After he had sent the boy he hesitated, remembering the humiliation he had already passed through; but a moment later Potbelly appeared at the entrance of the tent.
"Come here," said Hammer curtly, holding out the ring. "You see this? Take it to Professor Helmuth. Ask her to tell what this means—— Why, what the devil's the matter with you?"
Potbelly's grin had faded suddenly; rather, it had been frozen into a ghastly semblance of mirth, and he looked from the ring to Hammer with absolute terror.
"You savvy him, Bwana?" he whimpered. "You savvy Bwana John?"
"What Master John?" repeated the American suspiciously, then grinned. "John Jones or John Solomon?"
To his intense amazement, Potbelly merely whimpered again, then turned, speaking over his shoulder as he went through the door.
"You come, Bwana. I think mebbeso Missy Professor she see you."
"Well, I'll be darned!" murmured Hammer, and followed like a man in a dream.