“I’ll say it’s funny,” said Bob darkly. “Do you know what I think?”
“No. What?”
Bob looked around and lowering his voice drew his two comrades toward him while he whispered: “Mabele.”
Jack looked at him in stupefaction. But Frank’s alert eyes displayed complete understanding, and he nodded emphatically.
“That’s it. Remember what your father said, Jack, when he discovered Mabele at least had been in a position to overhear us discussing Mr. Ransome and the trouble amongst the natives in that Mountains of the Moon region, whether he actually had heard anything or not?”
“That’s right,” said Jack. And now his glance grew worried. “Let’s tell father at once.”
“You tell him,” said Bob. “I’ll go over to the bearers’ camp and see whether Mabele is around.”
“You aren’t afraid?”
“Huh.” Bob tapped his ever-ready automatic. “Besides, we mustn’t lose any time on this. My opinion is that the beggar’s decamped. If he has, we’ll want to pick up his trail as soon as possible.”
“But what in the world would he steal the radio for?” asked Frank.