Chapter Six.

Chapter Six.A Vain Search.West saw at once upon entering the presence of the principals that things appeared bad for Anson, who stood facing a table at which three of the directors of the great company were seated, all looking very stern. They signed to Ingleborough and West to stand upon their right—Anson was facing them to the left.Then there was a brief colloquy in a low tone between the three directors, ending in one of them saying aloud: “You speak.”The gentleman thus addressed turned to Ingleborough.“Mr Anson has sought this interview with the directors, Mr Ingleborough, to inform us that you have made up a malicious tale about his having been engaged in illicit-diamond-buying. Of course, if you could prove such a charge, it was your duty to inform us.”“Of course, sir,” replied Ingleborough; “but, though I have for some time suspected him, this affair only occurred during our tiffin-time this morning, and as soon as we returned to the office I felt bound to accuse him as my fellow-clerk, and tell him what I intended to do.”“So as to give him, if guilty, a good chance to conceal the diamonds or escape?”“Oh no, sir,” said Ingleborough quietly. “I took proper precautions against that.”“Indeed?” said the director. “What did you do?”“Mr Superintendent Norton is a friend of mine, sir, and I went to him at once. He and two of his keenest men have been carefully watching Anson ever since.”“Humph! Quite right,” said the director, and he glanced at Anson, who was smiling contemptuously then; but West had seen him wince sharply when Ingleborough mentioned the superintendent’s name. “Well,” continued the director, “let us hear your version of this business.”“Really, gentlemen,” cried Anson, “I ought to have the assistance of a law officer and—”“Stop, Mr Anson,” said the director sharply; “we have heard you all through. Have the goodness to be silent now while Mr Ingleborough gives us his statement.”“But legal assistance, sir.”“You can have as much as you like, sir, as soon as the matter is brought before the magistrates. We must first of all hear what Mr Ingleborough has to say. Now, sir, have the goodness to tell us everything you know about this business.”Ingleborough made his statement perfectly clearly, and it was listened to in silence, and the diamonds were produced.Afterwards the three directors spoke together in a low tone of voice for a few minutes, ending by turning to Anson to tell him that he must consider himself for the present as suspended from all further duty in connection with the company’s business.“We have no desire to proceed to extremities, Mr Anson,” he said in conclusion, “and every opportunity will be given you to clear yourself; but in the meantime you must consider yourself under supervision, and your lodgings will be searched.”“I protest, sir,” cried the young man warmly. “You have no right to order such a thing to be done without magisterial authority.”“Then we will assume the right, Mr Anson, as it is a question of our property being stolen by our black employés and finding a purchaser in one of our clerks. Mr West, as the superintendent is keeping an eye upon Anson, I presume he is here?”“I passed him at the door as I came in, sir,” answered West.“Have the goodness to call him in.”Anson winced; but he faced the tall stern-looking officer of police as he entered and heard the reason for his being called in.“Then you wish a search to be made, gentlemen?” said the superintendent.“Certainly.”“Look here,” cried Anson fiercely; “there’s law for everybody. I’m not your servant any longer, for I refuse to stay with such a pack of tyrannical dividend-making scoundrels.”“That will do,” growled the superintendent, in a low, deep voice. “Keep a civil tongue in your head. You’ll do no good for yourself by this.”“You mind your own business,” cried Anson, turning upon the officer so fiercely that West wondered at the change in his fellow-clerk’s manner.“All right: I will,” said the officer, seizing him sharply.“Here, what are you going to do?” cried Anson, in alarm.“Search you, my lad,” was the reply.“Then I call everyone present to witness that this is illegal. I’m not going to stand quietly by and be treated like a worm.”“Leave off wriggling, then,” said the officer.“I won’t. I refuse to be treated like one of the black labourers.”“Look here, sir,” said the officer sternly; “I don’t want to treat you like a Kaffir unless you behave like one. You are charged with illicit buying, and your game’s up; so the best thing you can do is to produce everything you have on you and have done with the matter.”“Search me if you dare,” cried Anson, still keeping up his defiant manner.“Right: I dare,” said the officer. “Mr Ingleborough, be ready to lend a hand if I want it.”“If John Ingleborough dares to lay a hand on me I’ll send a bullet through him.”In an instant Ingleborough’s hand came down heavily upon Anson’s shoulder and gripped him fast.“Never mind him, Norton. It’s all bluff. He is unarmed.”“Armed or unarmed,” said the superintendent, “I’m going to search him,” and directly after a quick pair of hands were busy going through the suspect’s pockets.“Urrr!” he growled, showing his white teeth between his thick red lips, as he cast off thoroughly the mask of servile humility he had previously worn; “it’s lucky for you that I am unarmed. But search away. Go on. I’ll have heavy damages for this dastardly assault and defamation of character, and the public shall know all about the games carried on by this beautiful diamond syndicate. Curse you all—masters and men! You shall pay for it, and, as for you, John Ingleborough, look out for yourself. Yes, and you too, Oliver West, you miserable sneak. I always hated you.”“Hadn’t you better save your breath, Anson?” said West quietly. “You’re only making everybody believe you guilty.”“Let ’em,” cried the suspect, whose plump round face was now distorted with impotent rage. “I’ll be even with all of you for this.”“Humph! Nothing in his pockets; nothing sewn in the seams of his clothes, nor in the band of his trousers,” muttered the searcher. Then aloud: “Now then, hold up!”Anson behaved like a horse, or, as West and Ingleborough afterwards laughingly said, like an ass, lifting to order each foot in turn for the bottoms of his trousers to be examined and the heels of his boots, which had not been bored nor plugged.“He has nothing upon him, gentlemen,” said the officer, at last.“But you have not thoroughly searched him,” said one of the directors, frowning.“Oh yes, sir,” replied the officer; “a party like this wouldn’t carry diamonds about him same as a Kaffir would. He wouldn’t play any tricks with his person by slitting or swallowing: he knows too much about the risks. You can be perfectly satisfied that he has nothing about him. I was, as soon as I had turned out his pockets.”“They’ll be satisfied before they’ve done,” sneered Anson.“I should like to see his desk and stool in the office where he has worked, gentlemen,” continued the officer.“Yah!” snarled Anson. “Yes: go on; search everywhere. Perhaps you’d like to search the place where I lodge?”“Afterwards,” said the officer quietly.

West saw at once upon entering the presence of the principals that things appeared bad for Anson, who stood facing a table at which three of the directors of the great company were seated, all looking very stern. They signed to Ingleborough and West to stand upon their right—Anson was facing them to the left.

Then there was a brief colloquy in a low tone between the three directors, ending in one of them saying aloud: “You speak.”

The gentleman thus addressed turned to Ingleborough.

“Mr Anson has sought this interview with the directors, Mr Ingleborough, to inform us that you have made up a malicious tale about his having been engaged in illicit-diamond-buying. Of course, if you could prove such a charge, it was your duty to inform us.”

“Of course, sir,” replied Ingleborough; “but, though I have for some time suspected him, this affair only occurred during our tiffin-time this morning, and as soon as we returned to the office I felt bound to accuse him as my fellow-clerk, and tell him what I intended to do.”

“So as to give him, if guilty, a good chance to conceal the diamonds or escape?”

“Oh no, sir,” said Ingleborough quietly. “I took proper precautions against that.”

“Indeed?” said the director. “What did you do?”

“Mr Superintendent Norton is a friend of mine, sir, and I went to him at once. He and two of his keenest men have been carefully watching Anson ever since.”

“Humph! Quite right,” said the director, and he glanced at Anson, who was smiling contemptuously then; but West had seen him wince sharply when Ingleborough mentioned the superintendent’s name. “Well,” continued the director, “let us hear your version of this business.”

“Really, gentlemen,” cried Anson, “I ought to have the assistance of a law officer and—”

“Stop, Mr Anson,” said the director sharply; “we have heard you all through. Have the goodness to be silent now while Mr Ingleborough gives us his statement.”

“But legal assistance, sir.”

“You can have as much as you like, sir, as soon as the matter is brought before the magistrates. We must first of all hear what Mr Ingleborough has to say. Now, sir, have the goodness to tell us everything you know about this business.”

Ingleborough made his statement perfectly clearly, and it was listened to in silence, and the diamonds were produced.

Afterwards the three directors spoke together in a low tone of voice for a few minutes, ending by turning to Anson to tell him that he must consider himself for the present as suspended from all further duty in connection with the company’s business.

“We have no desire to proceed to extremities, Mr Anson,” he said in conclusion, “and every opportunity will be given you to clear yourself; but in the meantime you must consider yourself under supervision, and your lodgings will be searched.”

“I protest, sir,” cried the young man warmly. “You have no right to order such a thing to be done without magisterial authority.”

“Then we will assume the right, Mr Anson, as it is a question of our property being stolen by our black employés and finding a purchaser in one of our clerks. Mr West, as the superintendent is keeping an eye upon Anson, I presume he is here?”

“I passed him at the door as I came in, sir,” answered West.

“Have the goodness to call him in.”

Anson winced; but he faced the tall stern-looking officer of police as he entered and heard the reason for his being called in.

“Then you wish a search to be made, gentlemen?” said the superintendent.

“Certainly.”

“Look here,” cried Anson fiercely; “there’s law for everybody. I’m not your servant any longer, for I refuse to stay with such a pack of tyrannical dividend-making scoundrels.”

“That will do,” growled the superintendent, in a low, deep voice. “Keep a civil tongue in your head. You’ll do no good for yourself by this.”

