"Iamguiltyofnooffense，"hesaidquietly。"Ihavebutsoughttodefendmyself。Idonotknowwhythewomanhastoldyouwhatshehas。Shecanhavenoenmityagainstme，forneveruntilIcametothisroominresponsetohercriesforhelphadIseenher。"
　　"Come，come，"saidoneoftheofficers;"therearejudgestolistentoallthat，"andheadvancedtolayhishanduponTarzan’sshoulder。Aninstantlaterhelaycrumpledinacorneroftheroom，andthen，ashiscomradesrushedinupontheape—man，theyexperiencedatasteofwhattheapacheshadbutrecentlygonethrough。Soquicklyandsoroughlydidhehandlethemthattheyhadnotevenanopportunitytodrawtheirrevolvers。
　　DuringthebrieffightTarzanhadnotedtheopenwindowand，beyond，thestemofatree，oratelegraphpole——hecouldnottellwhich。Asthelastofficerwentdown，oneofhisfellowssucceededindrawinghisrevolverand，fromwherehelayonthefloor，firedatTarzan。Theshotmissed，andbeforethemancouldfireagainTarzanhadsweptthelampfromthemantelandplungedtheroomintodarkness。
　　Thenexttheysawwasalitheformspringtothesilloftheopenwindowandleap，panther—like，ontothepoleacrossthewalk。Whenthepolicegatheredthemselvestogetherandreachedthestreettheirprisonerwasnowheretobeseen。
　　Theydidnothandlethewomanandthemenwhohadnotescapedanytoogentlywhentheytookthemtothestation;theywereaverysoreandhumiliateddetailofpolice。
　　Itgalledthemtothinkthatitwouldbenecessarytoreportthatasingleunarmedmanhadwipedthefloorwiththewholelotofthem，andthenescapedthemaseasilyasthoughtheyhadnotexisted。
　　Theofficerwhohadremainedinthestreetsworethatnoonehadleapedfromthewindoworleftthebuildingfromthetimetheyentereduntiltheyhadcomeout。Hiscomradesthoughtthathelied，buttheycouldnotproveit。
　　WhenTarzanfoundhimselfclingingtothepoleoutsidethewindow，hefollowedhisjungleinstinctandlookedbelowforenemiesbeforeheventureddown。Itwaswellhedid，forjustbeneathstoodapoliceman。Above，Tarzansawnoone，sohewentupinsteadofdown。
　　Thetopofthepolewasoppositetheroofofthebuilding，soitwasbuttheworkofaninstantforthemusclesthathadforyearssenthimhurtlingthroughthetreetopsofhisprimevalforesttocarryhimacrossthelittlespacebetweenthepoleandtheroof。Fromonebuildinghewenttoanother，andsoon，withmuchclimbing，untilatacrossstreethediscoveredanotherpole，downwhichherantotheground。
　　Forasquareortwoheranswiftly;thenheturnedintoalittleall—nightcafeandinthelavatoryremovedtheevidencesofhisover—roofpromenadefromhandsandclothes。
　　Whenheemergedafewmomentslateritwastosaunterslowlyontowardhisapartments。
　　Notfarfromthemhecametoawell—lightedboulevardwhichitwasnecessarytocross。Ashestooddirectlybeneathabrilliantarclight，waitingforalimousinethatwasapproachingtopasshim，heheardhisnamecalledinasweetfemininevoice。Lookingup，hemetthesmilingeyesofOlgadeCoudeassheleanedforwarduponthebackseatofthemachine。
　　Hebowedverylowinresponsetoherfriendlygreeting。
　　Whenhestraightenedupthemachinehadborneheraway。
　　"RokoffandtheCountessdeCoudebothinthesameevening，"hesoliloquized;"Parisisnotsolarge，afterall。"
　　Chapter4
　　TheCountessExplains"YourParisismoredangerousthanmysavagejungles，Paul，"concludedTarzan，afternarratinghisadventurestohisfriendthemorningfollowinghisencounterwiththeapachesandpoliceintheRueMaule。"Whydidtheyluremethere？Weretheyhungry？"
　　D’Arnotfeignedahorrifiedshudder，buthelaughedatthequaintsuggestion。
