Page:Barbour--Joan of the ilsand.djvu/189

Rh "The pearls!" cried Joan. "That's what they were after."

Keith had dived back into his room for his gun, and to slip on a pair of shoes. Chester ran to the place where he had hidden the two large pearls, but they were undisturbed. "Quick," Keith cried, reappearing. "You come too, Miss Trent. It isn't safe for you to be left here alone."

"What're you going to do, man?" asked Chester, still slightly bewildered by the suddenness of events, as he found himself taken by the arm and urged toward the door.

"The shed! For the love of Mike, hurry! There must be a nigger missing from where they sleep, and when we've found out which one—"

It was not necessary for Keith to explain further. The man who had attempted murder had jumped out of the window that was open. Opposite it, and immediately beyond the compound, was a clump of trees. Unless the culprit had the presence of mind to bolt straight back to the sleeping hut to avoid discovery, he would seek cover among the trees.

Holding a lantern high, and urging Joan to keep near him, Chester followed Keith, who found Taleile standing perplexed, in the doorway of the men's hut.

"What name? What name? What for you shout?" asked the black in alarm.