do I come in?' asked Wolff.
'You go along and lead them off onto a wrong trail. When they're good and lost, bring Magra up toward Ashair. You've seen the map; so you'll know about where to go. You'll find one of my old camps and wait there for me. Do you understand?'
'Yes.'
'And you'll do it?'
'Sure. Why not?'
'All right. Now go along. I'll be seeing you up around Ashair in a couple of months.'
After Wolff had left, Thome turned to Lal Taask. 'We've got to get out of here tonight,' he said. 'Go down to the river and bribe the captain of that boat to get up steam and leave for Bonga tonight.'
'You are very clever, Master,' said Lal Taask. 'You will let the young lady go, now that you have the map?'
'No. They didn't give me the map. They may catch up with us; and if they do, it will be just as well to have a hostage.'
'Again, Master—you are clever.'
It was past midnight when Atan Thome went aboard the river steamer with Lal Taask and Helen. At the gangplank he bid Magra goodby. 'Join the Gregory safari by any ruse,' he directed. 'They may reach Ashair, and I want some one with them I can trust. I must be prepared for any eventuality. If they should beat me to it and get the diamond, you must find some way to communicate with me. You may even get an opportunity to steal the diamond. Watch Wolff. I don't trust him. He has agreed to lead them astray and then bring you up toward Ashair to meet me when I come out. It's a good thing you're in love with Brian Gregory. That will help. Work it for all its worth. I didn't like the idea at first; but when I got to thinking about it, I saw where we could make use of it. Now, goodby; and remember all I have told you.'
Taask and Helen had boarded the steamer, the man walking very close to the girl, his pistol pressed against her side, lest she make an outcry.
'I think you are very foolish not to set her free,' said Magra.
'I can't now,' replied Thome—'not until after you have left the Gregory party. Can't you see?'
'Well, see that no harm comes to her—remember the arm of English law is long.' Then Magra turned and walked back into the village.
After a sleepless night of searching for Helen, Gregory, Tarzan, and d'Arnot were gathered in Gregory's room to formulate their plans.
'I'm afraid there's nothing left to do but notify the authorities,' said d'Arnot.
'I suppose you're right,' agreed Gregory. 'I was so afraid they'd kill her if we notified the police, but now there seems to be nothing else to do.'
There was a knock at the door, and the three men looked up. 'Come in!' said Gregory.
The door swung slowly open, and Magra stepped into the room.
'You!' exclaimed d'Arnot.
She paid no attention to him, but looked straight at Tarzan. 'Brian Gregory,' she said, 'I have come to help you find your sister.'
'What do you know about her? Where is she?' demanded Gregory.
'Atan Thome is taking her into the interior. He left for Bonga on the river boat last night.'
'But the boat doesn't sail until today,' interrupted d'Arnot.
'Atan Thome bribed the captain to sail last night,' Magra explained. 'I was to have gone, but—well, why I didn't is immaterial.'
'This woman is not to be trusted,' said Tarzan.
'You can trust me—always, Brian Gregory.' She turned to Gregory. 'If you doubt me, keep me with you—as a hostage, perhaps. It is possible that I may be able to help you.'
Gregory appeared not to hear her. He seemed stunned. 'Both my children,' be said. 'First Brian, now Helen, sacrificed—and for what?'
'Do not despair, Monsieur Gregory,' said d'Arnot. 'There must be a way.'
'But how?' demanded the older man. 'In four days Thome will be in Bonga. The boat will lie there at least one day. Coming back with the current, she will make the return trip in two and a half days, perhaps. Even if we can persuade the captain to return to Bonga immediately Thome will have had six or seven days start of us. He will be far into the interior. He probably has the map that was stolen from Helen's room. We have none. We will not know where to look for him.'
'Do not worry on that score,' urged d'Arnot. 'If Thome is in Africa , Tarzan of the Apes will find him.'
'Yes,' agreed Gregory, dully, 'but what will have happened to my poor girl in the mean time?'
'Wait!' exclaimed d'Arnot. 'I have it! There is yet a way. We have a naval seaplane here. I'm sure the authorities will fly us to Bonga. We shall be there when Monseiur Thome lands. What a surprise for Monsieur Thome, eh?'
'Wonderful!' cried Gregory. 'How can I ever thank you, Captain?'
Whatever her reaction, Magra's face showed no emotion.
Chapter 5
AT D'ARNOT'S REQUEST, the authorities were glad to co-operate; and with a delay of only a couple of hours the party was boarding a seaplane anchored in the river. Magra's expression suggested utmost self-satisfaction, as d'Arnot helped her aboard from the native canoe that had brought the party from shore. Wolff, who had never flown, swaggered a bit to hide Ms inward perturbation. Ogabi's eyes rolled fearfully.
'You see how easily everything was arranged?' exclaimed d'Arnot.
'Thanks to you,' replied Gregory.
'How long will it take you to fly to Bonga, Lieutenant?' Tarzan asked the pilot.
'Between two and three hours,' replied Lavac.
'It will take the steamer four days, against the current,' said d'Arnot. 'Atan Thome will find a reception committee waiting at the dock.'
As the plane raced up the river into the wind for the take-off, Ogabi closed his eyes and clutched the seat with both hands. When he opened his eyes again, he looked down upon the top of a forest. His face was no longer dark—it was a sickly ashen color.
'This is no place for man, Bwana, in belly of bird,' he said to Tarzan.
'But you are a man, Ogabi,' replied the ape-man; 'therefore you are not afraid. Remember that when the storm strikes us.'
'What storm?' asked Gregory.