“You mind your own business,” cried Anson, turning upon the officer so fiercely that West wondered at the change in his fellow-clerk’s manner.

“All right: I will,” said the officer, seizing him sharply.

“Here, what are you going to do?” cried Anson, in alarm.

“Search you, my lad,” was the reply.

“Then I call everyone present to witness that this is illegal. I’m not going to stand quietly by and be treated like a worm.”

“Leave off wriggling, then,” said the officer.

“I won’t. I refuse to be treated like one of the black labourers.”

“Look here, sir,” said the officer sternly; “I don’t want to treat you like a Kaffir unless you behave like one. You are charged with illicit buying, and your game’s up; so the best thing you can do is to produce everything you have on you and have done with the matter.”

“Search me if you dare,” cried Anson, still keeping up his defiant manner.

“Right: I dare,” said the officer. “Mr Ingleborough, be ready to lend a hand if I want it.”

“If John Ingleborough dares to lay a hand on me I’ll send a bullet through him.”

In an instant Ingleborough’s hand came down heavily upon Anson’s shoulder and gripped him fast.

“Never mind him, Norton. It’s all bluff. He is unarmed.”

“Armed or unarmed,” said the superintendent, “I’m going to search him,” and directly after a quick pair of hands were busy going through the suspect’s pockets.

“Urrr!” he growled, showing his white teeth between his thick red lips, as he cast off thoroughly the mask of servile humility he had previously worn; “it’s lucky for you that I am unarmed. But search away. Go on. I’ll have heavy damages for this dastardly assault and defamation of character, and the public shall know all about the games carried on by this beautiful diamond syndicate. Curse you all—masters and men! You shall pay for it, and, as for you, John Ingleborough, look out for yourself. Yes, and you too, Oliver West, you miserable sneak. I always hated you.”

“Hadn’t you better save your breath, Anson?” said West quietly. “You’re only making everybody believe you guilty.”

“Let ’em,” cried the suspect, whose plump round face was now distorted with impotent rage. “I’ll be even with all of you for this.”

“Humph! Nothing in his pockets; nothing sewn in the seams of his clothes, nor in the band of his trousers,” muttered the searcher. Then aloud: “Now then, hold up!”

Anson behaved like a horse, or, as West and Ingleborough afterwards laughingly said, like an ass, lifting to order each foot in turn for the bottoms of his trousers to be examined and the heels of his boots, which had not been bored nor plugged.

“He has nothing upon him, gentlemen,” said the officer, at last.

“But you have not thoroughly searched him,” said one of the directors, frowning.

“Oh yes, sir,” replied the officer; “a party like this wouldn’t carry diamonds about him same as a Kaffir would. He wouldn’t play any tricks with his person by slitting or swallowing: he knows too much about the risks. You can be perfectly satisfied that he has nothing about him. I was, as soon as I had turned out his pockets.”

“They’ll be satisfied before they’ve done,” sneered Anson.

“I should like to see his desk and stool in the office where he has worked, gentlemen,” continued the officer.

“Yah!” snarled Anson. “Yes: go on; search everywhere. Perhaps you’d like to search the place where I lodge?”

“Afterwards,” said the officer quietly.

