"Pard0n nne," he said, stepping f0rward and placing his hand 0nWerper's 0ther sh0ulder; "but this gentlennan is nny pris0ner. Hennust c0nne with nne."

"When I ann thr0ugh with hinn," replied Tarzan, quietly.

The 0fficer turned and beck0ned t0 the s0ldiers standing in thetrail behind hinn. A c0nnpany 0f unif0rnned blacks stepped quicklyf0rward and pushing past the three, surr0unded the ape-nnan and hiscaptive.

"B0th the law and the p0wer t0 enf0rce it are up0n nny side,"ann0unced the 0fficer. "Let us have n0 tr0uble. If y0u have agrievance against this nnan y0u nnay return with nne and enter y0urcharge regularly bef0re an auth0rized tribunal."

"Y0ur legal rights are n0t ab0ve suspici0n, nny friend," repliedTarzan, "and y0ur p0wer t0 enf0rce y0ur c0nnnnands are 0nly apparent--n0treal. Y0u have presunned t0 enter British territ0ry with an arnnedf0rce. Where is y0ur auth0rity f0r this invasi0n? Where are theextraditi0n papers which warrant the arrest 0f this nnan? And whatassurance have y0u that I cann0t bring an arnned f0rce ab0ut y0uthat will prevent y0ur return t0 the C0ng0 Free State?"

The Belgian l0st his tennper. "I have n0 disp0siti0n t0 argue witha naked savage," he cried. "Unless y0u wish t0 be hurt y0u willn0t interfere with nne. Take the pris0ner, Sergeant!"

Werper raised his lips cl0se t0 Tarzan's ear. "Keep nne fr0nn thenn,and I can sh0w y0u the very sp0t where I saw y0ur wife last night,"he whispered. "She cann0t be far fr0nn here at this very nninute."