While hastened away toward the tent shared by the two others, Bob and Frank made their way toward where a blazing camp fire marked the encampment of the seventy-five bearers.  
Few of the latter could be seen, not more than a dozen. Could the others have decamped? Had they, perhaps, departed with Mabele? The boys hurried forward, alarm knocking within. But when one of the dozen blacks outstretched near the fire got to his feet on being addressed in the bush English of which all had a smattering, he informed Bob that his comrades had gone to the village to participate in the celebration.
 
As that was to be expected, Bob’s anxieties in a measure . But when he asked whether Mabele had accompanied the party the man shook his head in denial.
 
“Mabele him not go ’long,” he said. “No see Mabele long time.”
 
Quick of the recumbent figures showed Mabele not of the number, and convinced nothing as to his whereabouts was to be learned of their informant the boys turned away. As they passed near the boxes and bales of supplies and of equipment of one sort or another, over which were to protect them from storms, Frank was seized with an idea.
 
Halting, he laid a hand on Bob’s arm.
 
“Have we ever used the spare radio transmitting on this trip out from Kisumu?” he demanded.
 
Bob scratched his head.
 
“I don’t know. Seems to me the last time we had occasion to use it was when our raft grounded on that island in the river. And that was before we reached Kisumu.”
 
“That’s my recollection, too,” said Frank, in a tone of satisfaction. “Come on, let’s find Mr. Hampton and the others.”
 
He started forward again, and as Bob fell into pace beside him, making for their tent before which they could observe a bobbing lantern in the grip of an unseen hand, Bob demanded:
 
“What made you ask that about the spare radio?”
 
“Oh, I just thought that if we hadn’t ever it, Mabele wouldn’t know it was there.”
 
“Right,” said Bob, comprehension dawning. “In that case, we won’t be hamstrung.”
 
They were close enough now to see the lantern was borne by Jack and that Mr. Hampton and Niellsen accompanied him.
 
“Did you find him?” asked Jack as they approached.
 
“No,” answered Frank, “nor did we find many of the bearers. Most of them have gone to the village to take part in the celebration.”
 
Mr. Hampton . “I had expressly forbidden Mabele to let the men depart,” he said. “The violated my orders in order to have a clear field for his operations.”
 
Passing inside the tent, Mr. Hampton and Niellsen took their turn at staring at the spot where the radio apparatus had stood, as if by the fact of their glances they could it back into place.
 
“Then you, too, believe it was Mabele, Mr. Hampton?” asked Bob.
 
The older man nodded.
 
“I hardly knew what I suspected when he appeared at the tent today and it seemed likely he had overheard what was being said. But this has clarified my suspicions. He’s a shrewd one, a man as I said of superior parts. I am of the opinion now that he’s in the pay of the trouble-makers in this part of the world, be they German or what. Doubtless he thought that by taking the radio apparatus he could cut us oft from communication with Ransome.”
 
“And at the same time, perhaps, communicate with his confederates,” suggested Frank.
 
“It’s a serious loss, all right enough,” said Mr. Hampton. “And, furthermore, by allowing the bearers to attend the village celebration he increases his opportunity for escape. The villagers will be pretty loggy in the morning, and in no condition to help us pick up Mabele’s trail. And now the bearers will be the same. He will be able to get a good start.”
 
Sinking into a camp chair, he stared contemplatively at the ground, and the others respected his silence.
 
“Moreover,” he resumed, “we have no means now of notifying Ransome that Mabele stands betrayed in his true light. The rascal can get to Entebbe ahead of us in the assurance that we have no way of informing on him. And he may be able to cause no end of trouble.”
 
Frank stepped forward eagerly.
 
“But, Mr. Hampton, we have the spare radio packed away. We haven’t used it for so long a time that it’s no wonder you have forgotten about it. But that’s probably our . For we haven’t used it at any time during Mabele’s connection with our party, and so it’s unlikely that he knew we had it.”
 
“Good for you, Frank,” said Mr. Hampton, jumping up, the lines of worry disappearing as if by magic. “Let’s have a look. Bring that lantern. Jack, and we’ll investigate.”
 
Forebearing to summon any of the bearers to aid them, the boys themselves the heap of supply cases and from the midst pulled the familiar case enclosing the spare transmitting set. Many were their expressions of satisfaction.
 
Carrying it back to the tent, they opened it up. All the parts were complete. And in another and smaller case was packed the aerial. Assembling and setting up would be a short enough matter,............