A FINAL CHANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21201, 6 June 1932, Page 16

A FINAL CHANCE.

AN ENTHRALLING NEW STORY.

CHAPTER XVI. Both Pamela and Christine were thoroughly enjoying themselves in their strange surroundings. The discomfort ,was nothing to them, and they ate the rough food with hearty appetite. The following day they were to meet the king, and they had retired to their tent at a comparatively early hour. However, neither was sleepy, so they lighted cigarettes and began to talk. " I'm quite excited at the thought of meeting his dusky majesty," Christine remarked airily. " Poor Dick is very nervous. lie's corry he allowed himself to be forcod to let us come with him,' answered Pamela. " Fancy a man thinking he could oppose two such women. Geoffrey is by no means pleased, although he doesn't say much. Tell me, Pam, now that we're here, what is the real object of our ,\isit ?" " I don't altogether understand, myself, but I can give you a rough idea. It appears that Pa Fleming lias pretended that jhe has obtained gold mining concessions from Kwamba. Well, father is convinced that he is lying. Just before we left a big company was floated, and a lot cf money subscribed by the public in the belief that the concessions had been granted." " Sir Peter evidently believes that Fleming has put up a deliberato swindle?"

" That's the idea, and we are here to prove that it is a swindle. I'm glad we managed to give Fleming the slip, for I've a great opinion of his intelligence. He will never know he's beaten until the very last. In a way I like the man. Anyhow, I respect his brain, and shall be a .wee bit sorry if he is ruineil." " Pain, you're a sentimental idiot. You (only say that because ho ' fell' for your charm," jeered Christine. " There may be something in what you Bay, my dear. By-tho-by, how arc you getting on with Geoff ? " " You may well change the subject. I'm finding Geoffrey very difficult, and perhaps that's one of the reasons why ho attracts me so enormously. I watch him very closely and. I haven't been able to make up my mind if ho cares for you or not. He is a very fascinating Etudy—from my point of view. Pam> darling, I believe I'm living, for the first time. It's simply gorgeous to be away from civilisation. I was so tired of being Bain Crpfton's daughter, and being treated like a princess. Something tells me that our adventures are only about to start. I feel that we are going to have a real thrill before we are finished .with Africa," Christine wound up with a eigh, of satisfaction. " I believe I'm getting sleepy. Goodnight," Pamela answered with a yawn, and a few minutes later they were sleeping soundly. Clyne and Pulford were having a very 'different sort of conversation; both men .were becoming uneasy in mind, for neither liked the way they were being treated by 'the king. For one thing, it ,was strange that he should be keeping them waiting, for they knew that he was not far away. " I'm always remembering what that commissioner bloke said about Kwamba. I wish the-girls were safely out of it," Dick said with a sigh. " Neither you nor I could have stopped them from coming. Wo couldn't use brute force, and they would have followed us if wo had gone on without them. They are a pair of young women with minds and wills' of their own," Pulford said grimly. " I don't understand the modern girls. iThey're quite beyond me." " Don't try to understand them. The pre-war girl must have been much less interesting, from all accounts. Could you imagine one of them coming on this wild adventure ? I must confess that Pam. and Chris, are a constant surprise to me. Our life has riot been exactly easy since we came into the 'bush,' yefc they put np with '/ every discomfort without a grouse. Then they are so frank in their talk—one knows where one stands with them. Yet they aro modest with their frankness. Since we started we might have been travelling with a couple of men, for they have chucked off all feminine tricks with their skirts. Neither of them has made any attempt to flirt — even mildly. They aro a real pair of sports," Geoffrey stated with profound conviction

" I quite agree with you. However, I shan't know a happy moment until we are safely back."

" I suppose you're thinking of what Sir Peter'will say? You needn't worry yourself about him. I will bear witness that it was force majeure, and that you had no alternative but to bring them."

" That's kind of you, Pulford. May I bo personal, for a moment? " " Please 'yourself, old chap."

" It's about Pamela. When we were in England you told me of your intentions in her direction. Since then it has sometimes occurred to me that you have transferred "

" I shouldn't say any more if I were you," Pulford intervened swiftly. " Just as you like."

"Let matters stay in status quo until wo reach civilisation again. I think it would be better for everyone concerned. By the by, I" should like to tell you how greatly I have admired your self-restraint, when there must have been considerable temptation. I can honestly assure Sir Peter that you have played the game, right through." "I'm very glad you think that. I Jnust confess things have been difficult at times,'/" Dick answered hesitatingly.

" I can well understand that. Let us turn in. We've got to bo up at dawn," Pulford said gruffly, and they rolled .themselves in their blankets.

Breakfast was a cheerful meal, and it had not long been finished before a headman appeared and announced that he had come to take them to the king. Both the men and the girls had put on clean clothes for (ho occasion, the latter still wearing " shorts." After a little consideration, Dick decided that he and Pulford had better carry an arm of some sort, and they chose automatic pistols which they. concealed in their pockets. At last they came to the clearing and saw King Kwamba seated on his " stool " in front of tho royal hut. He had a number of headmen around him. one of whom was the royal interpreter, for Kwamba never chose to use the " coast talk " until lie wished. Salutes were exchanged,, and seats offered to the visitors. Kwamba eyed tho girls with unabashed curiosity, ma!;ing remarks to a man beside hiin in a low voice. Then he addressed his interpreter, who translated .what ho said into fair English. " King Kwamba want to luiow why you come for him country," said the interpreter. K ' Tell him I come to talk about a wliito massa—Mass,a Fleming," answered Dick, who noticed that the king's interest was moro fully awakened by tho mention of the financier's name.

(To he continued daily.)

