"It's the Prins," Peter Gross exclaimed jubilantly. "Thank God, Captain Enckel came on time."
He tugged at his own bonds in a frenzy of hope, exerting all his great strength to strain them sufficiently to permit him to slip one hand free. But they were too tightly bound. Presently a shadow fell over him. He looked up with a start, expecting to see the face of the Chinese arch-murderer, Ah Sing. Instead it was Koyala.
"Let me help you," she said huskily. With a stroke of her dagger she cut the cord. Another stroke cut the bonds that tied his feet. He sprang up, a free man.
"Hurry, Koyala," he cried, catching her by the arm. "Ah Sing may be here any minute."
Koyala gently disengaged herself.
"Ah Sing is in the jungle, far from here," she said.
A silence fell upon them both. Her eyes, averted from his, sought the ground. He stood by, struggling for adequate expression.
"Where are you going, Koyala?" he finally asked. She had made no movement to go.
"Wherever you will, mynheer," she replied quietly. "I am now your prisoner."
Peter Gross stared a moment in astonishment. "My prisoner?" he repeated. "Nonsense."