"If I know, why should I tell! If they know, why should they tell?
Suppose that some of it were in Congo territory, and some in British East Africa?
Suppose they should want to get the lot?
What then?
If they uncovered their bit in German East Africa mightn't that put the Congo and the British on the trail ?" "If they know where it is," said I, "they'll certainly guard it." "Which of you is the lord ?" demanded Coutlass earnestly.
"What do you suppose Hassan is doing, then, here in Zanzibar ?" asked Fred.
"Rum and eggs! I know what he is doing! When I snapped my thumb under his fat nose and told him about the habits of his female ancestors be went to the Germans and informed against me! The sneak-thief! The turn-coat! The maggot! I shall not forget! I, Georges Coutlass, forget nothing! He informed against me, and they set askaris* on my trail who prevented me from making further search.

I had to sit idle in Usumbura or Ujiji, or else come away; and idleness ill suits my blood! I came here, and Hassan followed me.

The Germans made a regular, salaried spy of him--the semi-Arab rat! The one-tenth Arab, nine-tenths mud-rat! Here he stays in Zanzibar and spies on Tippoo Tib, on me, on the British government, and on every stranger who comes here.

His information goes to the Germans.

I know, for I intercepted some of it! He writes it out in Arabic, and provided no woman goes through the folds of his clothes or feels under that silken belly-piece be wears, the Germans get it.