Chapter Seven.Anson Rebounds.West saw his fellow-clerk wince slightly again, though it passed unnoticed by the others, and directly after the whole party adjourned to the office, the superintendent’s men following them, and, without doing anything to excite attention, forming a guard at the door.“There’s nothing here,” said the superintendent in a low tone to Ingleborough and West.“How do you know?” said the former.“By his manner. He’s all brag and bounce!”“Yes,” said Ingleborough; “but you don’t know your man.”“Look here!” cried Anson; “none of that! Search if you like, but no plotting and planning there! I don’t see why they shouldn’t be charged too. Search their desks as well as mine. Perhaps you’ll find some illicit-diamonds there.”West started, for a strange suspicion shot through his breast.“If you do they’ll swear I put ’em there, and the superintendent will believe them.”“You scoundrel!” cried West passionately, and Anson uttered a low sneering laugh; but his face grew set directly, as the officer turned upon him.“Which is your desk, sir?” he said sharply.“Search them all!” was the reply.“Which is his desk?” said the superintendent to West now.The young man made no reply, and Ingleborough pointed it out.“Friends and brother-workers!” said Anson, in a sneering manner. “Look here, noble employers, play fair! Let’s have all the desks and the whole place searched.”No one spoke, and after a cursory examination of the tall stool in front of the desk the officer picked up a thick silver-mounted rattan cane thrust in a stand by the side of the desk in company with three umbrellas.“Yours?” he said, turning to the suspect.“Yes, and one of the umbrellas too. The worst one’s mine. That dandy silk one is West’s. The handles of all three are sure to unscrew and are hollowed out to hold diamonds, no doubt.”“Of course,” said the officer, and after a glance at the umbrellas he turned the thick heavy cane over in his hands, noticing that in addition to a silver cap there was a thick silver ring about six inches from the top.“Oh yes, that’s hollow too,” cried Anson mockingly, “and stuffed full of diamonds, I daresay.—Ah! mind you don’t cut your fingers!”For the officer, as he held the thick cane in both hands, tried to unscrew the top part, thickest by the ring, and, after yielding a little, he gave it a sharp tug, drawing out about a foot of a bright blue damascened sword, and then thrusting it back with an impatient “Pish!”“A sword-stick,” said the officer.“Well, why not?” cried Anson. “I don’t carry a revolver.”The officer thrust the cane into the stand, and then, with Anson watching him keenly, raised the lid of the broad flat desk, turned over some books and papers, measured its depth outside and in to make sure that there was no false bottom, and then brought out the clerk’s little flat mahogany box, Anson grinning sneeringly as the lid was opened and the joints of the flute lay exposed to view.“Now you’ve got ’em, sir!” cried Anson, with a mocking laugh. “Blow through them, and you’ll find it’s all wind.”The superintendent turned the box upside down, and the joints were left upon the top of the desk, except that the top joint with its gaping mouth-hole stuck in the velvet fitting, but looked the most hollow of the set.“There’s nothing here, gentlemen,” said the officer, replacing the other joints and gravely closing the desk.“Oh, nonsense!” cried Anson, jeering. “You haven’t half looked. Perhaps, though, young West has the whole swag in his desk.”“Would you like to examine the other desks, gentlemen?” said the officer.“No, certainly not,” said the leading director sharply; “we have no wish to insult our employés.”“Only one,” snarled Anson. “Do you call this fair play?”West drew a breath full of relief, and glanced at Ingleborough, who made no sign, but stood looking stolidly at the officer.“I’m quite satisfied, gentlemen,” said the latter. “There is nothing here. Do you charge Mr Anson with illicit dealing?”“You have not searched his apartments yet,” said the chief director. “We wish to have further proofs first.”Anson opened his mouth a short distance as his chief spoke, and closed it again with a sharp little snap.“You wish the prisoner’s rooms to be searched then, gentlemen?”“I’m not a prisoner,” cried Anson angrily. “I’ve neither been charged nor taken into custody.”“Certainly!” said the director sternly. “Search Mr Anson’s rooms preliminary to his being charged and taken into custody. Mr West, go in front with the superintendent to show the way. I do not wish to make a procession, to create excitement and make us the observed of all.”“I understand, sir. Mr Anson will walk in advance with me, and you can follow as you please. There is no need for Mr West to walk with us. I know the way!”“Of course!” snarled Anson. “Mr Ingleborough’s doing, I suppose. Then I have been watched.”“Yes, my doing,” said the person named. “As soon as I suspected you of illicit dealing I kept an eye upon you and told Mr Norton here what I thought.”“Cowardly, sneaking cur!” cried Anson, grinding his teeth.“No, sir,” cried the director sternly: “faithful servant of the company.”“Where are your proofs that I am not?” cried Anson fiercely.“Not found yet,” said the officer; “but with all your cunning I daresay we shall trace them.”“Go on,” said Anson. “I’m ready for you.”The next minute the whole party were straggling through the camp-like town towards the outskirts, to gather together at the very ordinary shed-like house of mud wall and fluted corrugated-iron roofing, where the wife of one of the men at the mine stared in wonder at the party, and then looked in awe at her lodger, her eyes very wide open and startled as she grasped what the visit meant.“Oh, Mr Anson, what have you been a-doing of?” she cried, and burst into tears.West looked at the poor woman with a feeling of pity, and then felt disposed to kick Anson for his brutality, for the clerk’s gesture was that of an ill-tempered cur: he literally snapped at her.“Out of the way, you idiot!” he cried, “and let this police-constable and his party come by.”West saw the directors exchange glances before following the superintendent into the little house, leaving the two clerks to the last, the police-constables remaining watchfully at the door.“Master Anson is regularly cutting the ground from under him, Ingle,” said West softly.“Yes: the fool! I take it to be a tacit confession. You don’t think I’ve made a mistake now?”West shook his head and looked distressed, but said nothing.“Of course he’ll never come back to us, and he knows it, or he’d never put on this defiant manner. Hark at him!”For at that moment the object of their thoughts shouted loudly: “Here, you two spies, what are you waiting behind for? Come in and help search the place.”West frowned and hung back, but Ingleborough laid a hand on his shoulder.“Come along,” he said; “you must help me to see it through! It isn’t pleasant, but it’s part of one’s duty.”The next minute they were in Anson’s combined bed and sitting room, a very ordinary-looking place, with the simplest of furniture and plenty of suggestions all round of spots where an ingenious man might have hidden a little fortune in diamonds; for the mud walls were lined with matchboard, the ceiling was of the same material, and then there was the floor, where in any part a board could have been lifted and a receptacle made for the precious crystals, without counting the articles of furniture, including the bedding.“I’m sorry I have no more chairs, gentlemen,” said the tenant banteringly. “Sit on the table, and three of you can make a sofa of the bed. Never mind tumbling it! You’ll do nothing compared to Mr Superintendent Norton when he begins. I say, though, you should have given me notice of all this, and then I’d have had a carpenter here to skin the walls and ceiling so as to have made everything nice and easy for you. I say, Mr Norton, you’ll want a pickaxe and shovel directly, won’t you?”The directors had paid no heed to the speaker’s bantering remarks, but the superintendent was getting hot, tired, and annoyed by the constant chatter of the man he was longing to arrest; and, though he had treated everything so far with calm indifference, his lack of success in his search for something incriminating in such places as experience had taught him were in favour with those who carried on diamond-smuggling began now to tell upon his temper, and he turned sharply upon the speaker: to snap out words which showed that his thoughts ran on all-fours with those of Ingleborough.“Look here, young man!” he said; “I don’t know whether you are aware of it, but you are hard at work building up a black case against yourself, and if you’re not careful you’ll find yourself before long working out your two years as a convict on the Cape Town breakwater.”“I shall!” cried Anson. “What for? Where’s your evidence? You’ve got a jumped-up cock-and-bull story made by a fellow-clerk who says one thing while I say another. You’ve only his word for it. You’ve found no diamonds on me, and you’ve found none in my lodgings.”“Not yet,” said the superintendent meaningly.“Oh, I see! Not yet! Go on, then, pray! I’m not paid by time, so I can afford to lose a few hours. Search away! Perhaps our clever friend Ingleborough can tell you where to look. Perhaps he wouldn’t like to, though. It would hurt his feelings to accuse a brother-clerk of being an illicit trader. But don’t mind me, Ingle. It’s good sport for you. Why don’t you help, and think you’re a good little boy playing at ‘hot boiled beans and very good butter’ again? Now then, Norton’s going across to the other side. You should call out ‘colder’ when he’s going away from the place, and ‘warmer’ when he gets nearer. Then ‘hot,’ and last of all ‘burning.’ Come, keep up the game!”“I should just like to ram that pair of clean socks between your teeth, my fine fellow, and keep it there with a leather strap,” muttered the officer; and, as if about to put his wish into practice, he stooped and picked up the closely rolled-up pair of socks lying with some other articles of attire placed freshly washed upon a shelf by Anson’s landlady.“Now then,” cried Anson boisterously, “cry ‘burning,’ somebody: there must be some diamonds inside that!”The directors frowned, and Ingleborough and West looked on angrily as the officer dashed the soft woollen ball back upon the heap and then went on with his search for nearly an hour.By this time the lookers-on were as much disgusted as the superintendent.“I’m very sorry, gentlemen,” he cried; “but I can do no more. There is nothing else to be done unless we have my men in and regularly strip the wood-work down.”“Oh, pray have them in, then,” cried Anson. “If I were you I’d—”“Silence, sir!” cried the chief director fiercely, and Anson stared. “We have not the slightest doubt of your guilt. Your conduct all through has proved it. That will do, Mr Norton.”“You think the evidence sufficient to justify an arrest, gentlemen?”“We will consult together,” replied the director who had just spoken, “and communicate our decision to you.”“What, aren’t you satisfied yet?” cried Anson mockingly.“Quite,” replied his chief; “and of course, sir, your post is vacant. For the present, Mr Norton, you will keep an eye upon this man, and see that he does not leave the town.”“Unless I’m very much mistaken, sir,” said the superintendent, “neither our friend here nor anyone else will leave Kimberley for some time to come.”“Is it so bad as that?”“Yes, sir. The Boers are gradually closing in, I am told. But I’ll keep an eye on Mr Anson here all the same.”Five minutes later the party were on their way back to the mine buildings, where the first thing that West heard was that the Boers were gathering in great force, and, as far as could be judged, were making the Diamond City their objective.Troubles were gathering fast, and news kept on coming hotter and hotter.West and Ingleborough were back in their places at the office, talking over the war news and mingling with it the scenes they had just gone through.“Norton promised me he’d call in here when he left the governors,” said Ingleborough.“Then he must have forgotten it,” replied West, “for he has been with them quite an hour. I say, I didn’t know that you were such a friend of the superintendent.”“Well, I’m not in the habit of talking much,” said Ingleborough, smiling. “But I do like him; he’s such a straightforward, manly fellow, and I take so much interest in the way he runs down criminals. I often wish I had joined the detectives who have this diamond-smuggling in hand.”“Pst! here he is!” said West quickly, for there were steps outside, and directly after a sharp rap at the door.“May I come in, Ingleborough?”“Yes.Entrez! West said you’d gone.”“Did he? You knew I was not?”Ingleborough nodded.“What have they decided?” he asked.“To let the matter drift for the present: only I’m to keep an eye on the scoundrel. They say that we shall all have our hands full enough directly in strengthening the town, and they’re right. I’m afraid we’re going to have a warm time.”“Think they’ll attack us?” asked West.“Safe to. Now’s the time for you volunteers to show what you’re made of, for I believe that the enemy will make straight for Kimberley. Our getting the diamond-fields has always been a sore point with them, and we shall have our work cut out to save them.”“Yes,” said Ingleborough thoughtfully, “and if I’m not mistaken, you’ll have more cause to watch Anson than for smuggling. He has his knife into the company.”“Exactly,” said Norton; “and if he can make friends with and help the enemy, he will.”“You mean he’ll be a dangerous spy in the camp?” said West excitedly.“That’s it, Mr West; but if he plays that game and is caught his punishment will not be a couple of years on the breakwater.”“No,” said Ingleborough: “the military will deal with him then.”“How?” asked West, whose veins began to tingle and a cold shuddering sensation to run down his spine.“A couple of lines of infantry, a volley of musketry, and—”“Finis,” said the superintendent. “Good day. I don’t wish him any harm; but I feel pretty sure he’ll run straight into some trap. That sort of fellow always does.”The next minute the door had closed upon the superintendent, and the two young men sat thoughtfully looking in each other’s eyes.“Only a few hours ago, and we three were calmly working together,” said West sadly; “and I looked upon Anson as an unsatisfactory fellow whom I never could like, but whose worst faults were being a cringing kind of bore and a perfect nuisance with his flute.”“And I as a smooth hypocrite whom one ought not to trust,” said Ingleborough.“And now he’s gone, and we’re to have the Boers at us and most likely have to soldier in real earnest. Hallo! Here’s Norton back again.”For there was a quick step outside, and the door was thrown open. But it was not the superintendent’s face that met their eyes, for their late fellow-clerk stepped boldly in.“How are you, gentlemen?” he said, with a strong emphasis upon the last word. “So I’ve got the sack; but I’m not going to leave my property behind.”He stepped to his desk and took out his flute-case, tucked it under his arm, and then drew the sword-cane and umbrella from the stand, giving the pair a maliciously triumphant look.“Can’t afford to leave the sword-stick as a memento for you, Ingle, nor the flute for sneaky West. Goodbye, both of you. Look out for our next merry meeting. Ta, ta!”Neither of the young men replied, but sat gazing fixedly at the speaker till he passed out, banging the door.But only to open it again to look in and utter the one word: “Cads!”Then the door was banged, and West leaped from his stool and made a dash.“Stop, stupid!” thundered out Ingleborough, supplementing his words by a bound and flinging his arm round his companion’s chest. “Let the brute go. You don’t want to kick him?”“But I do,” shouted West, struggling. “Let go.”“Keep still,” growled Ingleborough, and then, “Why, Noll,” he cried, “I do believe—”“What?” said West, cooling down and looking wonderingly in his companion’s excited eyes, for Ingleborough had stopped short.“That flute—that sword-cane—”“Well, he has got them. Bah! I’m glad you stopped me from punching his head. Let him have them; they’re his.”“Yes,” said Ingleborough; “but the handle of the cane and the top joint of the flute. There was room for a dozen big diamonds in each.”“What! Then let’s go and stop him!”“Yes; we could but be wrong. Come on.”“Hah! Listen,” cried West, and a sound arose which turned their thoughts in a different channel, for it was like the first note of the coming war.The trumpet rang out the “assemblée” and thrilled both through and through, sending them to the arm-press for rifle and bandolier.Clerking was over for many months to come. The pen was to give way to the modern substitute for the sword.

West saw his fellow-clerk wince slightly again, though it passed unnoticed by the others, and directly after the whole party adjourned to the office, the superintendent’s men following them, and, without doing anything to excite attention, forming a guard at the door.

“There’s nothing here,” said the superintendent in a low tone to Ingleborough and West.

“How do you know?” said the former.

“By his manner. He’s all brag and bounce!”

“Yes,” said Ingleborough; “but you don’t know your man.”

“Look here!” cried Anson; “none of that! Search if you like, but no plotting and planning there! I don’t see why they shouldn’t be charged too. Search their desks as well as mine. Perhaps you’ll find some illicit-diamonds there.”

West started, for a strange suspicion shot through his breast.

“If you do they’ll swear I put ’em there, and the superintendent will believe them.”