　　"Itisdifficulttoriseabovethejunglestandardsandreasonbythelightofcivilizedways，isitnot，myfriend？"hequeriedbanteringly。
　　"Civilizedways，forsooth，"scoffedTarzan。"Junglestandardsdonotcountenancewantonatrocities。Therewekillforfoodandforself—preservation，orinthewinningofmatesandtheprotectionoftheyoung。Always，yousee，inaccordancewiththedictatesofsomegreatnaturallaw。
　　Buthere！Faugh，yourcivilizedmanismorebrutalthanthebrutes。Hekillswantonly，and，worsethanthat，heutilizesanoblesentiment，thebrotherhoodofman，asaluretoenticehisunwaryvictimtohisdoom。ItwasinanswertoanappealfromafellowbeingthatIhastenedtothatroomwheretheassassinslayinwaitforme。
　　"Ididnotrealize，Icouldnotrealizeforalongtimeafterward，thatanywomancouldsinktosuchmoraldepravityasthatonemusthavetocallawould—berescuertodeath。
　　Butitmusthavebeenso——thesightofRokoffthereandthewoman’slaterrepudiationofmetothepolicemakeitimpossibletoplaceanyotherconstructionuponheracts。
　　RokoffmusthaveknownthatIfrequentlypassedthroughtheRueMaule。Helayinwaitforme——hisentireschemeworkedouttothelastdetail，eventothewoman’sstoryincaseahitchshouldoccurintheprogramsuchasreallydidhappen。Itisallperfectlyplaintome。"
　　"Well，"saidD’Arnot，"amongotherthings，ithastaughtyouwhatIhavebeenunabletoimpressuponyou——thattheRueMauleisagoodplacetoavoidafterdark。"
　　"Onthecontrary，"repliedTarzan，withasmile，"ithasconvincedmethatitistheoneworth—whilestreetinallParis。NeveragainshallImissanopportunitytotraverseit，forithasgivenmethefirstrealentertainmentIhavehadsinceIleftAfrica。"
　　"Itmaygiveyoumorethanyouwillrelishevenwithoutanothervisit，"saidD’Arnot。"Youarenotthroughwiththepoliceyet，remember。IknowtheParispolicewellenoughtoassureyouthattheywillnotsoonforgetwhatyoudidtothem。Soonerorlatertheywillgetyou，mydearTarzan，andthentheywilllockthewildmanofthewoodsupbehindironbars。Howwillyoulikethat？"
　　"TheywillneverlockTarzanoftheApesbehindironbars，"
　　repliedhe，grimly。
　　Therewassomethingintheman’svoiceashesaiditthatcausedD’Arnottolookupsharplyathisfriend。Whathesawinthesetjawandthecold，grayeyesmadetheyoungFrenchmanveryapprehensiveforthisgreatchild，whocouldrecognizenolawmightierthanhisownmightyphysicalprowess。HesawthatsomethingmustbedonetosetTarzanrightwiththepolicebeforeanotherencounterwaspossible。
　　"Youhavemuchtolearn，Tarzan，"hesaidgravely。"Thelawofmanmustberespected，whetheryourelishitorno。
　　Nothingbuttroublecancometoyouandyourfriendsshouldyoupersistindefyingthepolice。Icanexplainittothemonceforyou，andthatIshalldothisveryday，buthereafteryoumustobeythelaw。Ifitsrepresentativessay`Come，’youmustcome;iftheysay`Go，’youmustgo。
　　NowweshallgotomygreatfriendinthedepartmentandfixupthismatteroftheRueMaule。Come！"
　　Togethertheyenteredtheofficeofthepoliceofficialahalfhourlater。Hewasverycordial。HerememberedTarzanfromthevisitthetwohadmadehimseveralmonthspriorinthematteroffingerprints。
　　WhenD’Arnothadconcludedthenarrationoftheeventswhichhadtranspiredthepreviousevening，agrimsmilewasplayingaboutthelipsofthepoliceman。Hetouchedabuttonnearhishand，andashewaitedfortheclerktorespondtoitssummonshesearchedthroughthepapersonhisdeskforonewhichhefinallylocated。
　　"Here，Joubon，"hesaidastheclerkentered。"Summontheseofficers——havethemcometomeatonce，"andhehandedthemanthepaperhehadsought。ThenheturnedtoTarzan。
