Тарзан, прийом мавп

           PhilanderandClayton,withLieutenantCharpentierandtwoofhisbrotherofficers,whileEsmeraldahoveredinthebackground,everandanonventuringopinionsandcommentswiththefreedomofanoldandmuch-indulgedfamilyservant.

           Theofficersaroseandsalutedastheirsuperiorapproached,andClaytonsurrenderedhiscampstooltoJane.

           "WewerejustdiscussingpoorPaul’sfate,"saidCaptainDufranne."MissPorterinsiststhatwehavenoabsoluteproofofhisdeath—norhavewe.AndontheotherhandshemaintainsthatthecontinuedabsenceofyouromnipotentjunglefriendindicatesthatD’Arnotisstillinneedofhisservices,eitherbecauseheiswounded,orstillisaprisonerinamoredistantnativevillage."

           "Ithasbeensuggested,"venturedLieutenantCharpentier,"thatthewildmanmayhavebeenamemberofthetribeofblackswhoattackedourparty—thathewashasteningtoaidTHEM—hisownpeople."

           JaneshotaquickglanceatClayton.

           "Itseemsvastlymorereasonable,"saidProfessorPorter.

           "Idonotagreewithyou,"objectedMr.Philander."Hehadampleopportunitytoharmushimself,ortoleadhispeopleagainstus.Instead,duringourlongresidencehere,hehasbeenuniformlyconsistentinhisroleofprotectorandprovider.