"Wait!" exclaimed the ape-man to his captive. "This gentleman wishesyou, and so do I. When I am through with you, he may have you.Tell me what has become of my wife."

The Belgian officer eyed the almost naked, purple giant with curiosity.He noted the strange contrast of primitive weapons and apparel, andthe easy, fluent French which the man spoke. The former denotedthe lowest, the latter the highest type of culture. He could notquite determine the social status of this strange creature; buthe really knew that he did not relish the easy assurance with which thefellow presumed to dictate when he might take possession of theprisoner.

"Pardon me," he said, stepping forward and placing his arm onWerper's other shoulder; "but this gentleman is my prisoner. Hemust come with me."

"When I am through with him," said in reply Tarzan, quietly.

The officer turned and beckoned to the soldiers standing in thetrail behind him. A company of uniformed blacks stepped quicklyforward and pushing past the three, surrounded the ape-man and hiscaptive.

"Both the law and the power to enforce it are upon my side,"announced the officer. "Let us have no trouble. If you have agrievance against this man you may return with me and enter yourcharge regularly before an authorized tribunal."