　　"Youhavecommittedaverygraveoffense，monsieur，"hesaid，notunkindly，"andbutfortheexplanationmadebyourgoodfriendhereIshouldbeinclinedtojudgeyouharshly。
　　Iam，instead，abouttodoaratherunheard—of—thing。
　　Ihavesummonedtheofficerswhomyoumaltreatedlastnight。
　　TheyshallhearLieutenantD’Arnot’sstory，andthenIshallleaveittotheirdiscretiontosaywhetheryoushallbeprosecutedornot。
　　"Youhavemuchtolearnaboutthewaysofcivilization。
　　Thingsthatseemstrangeorunnecessarytoyou，youmustlearntoacceptuntilyouareabletojudgethemotivesbehindthem。Theofficerswhomyouattackedwerebutdoingtheirduty。Theyhadnodiscretioninthematter。Everydaytheyrisktheirlivesintheprotectionofthelivesorpropertyofothers。Theywoulddothesameforyou。Theyareverybravemen，andtheyaredeeplymortifiedthatasingleunarmedmanbestedandbeatthem。
　　"Makeiteasyforthemtooverlookwhatyoudid。
　　UnlessIamgravelyinerroryouareyourselfaverybraveman，andbravemenareproverbiallymagnanimous。"
　　Furtherconversationwasinterruptedbytheappearanceofthefourpolicemen。AstheireyesfellonTarzan，surprisewaswritlargeoneachcountenance。
　　"Mychildren，"saidtheofficial，"hereisthegentlemanwhomyoumetintheRueMaulelastevening。Hehascomevoluntarilytogivehimselfup。IwishyoutolistenattentivelytoLieutenantD’Arnot，whowilltellyouapartofthestoryofmonsieur’slife。Itmayexplainhisattitudetowardyouoflastnight。Proceed，mydearlieutenant。"
　　D’Arnotspoketothepolicemenforhalfanhour。HetoldthemsomethingofTarzan’swildjunglelife。Heexplainedthesavagetrainingthathadtaughthimtobattlelikeawildbeastinself—preservation。Itbecameplaintothemthatthemanhadbeenguidedbyinstinctratherthanreasoninhisattackuponthem。Hehadnotunderstoodtheirintentions。
　　Tohimtheyhadbeenlittledifferentfromanyofthevariousformsoflifehehadbeenaccustomedtoinhisnativejungle，wherepracticallyallwerehisenemies。
　　"Yourpridehasbeenwounded，"saidD’Arnot，inconclusion。
　　"Itisthefactthatthismanovercameyouthathurtsthemost。
　　Butyouneedfeelnoshame。YouwouldnotmakeapologiesfordefeathadyoubeenpennedinthatsmallroomwithanAfricanlion，orwiththegreatGorillaofthejungles。
　　"Andyetyouwerebattlingwithmusclesthathavetimeandtimeagainbeenpitted，andalwaysvictoriously，againsttheseterrorsofthedarkcontinent。ItisnodisgracetofallbeneaththesuperhumanstrengthofTarzanoftheApes。"
　　Andthen，asthemenstoodlookingfirstatTarzanandthenattheirsuperiortheape—mandidtheonethingwhichwasneededtoerasethelastremnantofanimositywhichtheymighthavefeltforhim。Withoutstretchedhandheadvancedtowardthem。
　　"IamsorryforthemistakeImade，"hesaidsimply。"Letusbefriends。"Andthatwastheendofthewholematter，exceptthatTarzanbecameasubjectofmuchconversationinthebarracksofthepolice，andincreasedthenumberofhisfriendsbyfourbravemenatleast。
　　OntheirreturntoD’Arnot’sapartmentsthelieutenantfoundaletterawaitinghimfromanEnglishfriend，WilliamCecilClayton，LordGreystoke。Thetwohadmaintainedacorrespondencesincethebirthoftheirfriendshiponthatill—fatedexpeditioninsearchofJanePorterafterhertheftbyTerkoz，thebullape。
　　"TheyaretobemarriedinLondoninabouttwomonths，"
　　saidD’Arnot，ashecompletedhisperusaloftheletter。
　　Tarzandidnotneedtobetoldwhowasmeantby"they。"
　　Hemadenoreply，buthewasveryquietandthoughtfulduringthebalanceoftheday。