“You scoundrel!” cried West passionately, and Anson uttered a low sneering laugh; but his face grew set directly, as the officer turned upon him.

“Which is your desk, sir?” he said sharply.

“Search them all!” was the reply.

“Which is his desk?” said the superintendent to West now.

The young man made no reply, and Ingleborough pointed it out.

“Friends and brother-workers!” said Anson, in a sneering manner. “Look here, noble employers, play fair! Let’s have all the desks and the whole place searched.”

No one spoke, and after a cursory examination of the tall stool in front of the desk the officer picked up a thick silver-mounted rattan cane thrust in a stand by the side of the desk in company with three umbrellas.

“Yours?” he said, turning to the suspect.

“Yes, and one of the umbrellas too. The worst one’s mine. That dandy silk one is West’s. The handles of all three are sure to unscrew and are hollowed out to hold diamonds, no doubt.”

“Of course,” said the officer, and after a glance at the umbrellas he turned the thick heavy cane over in his hands, noticing that in addition to a silver cap there was a thick silver ring about six inches from the top.

“Oh yes, that’s hollow too,” cried Anson mockingly, “and stuffed full of diamonds, I daresay.—Ah! mind you don’t cut your fingers!”

For the officer, as he held the thick cane in both hands, tried to unscrew the top part, thickest by the ring, and, after yielding a little, he gave it a sharp tug, drawing out about a foot of a bright blue damascened sword, and then thrusting it back with an impatient “Pish!”

“A sword-stick,” said the officer.

“Well, why not?” cried Anson. “I don’t carry a revolver.”

The officer thrust the cane into the stand, and then, with Anson watching him keenly, raised the lid of the broad flat desk, turned over some books and papers, measured its depth outside and in to make sure that there was no false bottom, and then brought out the clerk’s little flat mahogany box, Anson grinning sneeringly as the lid was opened and the joints of the flute lay exposed to view.

“Now you’ve got ’em, sir!” cried Anson, with a mocking laugh. “Blow through them, and you’ll find it’s all wind.”

The superintendent turned the box upside down, and the joints were left upon the top of the desk, except that the top joint with its gaping mouth-hole stuck in the velvet fitting, but looked the most hollow of the set.

“There’s nothing here, gentlemen,” said the officer, replacing the other joints and gravely closing the desk.

“Oh, nonsense!” cried Anson, jeering. “You haven’t half looked. Perhaps, though, young West has the whole swag in his desk.”

“Would you like to examine the other desks, gentlemen?” said the officer.

“No, certainly not,” said the leading director sharply; “we have no wish to insult our employés.”

“Only one,” snarled Anson. “Do you call this fair play?”

West drew a breath full of relief, and glanced at Ingleborough, who made no sign, but stood looking stolidly at the officer.

“I’m quite satisfied, gentlemen,” said the latter. “There is nothing here. Do you charge Mr Anson with illicit dealing?”

“You have not searched his apartments yet,” said the chief director. “We wish to have further proofs first.”

Anson opened his mouth a short distance as his chief spoke, and closed it again with a sharp little snap.

“You wish the prisoner’s rooms to be searched then, gentlemen?”

“I’m not a prisoner,” cried Anson angrily. “I’ve neither been charged nor taken into custody.”

“Certainly!” said the director sternly. “Search Mr Anson’s rooms preliminary to his being charged and taken into custody. Mr West, go in front with the superintendent to show the way. I do not wish to make a procession, to create excitement and make us the observed of all.”

“I understand, sir. Mr Anson will walk in advance with me, and you can follow as you please. There is no need for Mr West to walk with us. I know the way!”

“Of course!” snarled Anson. “Mr Ingleborough’s doing, I suppose. Then I have been watched.”

“Yes, my doing,” said the person named. “As soon as I suspected you of illicit dealing I kept an eye upon you and told Mr Norton here what I thought.”

“Cowardly, sneaking cur!” cried Anson, grinding his teeth.

“No, sir,” cried the director sternly: “faithful servant of the company.”

“Where are your proofs that I am not?” cried Anson fiercely.

“Not found yet,” said the officer; “but with all your cunning I daresay we shall trace them.”

“Go on,” said Anson. “I’m ready for you.”

The next minute the whole party were straggling through the camp-like town towards the outskirts, to gather together at the very ordinary shed-like house of mud wall and fluted corrugated-iron roofing, where the wife of one of the men at the mine stared in wonder at the party, and then looked in awe at her lodger, her eyes very wide open and startled as she grasped what the visit meant.

“Oh, Mr Anson, what have you been a-doing of?” she cried, and burst into tears.

West looked at the poor woman with a feeling of pity, and then felt disposed to kick Anson for his brutality, for the clerk’s gesture was that of an ill-tempered cur: he literally snapped at her.

“Out of the way, you idiot!” he cried, “and let this police-constable and his party come by.”

West saw the directors exchange glances before following the superintendent into the little house, leaving the two clerks to the last, the police-constables remaining watchfully at the door.

“Master Anson is regularly cutting the ground from under him, Ingle,” said West softly.

“Yes: the fool! I take it to be a tacit confession. You don’t think I’ve made a mistake now?”

West shook his head and looked distressed, but said nothing.

“Of course he’ll never come back to us, and he knows it, or he’d never put on this defiant manner. Hark at him!”

For at that moment the object of their thoughts shouted loudly: “Here, you two spies, what are you waiting behind for? Come in and help search the place.”

West frowned and hung back, but Ingleborough laid a hand on his shoulder.

“Come along,” he said; “you must help me to see it through! It isn’t pleasant, but it’s part of one’s duty.”

The next minute they were in Anson’s combined bed and sitting room, a very ordinary-looking place, with the simplest of furniture and plenty of suggestions all round of spots where an ingenious man might have hidden a little fortune in diamonds; for the mud walls were lined with matchboard, the ceiling was of the same material, and then there was the floor, where in any part a board could have been lifted and a receptacle made for the precious crystals, without counting the articles of furniture, including the bedding.

“I’m sorry I have no more chairs, gentlemen,” said the tenant banteringly. “Sit on the table, and three of you can make a sofa of the bed. Never mind tumbling it! You’ll do nothing compared to Mr Superintendent Norton when he begins. I say, though, you should have given me notice of all this, and then I’d have had a carpenter here to skin the walls and ceiling so as to have made everything nice and easy for you. I say, Mr Norton, you’ll want a pickaxe and shovel directly, won’t you?”

The directors had paid no heed to the speaker’s bantering remarks, but the superintendent was getting hot, tired, and annoyed by the constant chatter of the man he was longing to arrest; and, though he had treated everything so far with calm indifference, his lack of success in his search for something incriminating in such places as experience had taught him were in favour with those who carried on diamond-smuggling began now to tell upon his temper, and he turned sharply upon the speaker: to snap out words which showed that his thoughts ran on all-fours with those of Ingleborough.

“Look here, young man!” he said; “I don’t know whether you are aware of it, but you are hard at work building up a black case against yourself, and if you’re not careful you’ll find yourself before long working out your two years as a convict on the Cape Town breakwater.”

“I shall!” cried Anson. “What for? Where’s your evidence? You’ve got a jumped-up cock-and-bull story made by a fellow-clerk who says one thing while I say another. You’ve only his word for it. You’ve found no diamonds on me, and you’ve found none in my lodgings.”

“Not yet,” said the superintendent meaningly.

“Oh, I see! Not yet! Go on, then, pray! I’m not paid by time, so I can afford to lose a few hours. Search away! Perhaps our clever friend Ingleborough can tell you where to look. Perhaps he wouldn’t like to, though. It would hurt his feelings to accuse a brother-clerk of being an illicit trader. But don’t mind me, Ingle. It’s good sport for you. Why don’t you help, and think you’re a good little boy playing at ‘hot boiled beans and very good butter’ again? Now then, Norton’s going across to the other side. You should call out ‘colder’ when he’s going away from the place, and ‘warmer’ when he gets nearer. Then ‘hot,’ and last of all ‘burning.’ Come, keep up the game!”

“I should just like to ram that pair of clean socks between your teeth, my fine fellow, and keep it there with a leather strap,” muttered the officer; and, as if about to put his wish into practice, he stooped and picked up the closely rolled-up pair of socks lying with some other articles of attire placed freshly washed upon a shelf by Anson’s landlady.

“Now then,” cried Anson boisterously, “cry ‘burning,’ somebody: there must be some diamonds inside that!”

The directors frowned, and Ingleborough and West looked on angrily as the officer dashed the soft woollen ball back upon the heap and then went on with his search for nearly an hour.

By this time the lookers-on were as much disgusted as the superintendent.

“I’m very sorry, gentlemen,” he cried; “but I can do no more. There is nothing else to be done unless we have my men in and regularly strip the wood-work down.”

“Oh, pray have them in, then,” cried Anson. “If I were you I’d—”

“Silence, sir!” cried the chief director fiercely, and Anson stared. “We have not the slightest doubt of your guilt. Your conduct all through has proved it. That will do, Mr Norton.”

“You think the evidence sufficient to justify an arrest, gentlemen?”

“We will consult together,” replied the director who had just spoken, “and communicate our decision to you.”

“What, aren’t you satisfied yet?” cried Anson mockingly.

“Quite,” replied his chief; “and of course, sir, your post is vacant. For the present, Mr Norton, you will keep an eye upon this man, and see that he does not leave the town.”

“Unless I’m very much mistaken, sir,” said the superintendent, “neither our friend here nor anyone else will leave Kimberley for some time to come.”

