With a demi-volt or backward somersault it hurled itself into the jungle whence it had come with a terrific roar of alarm, and its tail--undoubtedly though not evidently--between its legs! Heaving a deep, long-drawn sigh, the professor stood up and wiped his forehead.

Then he listened intently.
"A shote, if mine ears deceive me not!" he said, and listened again.
He was right.

Another shot, much nearer, was heard, and he replied with a shout to which joy as much as strength of lung gave fervour.

Hurrying along the track--not without occasional side-glances at the jungle--the hero was soon again in the midst of his friends; and it was not until his eyes refused to remain open any longer that he ceased to entertain an admiring circle that night with the details of his face-to-face meeting with a tiger.
But Verkimier's anticipations in regard to that paradise were not to be realised.

The evil passions of a wicked man, with whom he had personally nothing whatever to do, interfered with his plans.