　　Thateveningtheyattendedtheopera。Tarzan’smindwasstilloccupiedbyhisgloomythoughts。Hepaidlittleornoattentiontowhatwastranspiringuponthestage。InsteadhesawonlythelovelyvisionofabeautifulAmericangirl，andheardnaughtbutasad，sweetvoiceacknowledgingthathislovewasreturned。Andshewastomarryanother！
　　Heshookhimselftoberidofhisunwelcomethoughts，andatthesameinstanthefelteyesuponhim。Withtheinstinctthatwashisbyvirtueoftraininghelookedupsquarelyintotheeyesthatwerelookingathim，tofindthattheywereshiningfromthesmilingfaceofOlga，CountessdeCoude。AsTarzanreturnedherbowhewaspositivethattherewasaninvitationinherlook，almostaplea。
　　Thenextintermissionfoundhimbesideherinherbox。
　　"Ihavesomuchwishedtoseeyou，"shewassaying。
　　"Ithastroubledmenotalittletothinkthataftertheserviceyourenderedtobothmyhusbandandmyselfnoadequateexplanationwasevermadeyouofwhatmusthaveseemedingratitudeonourpartinnottakingthenecessarystepstopreventarepetitionoftheattacksuponusbythosetwomen。"
　　"Youwrongme，"repliedTarzan。"Mythoughtsofyouhavebeenonlythemostpleasant。Youmustnotfeelthatanyexplanationisdueme。Havetheyannoyedyoufurther？"
　　"Theynevercease，"sherepliedsadly。"IfeelthatImusttellsomeone，andIdonotknowanotherwhosodeservesanexplanationasyou。Youmustpermitmetodoso。Itmaybeofservicetoyou，forIknowNikolasRokoffquitewellenoughtobepositivethatyouhavenotseenthelastofhim。
　　Hewillfindsomemeanstoberevengeduponyou。WhatI
　　wishtotellyoumaybeofaidtoyouincombatinganyschemeofrevengehemayharbor。Icannottellyouhere，buttomorrowIshallbeathometoMonsieurTarzanatfive。"
　　"Itwillbeaneternityuntiltomorrowatfive，"hesaid，ashebadehergoodnight。
　　FromacornerofthetheaterRokoffandPaulvitchsawMonsieurTarzanintheboxoftheCountessdeCoude，andbothmensmiled。
　　Atfour—thirtythefollowingafternoonaswarthy，beardedmanrangthebellattheservants’entranceofthepalaceoftheCountdeCoude。Thefootmanwhoopenedthedoorraisedhiseyebrowsinrecognitionashesawwhostoodwithout。
　　Alowconversationpassedbetweenthetwo。
　　Atfirstthefootmandemurredfromsomepropositionthatthebeardedonemade，butaninstantlatersomethingpassedfromthehandofthecallertothehandoftheservant。Thenthelatterturnedandledthevisitorbyaroundaboutwaytoalittlecurtainedalcoveofftheapartmentinwhichthecountesswaswonttoserveteaofanafternoon。
　　AhalfhourlaterTarzanwasusheredintotheroom，andpresentlyhishostessentered，smiling，andwithoutstretchedhands。
　　"Iamsogladthatyoucame，"shesaid。
　　"Nothingcouldhaveprevented，"hereplied。
　　Forafewmomentstheyspokeoftheopera，ofthetopicsthatwerethenoccupyingtheattentionofParis，ofthepleasureofrenewingtheirbriefacquaintancewhichhadhaditsinceptionundersuchoddcircumstances，andthisbroughtthemtothesubjectthatwasuppermostinthemindsofboth。
　　"Youmusthavewondered，"saidthecountessfinally，"whattheobjectofRokoff’spersecutioncouldbe。Itisverysimple。
　　Thecountisintrustedwithmanyofthevitalsecretsoftheministryofwar。Heoftenhasinhispossessionpapersthatforeignpowerswouldgiveafortunetopossess——secretsofstatethattheiragentswouldcommitmurderandworsethanmurdertolearn。
　　"ThereissuchamatternowinhispossessionthatwouldmakethefameandfortuneofanyRussianwhocoulddivulgeittohisgovernment。RokoffandPaulvitchareRussianspies。Theywillstopatnothingtoprocurethisinformation。Theaffairontheliner——Imeanthematterofthecardgame——wasforthepurposeofblackmailingtheknowledgetheyseekfrommyhusband。