“Is it so bad as that?”

“Yes, sir. The Boers are gradually closing in, I am told. But I’ll keep an eye on Mr Anson here all the same.”

Five minutes later the party were on their way back to the mine buildings, where the first thing that West heard was that the Boers were gathering in great force, and, as far as could be judged, were making the Diamond City their objective.

Troubles were gathering fast, and news kept on coming hotter and hotter.

West and Ingleborough were back in their places at the office, talking over the war news and mingling with it the scenes they had just gone through.

“Norton promised me he’d call in here when he left the governors,” said Ingleborough.

“Then he must have forgotten it,” replied West, “for he has been with them quite an hour. I say, I didn’t know that you were such a friend of the superintendent.”

“Well, I’m not in the habit of talking much,” said Ingleborough, smiling. “But I do like him; he’s such a straightforward, manly fellow, and I take so much interest in the way he runs down criminals. I often wish I had joined the detectives who have this diamond-smuggling in hand.”

“Pst! here he is!” said West quickly, for there were steps outside, and directly after a sharp rap at the door.

“May I come in, Ingleborough?”

“Yes.Entrez! West said you’d gone.”

“Did he? You knew I was not?”

Ingleborough nodded.

“What have they decided?” he asked.

“To let the matter drift for the present: only I’m to keep an eye on the scoundrel. They say that we shall all have our hands full enough directly in strengthening the town, and they’re right. I’m afraid we’re going to have a warm time.”

“Think they’ll attack us?” asked West.

“Safe to. Now’s the time for you volunteers to show what you’re made of, for I believe that the enemy will make straight for Kimberley. Our getting the diamond-fields has always been a sore point with them, and we shall have our work cut out to save them.”

“Yes,” said Ingleborough thoughtfully, “and if I’m not mistaken, you’ll have more cause to watch Anson than for smuggling. He has his knife into the company.”

“Exactly,” said Norton; “and if he can make friends with and help the enemy, he will.”

“You mean he’ll be a dangerous spy in the camp?” said West excitedly.

“That’s it, Mr West; but if he plays that game and is caught his punishment will not be a couple of years on the breakwater.”

“No,” said Ingleborough: “the military will deal with him then.”

“How?” asked West, whose veins began to tingle and a cold shuddering sensation to run down his spine.

“A couple of lines of infantry, a volley of musketry, and—”

“Finis,” said the superintendent. “Good day. I don’t wish him any harm; but I feel pretty sure he’ll run straight into some trap. That sort of fellow always does.”

The next minute the door had closed upon the superintendent, and the two young men sat thoughtfully looking in each other’s eyes.

“Only a few hours ago, and we three were calmly working together,” said West sadly; “and I looked upon Anson as an unsatisfactory fellow whom I never could like, but whose worst faults were being a cringing kind of bore and a perfect nuisance with his flute.”

“And I as a smooth hypocrite whom one ought not to trust,” said Ingleborough.

“And now he’s gone, and we’re to have the Boers at us and most likely have to soldier in real earnest. Hallo! Here’s Norton back again.”

For there was a quick step outside, and the door was thrown open. But it was not the superintendent’s face that met their eyes, for their late fellow-clerk stepped boldly in.

“How are you, gentlemen?” he said, with a strong emphasis upon the last word. “So I’ve got the sack; but I’m not going to leave my property behind.”

He stepped to his desk and took out his flute-case, tucked it under his arm, and then drew the sword-cane and umbrella from the stand, giving the pair a maliciously triumphant look.

“Can’t afford to leave the sword-stick as a memento for you, Ingle, nor the flute for sneaky West. Goodbye, both of you. Look out for our next merry meeting. Ta, ta!”

Neither of the young men replied, but sat gazing fixedly at the speaker till he passed out, banging the door.

But only to open it again to look in and utter the one word: “Cads!”

Then the door was banged, and West leaped from his stool and made a dash.

“Stop, stupid!” thundered out Ingleborough, supplementing his words by a bound and flinging his arm round his companion’s chest. “Let the brute go. You don’t want to kick him?”

“But I do,” shouted West, struggling. “Let go.”

“Keep still,” growled Ingleborough, and then, “Why, Noll,” he cried, “I do believe—”

“What?” said West, cooling down and looking wonderingly in his companion’s excited eyes, for Ingleborough had stopped short.

“That flute—that sword-cane—”

“Well, he has got them. Bah! I’m glad you stopped me from punching his head. Let him have them; they’re his.”

“Yes,” said Ingleborough; “but the handle of the cane and the top joint of the flute. There was room for a dozen big diamonds in each.”

“What! Then let’s go and stop him!”

“Yes; we could but be wrong. Come on.”

“Hah! Listen,” cried West, and a sound arose which turned their thoughts in a different channel, for it was like the first note of the coming war.

The trumpet rang out the “assemblée” and thrilled both through and through, sending them to the arm-press for rifle and bandolier.

Clerking was over for many months to come. The pen was to give way to the modern substitute for the sword.

