14. SAHARA ADVENTURE SERIES — DUNES OF DESOLATION
Madame Denise Ormonde, the beautiful wife of Pierre, a prominent geologist, finds herself alone in a remote Sahara camp. She is content with her luxurious, secluded life while awaiting Pierre’s return from his oil expedition. Her tranquility is shattered by the sudden appearance of an unknown, menacing man in her room. He is filthy, with a wild beard, and wears the uniform of the French Foreign Legion. The intruder, apparently crazed, desires her. After a violent struggle, during which Denise defends herself with furniture and a revolver, she shoots him.
Teuns Stegmann, a tall South African and Legionnaire, plays a pivotal role as the leader of a small, secret mission to rescue Madame Ormonde. Along with Fritz Mundt, Podolski, Jack Ritchie, and Petacci, they are chosen for their bravery and knowledge of the Sahara. D’Arlan orchestrates the plan, suspecting that Koebikof, a cruel Russian and enemy of the Legion, is behind the attack on Pierre’s camp. Through treachery, clever stratagems, and unexpected turns, Teuns leads his team through the perilous “Dunes of Death,” where even experienced travellers sometimes lose their way. Tension mounts as they attempt to outwit the kidnappers, who also wear Legion uniforms, and free Madame Ormonde.
Teuns intends to mislead the kidnappers by pretending they are lost Legionnaires. With inventive plans, such as replacing the jeep’s water with petrol, he tries to buy time and confuse the enemy. Teuns, with his strong leadership and tactical thinking, continually attempts to outsmart Dwinihof and force him to reveal his secrets. Dwinihof suspects Teuns possesses a valuable geological map that he desperately wants to acquire. Teuns plans to use this map not only to rescue Madame Ormonde but also to defuse a greater threat. However, the true danger lies not only in the enemy but also in the unpredictable “Dunes of Death.” Is the map the key to survival, or the cause of their downfall?
