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"Otobu does not seem to be hurt at all, Bwana," he replied, "only for a great ache

in his head."

Good," said the ape-man. "You want to return to the Wamabo country?"

Yes, Bwana."

Then lead us from the city by the safest way."

There is no safe way," replied the black, "and even if we reach the gates we shall

have to fight. I can lead you from this building to a side street with little danger of

meeting anyone on the way. Beyond that we must take our chance of discovery.

You are all dressed as are the people of this wicked city so perhaps we may pass

unnoticed, but at the gate it will be a different matter, for none is permitted to

leave the city at night."

"Very well," replied the ape-man, "let us be on our way."

Otobu led them through the broken door of the outer room, and part way down

the corridor he turned into another apartment at the right. This they crossed to a

passageway beyond, and, finally, traversing several rooms and corridors, he led

them down a flight of steps to a door which opened directly upon a side street in

rear of the palace.

Two men, a woman, and a black slave were not so extraordinary a sight upon the

streets of the city as to arouse comment. When passing beneath the flares the

three Europeans were careful to choose a moment when no chance pedestrian

might happen to get a view of their features, but in the shadow of the arcades

there seemed little danger of detection. They had covered a good portion of the

distance to the gate without mishap when there came to their ears from the

central portion of the city sounds of a great commotion.

What does that mean?" Tarzan asked of Otobu, who was now trembling violently.

Master," he replied, "they have discovered that which has happened in the palace

of Veza, mayor of the city. His son and the girl escaped and summoned soldiers

who have now doubtless discovered the body of Veza."

"I wonder," said Tarzan, "if they have discovered the party I threw through the

window."

Bertha Kircher, who understood enough of the dialect to follow their

conversation, asked Tarzan if he knew that the man he had thrown from the

window was the king's son. The ape-man laughed. "No," he said, "I did not. That

rather complicates matters--at least if they have found him."

229

Tarzan the Untamed