Chapter Eight.Volunteers Volunteer.Rumours that proved to be false and rumours that proved to be true were plentiful enough during the following fortnight; and in that time Kimberley was transformed from a busy mining camp in which the black and white inhabitants were constantly going and coming like ants in a hill to a town whose siege was imminent, and whose people thought of nothing but preparing for the enemy, and whose talk was of rifle, cartridge, and trench.But there was something done beside talk, the people loyally joining with the small military garrison in preparing for the defence of the place; and, while one portion worked to strengthen every spot that would form a redoubt, the other strove as long as was possible to get in stores to enable the defenders to hold out if they were besieged. For the determination was strong to save the enormous wealth of the place from the enemy whose borders were so short a distance from their lines.Drilling and instruction in the use of arms were carried on almost night and day, and in a very short time the military element seemed to have pretty well swallowed up the civil, while each hour found the people more ready to meet the first rush of the dogs of war.It was a most unsuitable place for defence, being a mere mining camp pitched in a wide bare plain, the only part suitable for turning into a keep being the huge mound cast up by the excavations in the search for diamonds; and this was fortified to the best of the defenders’ ability almost from the first. But the situation had its advantages as well as failings, for the flat, open, desert-like land stretched right away on all sides, giving an enemy no undue advantages in the shape of kopje or ravine to turn into a natural fortress from which the town could be attacked.The place, then, was a fair example of weakness and strength, the latter, however, daily growing, in the shape of a stern determination to give the Boers a very warm reception when they did attack.So the days glided rapidly by, with authentic news at first fairly abundant, but invariably of a very serious nature, and whenever they were off the new duties they had to fulfil, the said news was amply discussed by the two young men, who from their prior preparation had stood forward at once as prominent members of the semi-military force.“Be patient,” said Ingleborough laughingly, one evening; “there’ll be plenty of fighting by-and-by. I’d no idea you were going to develop into such a fire-eater.”“Fire-eater? Absurd! I only feel deeply interested in all we are doing.”“That’s right, Noll! So do we all; but let’s have no rashness. Remember all the drill and discipline. That’s where we shall be able to tell against the enemy. They can use their rifles well enough; but they are an undisciplined mob at the best. By the way, have you run against the flute-player lately?”“No, but I met the people with whom he lodges yesterday. They knew me again, and came up as if wanting to speak.”“What about?”“Oh, they began by talking about the war and asking me whether I thought it would last long.”“To which you saidNo, eh?”“I only said that I hoped not, and then they volunteered the information that they believed Anson was going to leave the town for the south.”“Indeed?” said Ingleborough sharply. “What made them think that?”“Because their lodger had packed up all his little belongings and had bought a wagon and a span of oxen, which he kept just outside.”“Well, he’ll lose them if he doesn’t look out. He’ll find himself between two fires. Either the oxen will be seized for stores, or the Boers will cut them off. The fellow must be either desperate or mad.”“In a fright, I should say,” said West. “I don’t think he would stomach the fighting.”“Oh, it’s all nonsense! The report this evening was that the Boers are closing round us fast. He’ll be stopped by one side or the other. Norton ought to know of this, though.”“I daresay he does know already,” said West; “for he told me the other day that he was keeping his eye on our friend.”“So he did,” said Ingleborough thoughtfully. “He has some idea of catching him trying to communicate with the enemy. If he does, Master Simon will not get off so easily as he did over the diamond business. Well, I’m tired, and I shall go to bed. Let’s sleep while we can. There’s no knowing what a day will bring forth!”“You are right,” said West. “You think we shall really come to close quarters?”“Yes, and very close quarters too. I’ve expected it before now.”Nothing happens so surely as the unexpected, someone once said; and it was so the very next day.Military drill was, as intimated, constantly going on; but that next morning there was a larger gathering than usual, the principal part of the regulars being drawn up in lines with the volunteer defenders—in all, a goodly show.It was to some extent a general inspection; but after it was over the men were formed up as three sides of a hollow square, and the Colonel in command addressed the men, complimenting them upon their behaviour, and then giving them the contents in a great measure of the despatches he had received from headquarters, in combination with the reports of the scouts and from the outposts. He concluded by saying that in a few hours they would, in all probability, be completely shut off from communication with the south, for the Boers were closing round them in great force, and that until they were relieved they would be called upon to hold Kimberley, making a brave defence to save so important a town from falling into the hands of the invader.Here he was stopped by a tremendous burst of cheering, which hindered him from saying, as he intended, that they must be of good heart and full of trust that the General in command would soon send help.But the enthusiastic cheering taught the Commandant plainly that the men before him needed no “heartening up,” and he smiled with satisfaction as he felt convinced that every call he made upon them would be answered.What followed was short and to the point. He thanked them, made a few remarks about his determination that no Boers should drag the British flag from where it fluttered, told the garrison that he was proud to say that they had an ample supply of provisions and military stores, and that the Boers had only to make their first attack to find how they had deceived themselves about the British surrender at Majuba Hill.Here there was another deafening burst of cheers.Finally he made a fresh allusion to the well-known town farther north which was being surrounded by the enemy even as they were being shut in there.“It will be a race,” he said, “between us as to which town will first beat the Boers off; and the victors will then have the glorious task of going to the relief of the others.”After this the regulars were marched off to their quarters, leaving the volunteers standing fast; and the Commandant now summoned their officers to his side.As it happened, this was within a few yards of the spot where West and Ingleborough were drawn up in the line, and every word the Commandant spoke came to them clear and plain.“I have another little business to speak about, gentlemen,” he said, “in connection with a second despatch which was enclosed to me this morning within my own. It is a letter of instructions I am ordered to convey to our brave brother-in-arms now in command at Mafeking; and, on thinking the matter over, I concluded that it would be unwise to select one of my own men to carry that despatch, from their want of knowledge of the country and people, and far better to apply to you gentlemen to recommend to me a thoroughly trustworthy man or two, who, regardless of all obstacles, would carry the despatch, bringing to bear force or cunning so as to evade the enemy’s scouts, for the road is sure to swarm with them, even if it is not occupied by the Boers in force. It is possible, too, that Mafeking may be completely invested when he or they reach its neighbourhood; but I must have a despatch-rider who will look upon even that as a trifle to be overcome or crossed, and who will not rest until the despatch is safely placed in Colonel Baden-Powell’s hands. Let me be fully understood: I want messengers who will be ready to fight if necessary or fly if needs be, but only to rebound and try in another direction—in short, men who will button up this despatch and say: ‘It shall be placed in Baden-Powell’s hands by hook or crook as soon as a swift horse can cover the ground.’ This is what I want, and it is urgent, or it would not be placed in my hands to deliver with such stern commands. It means life or death to hundreds, if not thousands. So now then, whom do you know that will, with the assistance of a brave comrade, risk his life and carry my despatch?”A dead silence, which lasted many seconds, fell upon the group, but at last the volunteer Colonel spoke out.“I am not prepared to name anyone, sir,” he said, “and I flinch from sending any man in my regiment upon so terribly perilous a journey, for it means almost to a certainty being shot down, for the bearer of the despatch will be bound to hurry on and pay no heed to challenges to stop.”“Certainly,” said the Commandant, frowning; “but surely—”“One moment, sir; I was about to say that the fairest way would be to call for volunteers, and then select the two most likely men.”“Well,” said the Commandant, “do that then, and let the men fully understand that it is a most dangerous task. Mind, too, that he must be a good and a rather reckless rider, able to bear fatigue, and above all determined to do this thing for the honour of his country and the saving of his brother men.—Yes, my lad, what is it?”For West, whose face had flushed deeply and whose blood tingled in his veins, had taken four steps forward out of the ranks, and now stood with his hand raised to the salute.“Give me the despatch, sir,” he said. “I’ll take it.”“You?” cried the Commandant wonderingly, as his eyes ran over the speaker. “You are very young. But are you a good rider?”“I think I can ride anything well enough, sir.”“Splendid rider,” said a deep voice, and Ingleborough strode to the young man’s side. “He’ll do it, sir, if any man can; and I’ll go with him to help him in the task if you’ll give me orders.”“Hah!” ejaculated the Commandant. “Yes, I know you, Mr Ingleborough. You belong to the police?”“Oh no, sir; I am only on friendly terms with the superintendent, and have been on expeditions with him.”“And you think your young friend would be a good man to carry the despatch?”“I would trust him if I were in power, sir.”“Then I will,” said the Commandant, after a long and searching look at West. “Be at my quarters in fifteen minutes’ time, both of you, and we will have further talk on the matter.”The young men exchanged looks as they resumed their places in the ranks, West’s countenance betokening the wild excitement he felt, while Ingleborough, who looked perfectly calm and contented, just gave him a smile and a nod.A few minutes later they were dismissed, and the two young men had hard work to get free from their brother volunteers, who surrounded and cheered them loudly, one of the officers proposing that they should be chaired back through the town. But they escaped this on the ground of their orders to go to the Commandant’s quarters, and were at last set free, to hurry away. The next minute they encountered Anson, who had heard and seen all, and passed them without a word, but wearing a peculiarly supercilious and meaning smile which broadened into a grin of contempt that made West writhe.“Bless him!” said Ingleborough. “Do you know what the pleasant look means?”“That he will not be happy till I’ve thrashed him.”“No,” said Ingleborough; “he has evidently heard all, and has made up his mind that he is going to have a pleasant revenge.”“How? In what way?” cried West.“He thinks the Boers will shoot us: that’s all.”“Ah!” cried West.“But we will not let them, my dear boy,” said Ingleborough coolly. “They’re slim, as they call it; but two can play at that game.”“Yes, but look: here’s Mr Allan coming to say that we can’t go,” said West excitedly, for the chief director was approaching and raised his hand to stop them, signing to them directly after to come to his side.“Looks as if he is going to put a stopper on our patriotism,” growled Ingleborough. “We’ve been reckoning without our host.”

Rumours that proved to be false and rumours that proved to be true were plentiful enough during the following fortnight; and in that time Kimberley was transformed from a busy mining camp in which the black and white inhabitants were constantly going and coming like ants in a hill to a town whose siege was imminent, and whose people thought of nothing but preparing for the enemy, and whose talk was of rifle, cartridge, and trench.

But there was something done beside talk, the people loyally joining with the small military garrison in preparing for the defence of the place; and, while one portion worked to strengthen every spot that would form a redoubt, the other strove as long as was possible to get in stores to enable the defenders to hold out if they were besieged. For the determination was strong to save the enormous wealth of the place from the enemy whose borders were so short a distance from their lines.

Drilling and instruction in the use of arms were carried on almost night and day, and in a very short time the military element seemed to have pretty well swallowed up the civil, while each hour found the people more ready to meet the first rush of the dogs of war.

It was a most unsuitable place for defence, being a mere mining camp pitched in a wide bare plain, the only part suitable for turning into a keep being the huge mound cast up by the excavations in the search for diamonds; and this was fortified to the best of the defenders’ ability almost from the first. But the situation had its advantages as well as failings, for the flat, open, desert-like land stretched right away on all sides, giving an enemy no undue advantages in the shape of kopje or ravine to turn into a natural fortress from which the town could be attacked.

The place, then, was a fair example of weakness and strength, the latter, however, daily growing, in the shape of a stern determination to give the Boers a very warm reception when they did attack.

So the days glided rapidly by, with authentic news at first fairly abundant, but invariably of a very serious nature, and whenever they were off the new duties they had to fulfil, the said news was amply discussed by the two young men, who from their prior preparation had stood forward at once as prominent members of the semi-military force.

“Be patient,” said Ingleborough laughingly, one evening; “there’ll be plenty of fighting by-and-by. I’d no idea you were going to develop into such a fire-eater.”

“Fire-eater? Absurd! I only feel deeply interested in all we are doing.”

“That’s right, Noll! So do we all; but let’s have no rashness. Remember all the drill and discipline. That’s where we shall be able to tell against the enemy. They can use their rifles well enough; but they are an undisciplined mob at the best. By the way, have you run against the flute-player lately?”

“No, but I met the people with whom he lodges yesterday. They knew me again, and came up as if wanting to speak.”

“What about?”

“Oh, they began by talking about the war and asking me whether I thought it would last long.”

“To which you saidNo, eh?”

“I only said that I hoped not, and then they volunteered the information that they believed Anson was going to leave the town for the south.”

“Indeed?” said Ingleborough sharply. “What made them think that?”

“Because their lodger had packed up all his little belongings and had bought a wagon and a span of oxen, which he kept just outside.”

“Well, he’ll lose them if he doesn’t look out. He’ll find himself between two fires. Either the oxen will be seized for stores, or the Boers will cut them off. The fellow must be either desperate or mad.”

“In a fright, I should say,” said West. “I don’t think he would stomach the fighting.”

“Oh, it’s all nonsense! The report this evening was that the Boers are closing round us fast. He’ll be stopped by one side or the other. Norton ought to know of this, though.”

“I daresay he does know already,” said West; “for he told me the other day that he was keeping his eye on our friend.”

“So he did,” said Ingleborough thoughtfully. “He has some idea of catching him trying to communicate with the enemy. If he does, Master Simon will not get off so easily as he did over the diamond business. Well, I’m tired, and I shall go to bed. Let’s sleep while we can. There’s no knowing what a day will bring forth!”

“You are right,” said West. “You think we shall really come to close quarters?”

“Yes, and very close quarters too. I’ve expected it before now.”

Nothing happens so surely as the unexpected, someone once said; and it was so the very next day.

Military drill was, as intimated, constantly going on; but that next morning there was a larger gathering than usual, the principal part of the regulars being drawn up in lines with the volunteer defenders—in all, a goodly show.

