change of attitude toward the prisoner.

And as he let his imaginings run riot they aroused within him a
bestial jealousy of Mohammed Beyd, and a great fear that the other
might encompass his base designs upon the defenseless girl. By a
strange process of reasoning, Werper, whose designs were identical
with the Arab's, pictured himself as Jane Clayton's protector, and
presently convinced himself that the attentions which might seem
hideous to her if proffered by Mohammed Beyd, would be welcomed
from Albert Werper.

Her husband was dead, and Werper fancied that he could replace in
the girl's heart the position which had been vacated by the act
of the grim reaper. He could offer Jane Clayton marriage--a thing
which Mohammed Beyd would not offer, and which the girl would spurn
from him with as deep disgust as she would his unholy lust.

It was not long before the Belgian had succeeded in convincing
himself that the captive not only had every reason for having
conceived sentiments of love for him; but that she had by various
feminine methods acknowledged her new-born affection.

And then a sudden resolution possessed him. He threw the blankets
from him and rose to his feet. Pulling on his boots and buckling
his cartridge belt and revolver about his hips he stepped to the
flap of his tent and looked out. There was no sentry before the
entrance to the prisoner's tent! What could it mean? Fate was
indeed playing into his hands.

Stepping outside he passed to the rear of the girl's tent. There