by the collar and dragged him back. Neither spoke, for both felt
instinctively that murder was being done in that room, and Tarzan
was confident that Rokoff had had no intention that his confederate
should go that far--he felt that the man's aims were deeper than
that--deeper and even more sinister than brutal, cold-blooded
murder. Without hesitating to question those within, the ape-man
threw his giant shoulder against the frail panel, and in a shower
of splintered wood he entered the cabin, dragging Rokoff after
him. Before him, on a couch, the woman lay, and on top of her was
Paulvitch, his fingers gripping the fair throat, while his victim's
hands beat futilely at his face, tearing desperately at the cruel
fingers that were forcing the life from her.

The noise of his entrance brought Paulvitch to his feet, where he
stood glowering menacingly at Tarzan. The girl rose falteringly
to a sitting posture upon the couch. One hand was at her throat,
and her breath came in little gasps. Although disheveled and very
pale, Tarzan recognized her as the young woman whom he had caught
staring at him on deck earlier in the day.

"What is the meaning of this?" said Tarzan, turning to Rokoff, whom
he intuitively singled out as the instigator of the outrage. The
man remained silent, scowling. "Touch the button, please," continued
the ape-man; "we will have one of the ship's officers here--this
affair has gone quite far enough."

"No, no," cried the girl, coming suddenly to her feet. "Please do
not do that. I am sure that there was no real intention to harm
me. I angered this person, and he lost control of himself, that
is all. I would not care to have the matter go further, please,