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the box。 All the time he listened intently for any sound which
might indicate that the sailor or another were approaching
his cabin； but none came to interrupt his work。
When the winding was completed the Russian set a pointer
upon a small dial at the side of the clockwork； then he
replaced the cover upon the black box； and returned the
entire machine to its hiding…place in the table。
A sinister smile curled the man's bearded lips as he gathered
up his valuables； blew out the lamp； and stepped from his cabin
to the side of the waiting sailor。
〃Here are my things；〃 said the Russian； 〃now let me go。〃
〃I'll first take a look in your pockets；〃 replied the sailor。
〃You might have overlooked some trifling thing that won't
be of no use to you in the jungle； but that'll come in mighty
handy to a poor sailorman in London。 Ah！ just as I feared；〃
he ejaculated an instant later as he withdrew a roll of bank…
notes from Paulvitch's inside coat pocket。
The Russian scowled； muttering an imprecation； but nothing
could be gained by argument； and so he did his best to
reconcile himself to his loss in the knowledge that the sailor
would never reach London to enjoy the fruits of his thievery。
It was with difficulty that Paulvitch restrained a consuming
desire to taunt the man with a suggestion of the fate that
would presently overtake him and the other members of the
Kincaid's company； but fearing to arouse the fellow's
suspicions； he crossed the deck and lowered himself in silence
into his canoe。
A minute or two later he was paddling toward the shore to
be swallowed up in the darkness of the jungle night； and the
terrors of a hideous existence from which； could he have had
even a slight foreknowledge of what awaited him in the long
years to come； he would have fled to the certain death of the
open sea rather than endure it。
The sailor； having made sure that Paulvitch had departed；
returned to the forecastle； where he hid away his booty and
turned into his bunk； while in the cabin that had belonged to
the Russian there ticked on and on through the silences of
the night the little mechanism in the small black box which
held for the unconscious sleepers upon the ill…starred Kincaid
the coming vengeance of the thwarted Russian。
Chapter 19
The Last of the 〃Kincaid〃
Shortly after the break of day Tarzan was on deck noting
the condition of the weather。 The wind had abated。
The sky was cloudless。 Every condition seemed ideal for
the commencement of the return voyage to Jungle Island；
where the beasts were to be left。 And thenhome！
The ape…man aroused the mate and gave instructions that
the Kincaid sail at the earliest possible moment。
The remaining members of the crew； safe in Lord Greystoke's
assurance that they would not be prosecuted for their share in
the villainies of the two Russians； hastened with cheerful
alacrity to their several duties。
The beasts； liberated from the confinement of the hold；
wandered about the deck； not a little to the discomfiture of
the crew in whose minds there remained a still vivid picture
of the savagery of the beasts in conflict with those who had
gone to their deaths beneath the fangs and talons which even
now seemed itching for the soft flesh of further prey。
Beneath the watchful eyes of Tarzan and Mugambi； however；
Sheeta and the apes of Akut curbed their desires； so that
the men worked about the deck amongst them in far greater
security than they imagined。
At last the Kincaid slipped down the Ugambi and ran out
upon the shimmering waters of the Atlantic。 Tarzan and Jane
Clayton watched the verdure…clad shore…line receding in the
ship's wake； and for once the ape…man left his native soil
without one single pang of regret。
No ship that sailed the seven seas could have borne him
away from Africa to resume his search for his lost boy with
half the speed that the Englishman would have desired； and
the slow…moving Kincaid seemed scarce to move at all to the
impatient mind of the bereaved father。
Yet the vessel made progress even when she seemed to be
standing still； and presently the low hills of Jungle Island
became distinctly visible upon the western horizon ahead。
In the cabin of Alexander Paulvitch the thing within the
black box ticked； ticked； ticked； with apparently unending
monotony； but yet； second by second； a little arm which
protruded from the periphery of one of its wheels came nearer
and nearer to another little arm which projected from the
hand which Paulvitch had set at a certain point upon the dial
beside the clockwork。 When those two arms touched one
another the ticking of the mechanism would ceasefor ever。
Jane and Tarzan stood upon the bridge looking out toward
Jungle Island。 The men were forward； also watching the land
grow upward out of the ocean。 The beasts had sought the
shade of the galley； where they were curled up in sleep。
All was quiet and peace upon the ship； and upon the waters。
Suddenly； without warning； the cabin roof shot up into the air；
a cloud of dense smoke puffed far above the Kincaid；
there was a terrific explosion which shook the vessel
from stem to stern。
Instantly pandemonium broke loose upon the deck。 The apes
of Akut； terrified by the sound； ran hither and thither；
snarling and growling。 Sheeta leaped here and there；
screaming out his startled terror in hideous cries that sent
the ice of fear straight to the hearts of the Kincaid's crew。
Mugambi； too； was trembling。 Only Tarzan of the Apes and
his wife retained their composure。 Scarce had the debris
settled than the ape…man was among the beasts； quieting their
fears； talking to them in low； pacific tones； stroking their
shaggy bodies； and assuring them； as only he could； that the
immediate danger was over。
An examination of the wreckage showed that their greatest danger；
now； lay in fire； for the flames were licking hungrily at the
splintered wood of the wrecked cabin； and had already found
a foothold upon the lower deck through a great jagged hole
which the explosion had opened。
By a miracle no member of the ship's company had been injured
by the blast； the origin of which remained for ever a total
mystery to all but onethe sailor who knew that Paulvitch had
been aboard the Kincaid and in his cabin the previous night。
He guessed the truth； but discretion sealed his lips。 It would；
doubtless； fare none too well for the man who had permitted
the arch enemy of them all aboard the ship in the watches
of the night； where later he might set an infernal machine
to blow them all to kingdom come。 No； the man decided that
he would keep this knowledge to himself。
As the flames gained headway it became apparent to Tarzan
that whatever had caused the explosion had scattered
some highly inflammable substance upon the surrounding
woodwork； for