“Yes,” smiled Stolburst, “I do know a few interesting facts about Africa.”
“Can I serve you in any way?” asked the detective.
“I trust you can.”
“What do you require?”
“That you save my life.”
Burt looked at his visitor in considerable surprise. Was the man crazy? That thought struck him at once. Having seen Stolburst on the lecture platform, he knew his visitor to be none other than the explorer.
The latter interpreted the other’s inquiring glance.
“You think me bereft of sense?” he quietly asked.
“No,” said Burt; “but how can your life be possibly in danger while you are in a large community like this?”
“Nevertheless, it is. I have fought against savage tribes, and not more savage beasts. Several times have I barely escaped assassination by poison, knife, and other weapons; but never, in the jungles of Africa, was my life in more danger than at the present moment. I am not surprised you should think my statement a very rash one, yet it is true, nevertheless.”