The Return of Tarzan

The Return of Tarzan picks up where Tarzan of the Apes left off. Tarzan, having renounced his inheritance and his love for Jane Porter, returns to the African jungle. However, his brief exposure to civilization has made him crave companionship, and he finds himself disillusioned with the idea of returning to a solitary life. He sails for Europe, but on the ship, he encounters Count Raoul de Coude and his young wife, Olga. Tarzan thwarts an assassination attempt on the Count orchestrated by Nikolas Rokoff, a Russian scoundrel with whom Olga has a complicated past. Tarzan's interference embroils him further in European affairs when he visits Paris. He becomes acquainted with Lieutenant D'Arnot and navigates the dangerous underworld, even crossing paths with Rokoff again and escaping Parisian police after a violent encounter. Olga de Coude, grateful for Tarzan's help, reveals Rokoff's espionage activities and his blackmail attempts on her husband. Meanwhile, back in America, Jane Porter is preparing to marry William Cecil Clayton, Lord Greystoke, who knows Tarzan's true identity but, fearing Tarzan's claim to his title and estates, keeps silent. Tarzan eventually accepts a position with the French Ministry of War, which leads him on a mission to Algeria. There, he uncovers a spy ring involving Lieutenant Gernois and Rokoff. His mission takes him through various encounters, including a fight with a black lion, eluding pursuers, and ultimately discovering a lost city of gold inhabited by a degenerate race descended from ancient sun worshippers. He rescues Jane Porter, who had been captured by these people and was about to be sacrificed, and together they journey back to the Waziri tribe, where Tarzan is hailed as their king. The novel concludes with Tarzan, Jane, and Clayton returning to civilization, with Tarzan finally accepting his birthright and marrying Jane, while Clayton, though aware of Tarzan's true identity, remains silent about it.