"Master, I did as I have told," M'Kovo replied.
Sanders touched a spring, and the case of the box flew open. There was revealed a dial like that of a watch save that it contained many little hands.
M'Kovo watched curiously as Sanders examined the instrument.
"Look well at this, M'Kovo," said Sanders dryly; "for it is a small devil which talks truly—and it tells me that you have travelled no farther than a man may walk in the time that the full moon climbs a tree."
The Zaire had arrived during the night, and a Houssa guard stood waiting.
Sanders slipped the pedometer into his pocket, gave a characteristic jerk of his head, and Sergeant Abiboo seized his prisoner.
"Let him sit in irons," said Sanders in Arabic, "and take six men along the forest road and bring me any man you may find."
Abiboo returned in an hour with four prisoners, and they were very voluble—too voluble for the safety of M'Kovo and his younger brother, for by night Sanders had discovered a forest grave where Hikilari the wise chief lay.
It was under a tree with wide-spreading branches, and was eminently suitable for the sequel to that tragedy.
* * * * *