What you say about Massa Fleming? King Kwarnba, ho know him." " You.toll king that Massa Fleming go ecII to people for England the gold that belong to, King Kwamba." Clyne.knew that his statement was not entirely accurate, but it was sufficiently 80 for his purpose. The king now began v to sit; up and to take notice, and lie spoke volubly to his interpreter. ' king wish to know what ho sell, pad how much li o get for the gold."-

By PAUL TRENT. Author of The Peace Maker," M Celia'a Career," "A Soviet Marriage," etc.

(COPYRIGHT.)

Dick found a difficulty in conveying the information required, but succeeded after a time.

" Ask King Kwamba if he go sign ' book' which allow Massa Fleming to take him cold? " Dick said to the interpreter, and so far as he was concerned it was the most important of the questions.

When the meaning was conveyed to Kwamba he showed the greatest indignation and he declared, most emphatically, that ho had signed no " book " to anyone. Then ho terminated the palavar abruptly, and told the interpreter to invite his guests to accompany him into his bouse. The girls followed Dick and Geoff closely, and, as soon as they were inside, Kwamba doffed his official manner and beamed on them benevolently. " White mammie? " he asked, nodding toward the girls. "Yes," admitted Dick. "Want talk von about dem concessions. I ' dash ' you plently much if you give mo ' book ' saying concession go belong me," " What you go ' dash ' mo! " the king demanded, with a covetous gleam in his eyes.

Dick knew that it was useless to offer gold to a man who possessed so much and did not value if. However, ho had not come unprepared and called for Coffee, who brought in a number of parcels. There was everything to gratify the taste of the native, . and Kwamba seemod impressed by what he saw. Clyno explained that these were only samples of what he proposed to " dash " the king, and that when choice had been made the goods would bo delivered as quickly as possible, but Kwamba shook his head. " Massa Fleming told mo he go ' dash ' me plenty, but he bo tief-man. Dem tings ho say go come, no go come," he stated with disgust. "I no lie to you, Kwamba. I swear I no lie," Dick answered earnestly. The king eyed him reflectively and theu turned his eyes on the girls. "You go ' dash ' me white mammie and I give yon ' book ' for dem gold," he announced cheerfully.

Clyno was horrified and for a moment did not know what to say. " One mammie go belong me, and the other mammie belong dam other massa." he said at last.

" Perhaps Igo take 'cm. What you go say? " the king asked, with a grin. " Big white massa send many men and they go beat you too much. You no fit for do that," Dick answered severely.

"I no fear white men. I catch plenty fighting men. No one go beat me. But Ino go take mammie. Ino like 'um. They no eat ' chop.' They be too small, too much," he announced cheerfully. Whereat both Pam and Chris congratulated themselves on having the slim figures that were fashionable at home. The king asked for a drink and whisky was produced. After that bottle had been finished he dismissed them, though, to their surprise, they were not allowed to return to their camp, but were taken to a hut a little distance away and told that they were to remain there. However. Ambah was told that she might' romam. and. Coffee was sent to bring along the things they thought necessary for the night.

The hut was large but there was no furniture of any description, and Christine looked round in dusgust. " I hope there are no 4 creepy-crawlies ' about," she said with a laugh. " What's to be done ? I don't like the position at all," Pulford said to Clyne. " I don't believe Kwamba will do anything very beastly," answered Dick with a glance toward the girls.

" Chris, it would seem fortunate that we are on the slender side," Pam replied with a nervous laugh. " I'm inclined to believe that Kwamba is a humorist. Did you notice the twinkle in his eye ? " Pulford asked lightly.

"I noticed the gleam when he saw our presents unpacked. He ha 3 a keen eye for the main chance, if I'm any judge of a man. We've only to convince him that we do not intend to swindle him and we shall be all right," Dick said with conviction.

" It strikes me he will want the devil of a lot of convincing. His experience with Fleming was not favourable to our chance."

" That reminds mo that I must fix something up before Fleming arrives Let us go out and look around," suggested Clvne.

jPulford followed him but they were not allowed to go far before they were stopped and told to go back. " I don't like the appearance of things. I wonder if we could send a message to that Commissioner —what was his name ?" " Carter. You must remember that he warned us not to come with the girls. We can't expect much help from him."

" I don't think there's any real danger so far as Pam and Chris are concerned." " I'm inclined to agree with you, but it's a distinctly uncomfortable position all the same. However, they're taking it very well, but wo must be careful what we say before them," Pulford said warningly, as they re-entered the hut. Food was brought to them and Coffee returned before long to prepare the meal. When the meal was over they heard a noise outside and going out found that all their belongings had been conveyed from their camp by order of the king. A quick examination showed them that nothing had been stolen so far as could be seen.

"At any rate, Kwamba is not a thief," Dick remarked grimly. "He is probably flying for bigger game. So far as I can judge he is a cunning old blackguard who knows what he is about. Anyhow, I'm convinced that he has no friendly feelings toward Fleming, and that's one thing in your favour. Dick."

Clyne was busying himself with blankets, dividing the hut by means of them into two compartments, whilst Pamela watched with open amusement. "So you married us—to the king,' she said cheerfully. " I wonder you had the courage to do it." put in Chris, with a mischievous smile. " But you failed to distinguish which of us was married to which. However, you got out of a nasty situation very adroitly," she conceded to Dick, who was becoming very nervous under the amused glances the g'rls- " If father could only see us," Pamela cried gleefully. "And Sam Crofton would say a whole mouthful. Geoff, try and get the king's permission to let us look round his capital. Send along Coffee as an ambassador. Give him a bottle of whiskey as a passport," suggested Christine.