　　"Hadhebeenconvictedofcheatingatcards，hiscareerwouldhavebeenblighted。Hewouldhavehadtoleavethewardepartment。Hewouldhavebeensociallyostracized。
　　Theyintendedtoholdthiscluboverhim——thepriceofanavowalontheirpartthatthecountwasbutthevictimoftheplotofenemieswhowishedtobesmirchhisnamewastohavebeenthepaperstheyseek。
　　"Youthwartedtheminthis。Thentheyconcoctedtheschemewherebymyreputationwastobetheprice，insteadofthecount’s。WhenPaulvitchenteredmycabinheexplainedittome。IfIwouldobtaintheinformationforthemhepromisedtogonofarther，otherwiseRokoff，whostoodwithout，wastonotifythepurserthatIwasentertainingamanotherthanmyhusbandbehindthelockeddoorsofmycabin。Hewastotelleveryonehemetontheboat，andwhenwelandedhewastohavegiventhewholestorytothenewspapermen。
　　"Wasitnottoohorrible？ButIhappenedtoknowsomethingofMonsieurPaulvitchthatwouldsendhimtothegallowsinRussiaifitwereknownbythepoliceofSt。Petersburg。
　　Idaredhimtocarryouthisplan，andthenIleanedtowardhimandwhisperedanameinhisear。Likethat"——andshesnappedherfingers——"heflewatmythroatasamadman。
　　Hewouldhavekilledmehadyounotinterfered。"
　　"Thebrutes！"mutteredTarzan。
　　"Theyareworsethanthat，myfriend，"shesaid。
　　"Theyaredevils。Ifearforyoubecauseyouhavegainedtheirhatred。Iwishyoutobeonyourguardconstantly。
　　Tellmethatyouwill，formysake，forIshouldneverforgivemyselfshouldyousufferthroughthekindnessyoudidme。"
　　"Idonotfearthem，"hereplied。"IhavesurvivedgrimmerenemiesthanRokoffandPaulvitch。"HesawthatsheknewnothingoftheoccurrenceintheRueMaule，nordidhementionit，fearingthatitmightdistressher。
　　"Foryourownsafety，"hecontinued，"whydoyounotturnthescoundrelsovertotheauthorities？Theyshouldmakequickworkofthem。"
　　Shehesitatedforamomentbeforereplying。
　　"Therearetworeasons，"shesaidfinally。"Oneofthemitisthatkeepsthecountfromdoingthatverything。
　　Theother，myrealreasonforfearingtoexposethem，Ihavenevertold——onlyRokoffandIknowit。Iwonder，"andthenshepaused，lookingintentlyathimforalongtime。
　　"Andwhatdoyouwonder？"heasked，smiling。
　　"IwaswonderingwhyitisthatIwanttotellyouthethingthatIhavenotdaredtelleventomyhusband。
　　Ibelievethatyouwouldunderstand，andthatyoucouldtellmetherightcoursetofollow。Ibelievethatyouwouldnotjudgemetooharshly。"
　　"IfearthatIshouldproveaverypoorjudge，madame，"
　　Tarzanreplied，"forifyouhadbeenguiltyofmurderI
　　shouldsaythatthevictimshouldbegratefultohavemetsosweetafate。"
　　"Oh，dear，no，"sheexpostulated;"itisnotsoterribleasthat。
　　Butfirstletmetellyouthereasonthecounthasfornotprosecutingthesemen;then，ifIcanholdmycourage，I
　　shalltellyoutherealreasonthatIdarenot。ThefirstisthatNikolasRokoffismybrother。WeareRussians。
　　NikolashasbeenabadmansinceIcanremember。HewascashieredfromtheRussianarmy，inwhichheheldacaptaincy。
　　Therewasascandalforatime，butafterawhileitwaspartiallyforgotten，andmyfatherobtainedapositionforhiminthesecretservice。
　　"TherehavebeenmanyterriblecrimeslaidatNikolas’door，buthehasalwaysmanagedtoescapepunishment。Oflatehehasaccomplisheditbytrumped—upevidenceconvictinghisvictimsoftreasonagainsttheczar，andtheRussianpolice，whoarealwaysonlytooreadytofastenguiltofthisnatureuponanyandall，haveacceptedhisversionandexoneratedhim。"
