Boy's Cinema (1933)

Every Tuesday " You know, we could be partners— you and I, ! ' he told her. "It would pay you to keep in with me. I'll leave you :o think it over, my dear." He turned and walked out of the room, and Coutlass saw him crossing the compound a few seconds later. Again the Greek attempted to reveal Limself to Barbara, but before he could do so the girl received another visitor in her apartment—Belle Waldron this time. "Listen!" the woman said. "I heard every word that Shillov spoke to you, but you needn't think you're going to e any bargain with him. I'm his partner, and I'm not going to stand by and lot him throw me over for you. Is that clear?" Barbara looked at her haughtily. " You flatter Shillov," she replied. "If he were the last man in the world, aldn't have anything to do with him." "You don't follow my meaning," snapped. "The ugly pig thinks I'm in lovo with him, but Tin not. i share in that ivory I want, and I thought he'd play straight by me; but now I know he won't. So I'm locking myself." "Why are you telling me this?" Barbara demanded. " Because I want to give you a piece of advice," Belle Waldron rejoined, "and I want to come to terms with Barbara shook her head. "I don't trust you," she said. "You helped Shillov to trap us, and I'm not ready to listen to any more of your os!" "You've got to'." Belle mapped. "Listen ! If you value the lifo of your or and your friends, don't tell Shillov the secret of the ivory." " How many times must I tell you that I know nothing of the ivory?" Barbara cried. The older woman smiled. can't expect me to believe that," BOY'S CINEMA she observed. " Now, here's my pro- position. I'll help you to escape at the height of to-night's celebrations. My maid Azu is to guard you, but she'll act on my instructions, and will let you go. You'll have to find your own way to Lazuma's village, where your father is, and when it's safe to do so I'll come to you there. But remember—I expect you to let me in on a share in the ivory !" " What about Monty and Fred?" Bar- bara murmured. " I'm not going with- out them !" Belle pursed her lips. "That makes things more difficult," she said, "but I'll find a way. Is it a bargain?" "Yes," Barbara agreed. "I'll vouA for my friends. If you carry out your part, we'll be willing to give you a share of any ivory we find." Coutlass was listening attentively, and, eager to have a hand in the deal, he sought out Belle as soon as she parted with Barbara. He joined the woman on the bungalow veranda, and, without divulging the fact that he had overheard her discus- sion with Barbara, he spoke to her rapidly. "Belle, you aro the very one I am looking for!" he exclaimed. "Shillov means to double-cross the two of If we are to outwit him, we must join forces." "Not so loud, you fool!" Belle told him fiercely. "Someone might hoar you. And what's this about joining forces? You've proved that you'd turn on me whenever it suited your purpose to do so!" "Turn on you?" the Greek protested. "I am your friend, Belle. I will help you." The woman eyed him shrewdly. "You're a friend to no one," she mut- tered, "but I could use you, and I'll take a ohance on you. To-night I'm going to see that Barbara Morgan gets 10 out of the bungalow. You can arrange to set Oakes and Montgomery free." "It is as good as done," Coutlass declared, and moved off across the com- pound. He chanced to draw near the cage in which Zungu was imprisoned. The ape-man had succeeded in disentangling part of the net from his body, and was hurling himself at the bars of his cage with a ferocity that made the whole structure tremble. Two or three of Shil'ov's white guards were striking at him with their muskets to drive him back. In the meantime the signal drum w.ts sending out a message through the bush, and soon troops of natives began to arrive at the settlement—bushinan allies of Shillov. all jubilant over Zungu's capture. By nightfall a large concord was gathered in the compound, and an uproarious celebration pro- '1. the blacks feasting and singing while the monster man of the jungle raged in his prison. Shillov dominated the festivities, and while the outlandish ceremony was in full swing Coutlass took the opportunity of making final arrangements with I'. Waldron. Then he stole round to gaol in which Monty and Fred hail lodged, and, under cover of the gloom; he crept up behind a sentry who was posted there. A sudden spring, and Coutlass was upon the man. Down came his fi Hashing blow that took the sentry behind uho ear, and. with a faint that was drowned by the prc\ ailing tumult in the compound, lie sagged :o his knees. The Greek struck him again, and the guard fell forward on his face. With swift-tnovinfr hands, Coutlass dot.. a bunch of keys from tlie fellow's belt, and then, showing his teeth in a grin, he drew close to the door of the from which Fred and Monty watohing him intently. " You see, I have the freedom of < Two or three of Shillov's white guards were striking at Zungu with their muskets to drive him back. January 21st, 1033,