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See those three men down there in the village, Byrne?" asked the Frenchman.

They're no more aboriginal headhunters than I am--they're Japs, man. There

must be something wrong with our trailing, for it's as certain as fate itself that

Japs are not head-hunters."

There ain't been nothin' fony about our trailin', bo," insisted Byrne, "an' whether

Japs are bean collectors or not here's where de ginks dat copped de doll hiked fer,

an if dey ain't dere now it's because dey went t'rough an' out de odder side, see."

Hush, Byrne," whispered Theriere. "Drop down behind this bush. Someone is

coming along this other trail to the right of us," and as he spoke he dragged the

mucker down beside him.

For a moment they crouched, breathless and expectant, and then the slim figure

of an almost nude boy emerged from the foliage close beside and entered the trail

toward the village. Upon his head he bore a bundle of firewood.

When he was directly opposite the watchers Theriere sprang suddenly upon him,

clapping a silencing hand over the boy's mouth. In Japanese he whispered a

command for silence.

We shall not harm you if you keep still," he said, "and answer our questions

truthfully. What village is that?"

"It is the chief city of Oda Yorimoto, Lord of Yoka," replied the youth. "I am Oda

Iseka, his son."

And the large hut in the center of the village street is the palace of Oda

Yorimoto?" guessed Theriere shrewdly.

"It is."

The Frenchman was not unversed in the ways of orientals, and he guessed also

that if the white girl were still alive in the village she would be in no other hut

than that of the most powerful chief; but he wished to verify his deductions if

possible. He knew that a direct question as to the whereabouts of the girl would

call forth either a clever oriental evasion or an equally clever oriental lie.

Does Oda Yorimoto intend slaying the white woman that was brought to his

house last night?" asked Theriere.

How should the son know the intentions of his father?" replied the boy.

Is she still alive?" continued Theriere.

The Mucker