　　"Havenothisattemptedcrimesagainstyouandyourhusbandforfeitedwhateverrightsthebondsofkinshipmighthaveaccordedhim？"askedTarzan。"Thefactthatyouarehissisterhasnotdeterredhimfromseekingtobesmirchyourhonor。
　　Youowehimnoloyalty，madame。"
　　"Ah，butthereisthatotherreason。IfIowehimnoloyaltythoughhebemybrother，IcannotsoeasilydisavowthefearIholdhiminbecauseofacertainepisodeinmylifeofwhichheiscognizant。
　　"Imightaswelltellyouall，"sheresumedafterapause，"forIseethatitisinmyhearttotellyousoonerorlater。
　　Iwaseducatedinaconvent。WhilethereImetamanwhomIsupposedtobeagentleman。Iknewlittleornothingaboutmenandlessaboutlove。IgotitintomyfoolishheadthatIlovedthisman，andathisurgentrequestIranawaywithhim。
　　Weweretohavebeenmarried。
　　"Iwaswithhimjustthreehours。Allinthedaytimeandinpublicplaces——railroadstationsanduponatrain。
　　Whenwereachedourdestinationwhereweweretohavebeenmarried，twoofficerssteppeduptomyescortaswedescendedfromthetrain，andplacedhimunderarrest。Theytookmealso，butwhenIhadtoldmystorytheydidnotdetainme，otherthantosendmebacktotheconventunderthecareofamatron。Itseemedthatthemanwhohadwooedmewasnogentlemanatall，butadeserterfromthearmyaswellasafugitivefromciviljustice。HehadapolicerecordinnearlyeverycountryinEurope。
　　"Thematterwashushedupbytheauthoritiesoftheconvent。
　　Notevenmyparentsknewofit。ButNikolasmetthemanafterward，andlearnedthewholestory。NowhethreatenstotellthecountifIdonotdojustashewishesmeto。"
　　Tarzanlaughed。"Youarestillbutalittlegirl。Thestorythatyouhavetoldmecannotreflectinanywayuponyourreputation，andwereyounotalittlegirlatheartyouwouldknowit。Gotoyourhusbandtonight，andtellhimthewholestory，justasyouhavetoldittome。UnlessIammuchmistakenhewilllaughatyouforyourfears，andtakeimmediatestepstoputthatpreciousbrotherofyoursinprisonwherehebelongs。"
　　"IonlywishthatIdared，"shesaid;"butIamafraid。
　　Ilearnedearlytofearmen。Firstmyfather，thenNikolas，thenthefathersintheconvent。Nearlyallmyfriendsfeartheirhusbands——whyshouldInotfearmine？"
　　"Itdoesnotseemrightthatwomenshouldfearmen，"
　　saidTarzan，anexpressionofpuzzlementonhisface。
　　"Iambetteracquaintedwiththejunglefolk，andthereitismoreoftentheotherwayaround，exceptamongtheblackmen，andtheytomymindareinmostwayslowerinthescalethanthebeasts。No，Icannotunderstandwhycivilizedwomenshouldfearmen，thebeingsthatarecreatedtoprotectthem。
　　Ishouldhatetothinkthatanywomanfearedme。"
　　"Idonotthinkthatanywomanwouldfearyou，myfriend，"
　　saidOlgadeCoudesoftly。"Ihaveknownyoubutashortwhile，yetthoughitmayseemfoolishtosayit，youaretheonlymanIhaveeverknownwhomIthinkthatIshouldneverfear——itisstrange，too，foryouareverystrong。
　　IwonderedattheeasewithwhichyouhandledNikolasandPaulvitchthatnightinmycabin。Itwasmarvellous。"
　　AsTarzanwasleavingherashorttimelaterhewonderedalittleattheclingingpressureofherhandatparting，andthefirminsistencewithwhichsheexactedapromisefromhimthathewouldcallagainonthemorrow。
　　Thememoryofherhalf—veiledeyesandperfectlipsasshehadstoodsmilingupintohisfaceashebadehergood—byremainedwithhimforthebalanceoftheday。OlgadeCoudewasaverybeautifulwoman，andTarzanoftheApesaverylonelyyoungman，withaheartinhimthatwasinneedofthedoctoringthatonlyawomanmayprovide。
　　AsthecountessturnedbackintotheroomafterTarzan’sdeparture，shefoundherselffacetofacewithNikolasRokoff。