It was to some extent a general inspection; but after it was over the men were formed up as three sides of a hollow square, and the Colonel in command addressed the men, complimenting them upon their behaviour, and then giving them the contents in a great measure of the despatches he had received from headquarters, in combination with the reports of the scouts and from the outposts. He concluded by saying that in a few hours they would, in all probability, be completely shut off from communication with the south, for the Boers were closing round them in great force, and that until they were relieved they would be called upon to hold Kimberley, making a brave defence to save so important a town from falling into the hands of the invader.

Here he was stopped by a tremendous burst of cheering, which hindered him from saying, as he intended, that they must be of good heart and full of trust that the General in command would soon send help.

But the enthusiastic cheering taught the Commandant plainly that the men before him needed no “heartening up,” and he smiled with satisfaction as he felt convinced that every call he made upon them would be answered.

What followed was short and to the point. He thanked them, made a few remarks about his determination that no Boers should drag the British flag from where it fluttered, told the garrison that he was proud to say that they had an ample supply of provisions and military stores, and that the Boers had only to make their first attack to find how they had deceived themselves about the British surrender at Majuba Hill.

Here there was another deafening burst of cheers.

Finally he made a fresh allusion to the well-known town farther north which was being surrounded by the enemy even as they were being shut in there.

“It will be a race,” he said, “between us as to which town will first beat the Boers off; and the victors will then have the glorious task of going to the relief of the others.”

After this the regulars were marched off to their quarters, leaving the volunteers standing fast; and the Commandant now summoned their officers to his side.

As it happened, this was within a few yards of the spot where West and Ingleborough were drawn up in the line, and every word the Commandant spoke came to them clear and plain.

“I have another little business to speak about, gentlemen,” he said, “in connection with a second despatch which was enclosed to me this morning within my own. It is a letter of instructions I am ordered to convey to our brave brother-in-arms now in command at Mafeking; and, on thinking the matter over, I concluded that it would be unwise to select one of my own men to carry that despatch, from their want of knowledge of the country and people, and far better to apply to you gentlemen to recommend to me a thoroughly trustworthy man or two, who, regardless of all obstacles, would carry the despatch, bringing to bear force or cunning so as to evade the enemy’s scouts, for the road is sure to swarm with them, even if it is not occupied by the Boers in force. It is possible, too, that Mafeking may be completely invested when he or they reach its neighbourhood; but I must have a despatch-rider who will look upon even that as a trifle to be overcome or crossed, and who will not rest until the despatch is safely placed in Colonel Baden-Powell’s hands. Let me be fully understood: I want messengers who will be ready to fight if necessary or fly if needs be, but only to rebound and try in another direction—in short, men who will button up this despatch and say: ‘It shall be placed in Baden-Powell’s hands by hook or crook as soon as a swift horse can cover the ground.’ This is what I want, and it is urgent, or it would not be placed in my hands to deliver with such stern commands. It means life or death to hundreds, if not thousands. So now then, whom do you know that will, with the assistance of a brave comrade, risk his life and carry my despatch?”

A dead silence, which lasted many seconds, fell upon the group, but at last the volunteer Colonel spoke out.

“I am not prepared to name anyone, sir,” he said, “and I flinch from sending any man in my regiment upon so terribly perilous a journey, for it means almost to a certainty being shot down, for the bearer of the despatch will be bound to hurry on and pay no heed to challenges to stop.”

“Certainly,” said the Commandant, frowning; “but surely—”

“One moment, sir; I was about to say that the fairest way would be to call for volunteers, and then select the two most likely men.”

“Well,” said the Commandant, “do that then, and let the men fully understand that it is a most dangerous task. Mind, too, that he must be a good and a rather reckless rider, able to bear fatigue, and above all determined to do this thing for the honour of his country and the saving of his brother men.—Yes, my lad, what is it?”

For West, whose face had flushed deeply and whose blood tingled in his veins, had taken four steps forward out of the ranks, and now stood with his hand raised to the salute.

“Give me the despatch, sir,” he said. “I’ll take it.”

“You?” cried the Commandant wonderingly, as his eyes ran over the speaker. “You are very young. But are you a good rider?”

“I think I can ride anything well enough, sir.”

“Splendid rider,” said a deep voice, and Ingleborough strode to the young man’s side. “He’ll do it, sir, if any man can; and I’ll go with him to help him in the task if you’ll give me orders.”

“Hah!” ejaculated the Commandant. “Yes, I know you, Mr Ingleborough. You belong to the police?”

“Oh no, sir; I am only on friendly terms with the superintendent, and have been on expeditions with him.”

“And you think your young friend would be a good man to carry the despatch?”

“I would trust him if I were in power, sir.”

“Then I will,” said the Commandant, after a long and searching look at West. “Be at my quarters in fifteen minutes’ time, both of you, and we will have further talk on the matter.”

The young men exchanged looks as they resumed their places in the ranks, West’s countenance betokening the wild excitement he felt, while Ingleborough, who looked perfectly calm and contented, just gave him a smile and a nod.

A few minutes later they were dismissed, and the two young men had hard work to get free from their brother volunteers, who surrounded and cheered them loudly, one of the officers proposing that they should be chaired back through the town. But they escaped this on the ground of their orders to go to the Commandant’s quarters, and were at last set free, to hurry away. The next minute they encountered Anson, who had heard and seen all, and passed them without a word, but wearing a peculiarly supercilious and meaning smile which broadened into a grin of contempt that made West writhe.

“Bless him!” said Ingleborough. “Do you know what the pleasant look means?”

“That he will not be happy till I’ve thrashed him.”

“No,” said Ingleborough; “he has evidently heard all, and has made up his mind that he is going to have a pleasant revenge.”

“How? In what way?” cried West.

“He thinks the Boers will shoot us: that’s all.”

“Ah!” cried West.

“But we will not let them, my dear boy,” said Ingleborough coolly. “They’re slim, as they call it; but two can play at that game.”

“Yes, but look: here’s Mr Allan coming to say that we can’t go,” said West excitedly, for the chief director was approaching and raised his hand to stop them, signing to them directly after to come to his side.

“Looks as if he is going to put a stopper on our patriotism,” growled Ingleborough. “We’ve been reckoning without our host.”

