Edgar Rice Burroughs

The Beasts of Tarzan Edgar Rice Burroughs

As Tarzan and his guide had disappeared into the shadows upon the dark wharf the figure of aheavily veiled woman had hurried down the narrow alley to the entrance of the drinking-place thetwo men had just quitted. Here she paused and looked about, and then as though satisfied that she had at last reached theplace she sought, she pushed bravely into the interior of the vile den. A score of half-drunken sailors and wharf-rats looked up at the unaccustomed sight of a richlygowned woman in their midst. Rapidly she approached the slovenly barmaid who stared half inenvy, half in hate, at her more fortunate sister."Have you seen a tall, well-dressed man here, but a minute since," she asked, "who met anotherand went away with him?"The girl answered in the affirmative, but could not tell which way the two had gone. A sailorwho had approached to listen to the conversation vouchsafed the information that a moment beforeas he had been about to enter the "pub" he had seen two men leaving it who walked toward thewharf."Show me the direction they went," cried the woman, slipping a coin into the man's hand. The fellow led her from the place, and together they walked quickly toward the wharf and alongit until across the water they saw a small boat just pulling into the shadows of a near-by steamer."There they be," whispered the man."Ten pounds if you will find a boat and row me to that steamer," cried the woman."Quick, then," he replied, "for we gotta go it if we're goin' to catch the Kincaid afore she sails. She's had steam up for three hours an' jest been a-waitin' fer that one passenger. I was a-talkin' toone of her crew 'arf an hour ago."As he spoke he led the way to the end of the wharf where he knew another boat lay moored, and, lowering the woman into it, he jumped in after and pushed off. The two were soon scuddingover the water