　　"Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？"shecried，shrinkingawayfromhim。
　　"Sincebeforeyourlovercame，"heanswered，withanastyleer。
　　"Stop！"shecommanded。"Howdareyousaysuchathingtome——yoursister！"
　　"Well，mydearOlga，ifheisnotyourlover，acceptmyapologies;butitisnofaultofyoursthatheisnot。
　　Hadheone—tenththeknowledgeofwomenthatIhaveyouwouldbeinhisarmsthisminute。Heisastupidfool，Olga。
　　Why，youreverywordandactwasanopeninvitationtohim，andhehadnotthesensetoseeit。"
　　Thewomanputherhandstoherears。
　　"Iwillnotlisten。Youarewickedtosaysuchthingsasthat。
　　Nomatterwhatyoumaythreatenmewith，youknowthatI
　　amagoodwoman。Aftertonightyouwillnotdaretoannoyme，forIshalltellRaoulall。Hewillunderstand，andthen，MonsieurNikolas，beware！"
　　"Youshalltellhimnothing，"saidRokoff。"Ihavethisaffairnow，andwiththehelpofoneofyourservantswhomImaytrustitwilllacknothinginthetellingwhenthetimecomesthatthedetailsoftheswornevidenceshallbepouredintoyourhusband’sears。Theotheraffairserveditspurposewell——wenowhavesomethingtangibletoworkon，Olga。ArealAFFAIR——
　　andyouatrustedwife。Shame，Olga，"andthebrutelaughed。
　　Sothecountesstoldhercountnothing，andmatterswereworsethantheyhadbeen。Fromavaguefearhermindwastransferredtoaverytangibleone。Itmaybe，too，thatconsciencehelpedtoenlargeitoutofallproportion。
　　Chapter5
　　ThePlotThatFailedForamonthTarzanwasaregularandverywelcomedevoteeattheshrineofthebeautifulCountessdeCoude。
　　Oftenhemetothermembersoftheselectlittlecoteriethatdroppedinforteaofanafternoon。MoreoftenOlgafounddevicesthatwouldgiveheranhourofTarzanalone。
　　ForatimeshehadbeenfrightenedbywhatNikolashadinsinuated。Shehadnotthoughtofthisbig，youngmanasanythingmorethanfriend，butwiththesuggestionimplantedbytheevilwordsofherbrothershehadgrowntospeculatemuchuponthestrangeforcewhichseemedtoattracthertowardthegray—eyedstranger。Shedidnotwishtolovehim，nordidshewishhislove。
　　Shewasmuchyoungerthanherhusband，andwithouthavingrealizeditshehadbeencravingthehavenofafriendshipwithonenearerherownage。Twentyisshyinexchangingconfidenceswithforty。Tarzanwasbuttwoyearshersenior。Hecouldunderstandher，shefelt。Thenhewascleanandhonorableandchivalrous。Shewasnotafraidofhim。Thatshecouldtrusthimshehadfeltinstinctivelyfromthefirst。
　　FromadistanceRokoffhadwatchedthisgrowingintimacywithmaliciousglee。EversincehehadlearnedthatTarzanknewthathewasaRussianspytherehadbeenaddedtohishatredfortheape—managreatfearthathewouldexposehim。Hewasbutwaitingnowuntilthemomentwaspropitiousforamasterstroke。HewantedtoridhimselfforeverofTarzan，andatthesametimereapanamplerevengeforthehumiliationsanddefeatsthathehadsufferedathishands。
　　TarzanwasnearertocontentmentthanhehadbeensincethepeaceandtranquilityofhisjunglehadbeenbrokeninuponbytheadventofthemaroonedPorterparty。HeenjoyedthepleasantsocialintercoursewithOlga’sfriends，whilethefriendshipwhichhadsprungupbetweenthefaircountessandhimselfwasasourceofnever—endingdelight。Itbrokeinuponanddispersedhisgloomythoughts，andservedasabalmtohislaceratedheart。
　　SometimesD’ArnotaccompaniedhimonhisvisitstotheDeCoudehome，forhehadlongknownbothOlgaandthecount。OccasionallyDeCoudedroppedin，butthemultitudinousaffairsofhisofficialpositionandthenever—endingdemandsofpoliticskepthimfromhomeusuallyuntillateatnight。