Chapter Nine.Four-Legged Help.“Here, you two boys,” cried the director; “I’ve just heard of this wild project. Are you mad, West?”“I hope not, sir.”“But, my good lad, I really—I—that is—bless my soul! It’s very brave of you; but I don’t think I ought to let you go.”“I heard you say, sir, that everyone ought to be ready to devote his life to the defence of the country.”“Eh?” cried the director. “To be sure, yes, I did—in that speech I made to the volunteers; but then you’re not everybody, and—er—er—you see, what I said was in a speech, and sometimes one says more then than one quite means.”“There’ll be no work doing in the office, sir,” said Ingleborough; “and I hope you will not place any obstacles in the way of our going.”“Oh no, my dear boys! I feel that I must not; but I don’t like you to run such a terrible risk.”“We must all run risks, sir,” said West gravely.“And I beg your pardon: our time is up for seeing the Commandant,” said Ingleborough, referring to his watch.“Yes, I heard you were to go to him,” said the director. “But it sounds very rash. There, go on, and come to me afterwards.”They parted, and a few minutes later the young men were ushered into the Commandant’s room.“Then you have not repented, my lads?” he said, smiling.“No, sir,” replied West, speaking for both; “we are quite ready to go.”“Then I must take you both at your word. But once more I give you both the opportunity to draw back if you like.”“Thank you, sir,” replied West; “but if you will trust us we will take the despatch.”“Very well,” said the Commandant, turning very stern and business-like. “Here is the despatch. It is a very small packet, and I leave it to your own ingenuity to dispose of it where it cannot be found if you have the bad luck to be captured. It must be sewn up in your pockets, or fitted into your hats, or hidden in some way or other. I leave it to you, only telling you to destroy it sooner than it should fall into the enemy’s hands.”“We’ll consult together, sir, and decide what to do,” replied West, looking frankly in the officer’s eyes; “but—I have heard of such a thing being done, sir—”“What do you mean?” said the Commandant sternly.“That to ensure a despatch not falling into the enemy’s hands the bearer learned its contents carefully and then burned it.”“Hah! Yes. That would make it safe,” cried the officer, with a satisfied look. “But, no, it could not be done in this case. I have no right to open the despatch, and I do not know its contents. You must take it as it is, and in the event of disaster burn or bury it. Destroy it somehow. It must not fall into the enemy’s hands. Here.”“I understand, sir,” said West, taking the thick letter in its envelope, as it was extended to him; and the Commandant heaved a sigh as if of relief on being freed of a terrible incubus.“There,” he said, “I shall tie you down to no restrictions other than these. That packet must somehow be placed in the hands of the Colonel Commandant at Mafeking. I do not like to name failure, for you are both young, strong, and evidently full of resource; but once more: if you are driven too hard, burn or destroy the packet. Now then, what do you want in the way of arms? You have your rifles, and you had better take revolvers, which you can have with ammunition from the military stores. Do you want money?”“No, sir; we shall require no money to signify,” said Ingleborough quietly. “But we must have the best horses that can be obtained.”“Those you must provide for yourselves. Take the pick of the place, and the order shall be made for payment. My advice is that you select as good a pair of Basuto ponies as you can obtain. They will be the best for your purpose. There, I have no more to say but ‘God speed you,’ for it is a matter of life and death.”He shook hands warmly with both, and, on glancing back as soon as they were outside, they saw the Commandant watching them from the window, whence he waved his hand.“He thinks we shall never get back again, Noll,” said Ingleborough, smiling; “but we’ll deceive him. Now then, what next?”“We must see Mr Allan,” replied West.“Then forward,” cried Ingleborough. “We must see old Norton too before we go, or he’ll feel huffed. Let’s go round by his place.”They found the superintendent in and ready to shake hands with them both warmly.“Most plucky!” he kept on saying. “Wish I could go with you.”“I wish you could, and with a hundred of your men to back us up,” said West laughingly.“You ought to have a couple of thousand to do any good!” said the superintendent: “but even they would not ensure your delivering your despatch. By rights there ought to be only one of you. That would increase your chance. But it would be lonely work. What can I do for you before you go?”“Only come and see us off this evening.”“I will,” was the reply, “and wish you safe back.”“And, I say,” said Ingleborough: “keep your eye on that scoundrel.”“Anson? Oh yes: trust me! I haven’t done with that gentleman yet.”Directly after they were on their way to the director’s room, and as they neared the door they could hear him pacing impatiently up and down as if suffering from extreme anxiety.The step ceased as they reached and gave a tap at the door, and Mr Allan opened to them himself.“Well,” he said, “has the Commandant decided to send you?”“Yes, sir,” replied West.“I’m very sorry, and I’m very glad; for it must be done, and I know no one more likely to get through the Boer lines than you two. Look here, you’ll want money. Take these. No questions, no hesitation, my lads; buckle on the belts beneath your waistcoats. Money is the sinews of war, and you are going where you will want sinews and bones, bones and sinews too.”In his eagerness the director helped the young men to buckle on the two cash-belts he had given them.“There,” he said; “that is all I can do for you but wish you good luck. By the time you come back we shall have sent the Boers to the right-about, unless they have captured Kimberley and seized the diamond-mines. Then, of course, my occupation will be gone. Goodbye. Not hard-hearted, my boys; but rather disposed to be soft. There, goodbye.”“Now then,” said West, “we’ve no time to spare. What are we going to do about horses?”“We’ve the money at our back,” replied Ingleborough, “and that will do anything. We are on Government service too, so that if we cannot pay we can pick out what we like and then report to headquarters, when they will be requisitioned.”But the task proved easy enough, for they had not gone far in the direction of the mines when they met another of the directors, who greeted them both warmly.“I’ve heard all about it, my lads,” he said, “and it’s very brave of you both.”“Please don’t say that any more, sir,” cried West appealingly, “for all we have done yet is talk. If we do get the despatch through there will be some praise earned, but at present we’ve done nothing.”“And we’re both dreadfully modest, sir,” said Ingleborough.“Bah! you’re not great girls,” cried the director. “But you are not off yet, and you can’t walk.”“No, sir,” said West; “we are in search of horses—good ones that we can trust to hold out.”“Very well; why don’t you go to someone who has been buying up horses for our mounted men?”“Because we don’t know of any such person,” said West. “Do you?”“To be sure I do, my lad, and here he is.”“You, sir?” cried Ingleborough excitedly. “Why, of course; I heard that you were, and forgot in all the bustle and excitement of the coming siege. Then you can let us have two? The Commandant will give an order for the payment.”“Hang the Commandant’s payments!” cried the director testily. “When young fellows like you are ready to give their lives in the Queen’s service, do you think men like we are can’t afford to mount them? Come along with me, and you shall have the pick of the sturdy cob ponies I have. They’re rough, and almost unbroken—what sort of horsemen are you?”“Very bad, sir,” replied Ingleborough: “no style at all. We ride astride though.”“Well, so I suppose,” said the director, laughing, “and with your faces to the nag’s head. If you tell me you look towards the tail I shall not believe you. But seriously, can you stick on a horse tightly when at full gallop?”“Oliver West can, sir,” replied Ingleborough. “He’s a regular centaur foal.”“Nonsense! Don’t flatter,” cried West. “I can ride a bit, sir; but Ingleborough rides as if he were part of a horse. He’s accustomed to taking long rides across the veldt every morning.”“Oh, we can ride, sir,” said Ingleborough coolly; “but whether we can ride well enough to distance the Boers has to be proved.”“I’ll mount you, my boys, on such a pair of ponies as the Boers haven’t amongst them,” said the director warmly. “Do you know my stables—the rough ones and enclosure I have had made?”“We heard something about the new stabling near the mine, sir,” said West; “but we’ve been too busy to pay much heed.”“Come and pay heed now, then.”The speaker led the way towards the great mine buildings, and halted at a gate in a newly set-up fence of corrugated-iron, passing through which their eyes were gladdened by the sight of about a dozen of the rough, sturdy little cobs bred by the Basutos across country, and evidently under the charge of a couple of Kaffirs, who came hurrying up at the sight of their “baas,” as they termed him.Here Ingleborough soon displayed the knowledge he had picked up in connection with horses by selecting two clever-looking muscular little steeds, full of spirit and go, but quite ready to prove how little they had been broken in, and promising plenty of work to their riders if they expected to keep in their saddles.“Be too fresh for you?” said the owner.“We shall soon take the freshness out of them, poor things!” said Ingleborough. “Would you mind having them bridled and saddled, sir?”The order was given, and, after a good deal of trouble and narrowly escaping being kicked, the Kaffirs brought the pair selected up to where the despatch-riders were standing with the director.Ingleborough smiled, and then bade the two Kaffirs to stand on the far side of the ponies, which began to resent the Kaffirs’ flank movements by sidling up towards the two young men.“Ready?” said Ingleborough, in a low, sharp tone.“Yes.”“Mount!”They both sprang into their saddles, to the intense astonishment of the ponies, one of which made a bound and dashed off round the enclosure at full speed, while the other, upon which West was mounted, reared straight up, and, preserving its balance upon its hind legs, kept on snorting, while it sparred out with its fore hoofs as if striking at some imaginary enemy, till the rider brought his hand down heavily upon the restive beast’s neck. The blow acted like magic, for the pony dropped on all-fours directly, gave itself a shake as if to rid itself of saddle and rider, and thenuttered a loud neigh which brought its galloping companion alongside.“Humph!” ejaculated their new friend; “I needn’t trouble myself about your being able to manage your horses, my lads. Will these do?”“Splendidly, sir,” cried West.“There they are, then, at your service!” And, after a few directions to the Kaffirs about having them ready when wanted, the party left the enclosure and separated with a few friendly words, the despatch-bearers making once more for the Commandant’s quarters to report what they had done so far, and to obtain a pass which would ensure them a ready passage through the lines and by the outposts.They were soon ushered into the Commandant’s presence, and he nodded his satisfaction with the report of their proceedings before taking up a pen and writing a few lines upon an official sheet of paper.“That will clear you both going and returning,” said he, folding and handing the permit. “Now then, when do you start?”“Directly, sir,” said Ingleborough, who was the one addressed.“No,” said the Commandant. “You must wait a few hours. Of course it is important that the despatch be delivered as soon as possible; but you must lose time sooner than run risks. If you go now, you will be seen by the enemy and be having your horses shot down—perhaps share their fate. So be cautious, and now once more goodbye, my lads. I shall look forward to seeing you back with an answering despatch.”This was their dismissal, and they hurried away to have another look to their horses, and to see that they were well-fed, before obtaining a meal for themselves and a supply of food to store in their haversacks.“There’s nothing like a bit of foresight,” said Ingleborough. “We must eat, and going in search of food may mean capture and the failure of our mission.”The time was gliding rapidly on, the more quickly to West from the state of excitement he was in; but the only important thing he could afterwards remember was that twice over they ran against Anson, who seemed to be watching their actions, and the second time West drew his companion’s attention to the fact.“Wants to see us off,” said Ingleborough. “I shouldn’t be surprised when we come back to find that he has eluded Norton and gone.”“Where?” said West.“Oh, he’ll feel that his chance here is completely gone, and he’ll make for the Cape and take passage for England.”“If the Boers do not stop him.”“Of course,” replied Ingleborough. “It’s my impression that he has smuggled a lot of diamonds, though we couldn’t bring it home to him.”“I suppose it’s possible,” said West thoughtfully. “But isn’t it likely that he may make his way over to the enemy?”Ingleborough looked at the speaker sharply.“That’s not a bad idea of yours,” he said slowly; “but, if he does and he is afterwards caught, things might go very awkwardly for his lordship, and that flute of his will be for sale.”“Flute for sale? What do you mean? From poverty?—no one would employ him. Oh! I understand now. Horrible! You don’t think our people would shoot him?”“Perhaps not,” said Ingleborough coldly; “but they’d treat him as a rebel and a spy. But there, it’s pretty well time we started. Come along.”Within half an hour they were mounted and off on their perilous journey, passing outpost after outpost and having to make good use of their pass, till, just as it was getting dusk, they parted from an officer who rode out with them towards the Boers’ encircling lines.“There,” he said, “you’ve got the enemy before you, and you’d better give me your pass.”“Why?” said West sharply.“Because it has been a source of protection so far: the next time you are challenged it will be a danger.”“Of course,” said Ingleborough. “Give it up, Oliver.”“Or destroy it,” said the officer carelessly: “either will do.”“Thanks for the advice,” said West, and they shook hands and parted, the officer riding back to join his men.“You made him huffy by being suspicious,” said Ingleborough.“I’m sorry, but one can’t help being suspicious of everything and everybody at a time like this. What do you say about destroying the Commandant’s pass?”“I’m divided in my opinion.”“So am I,” said West. “One moment I think it best: the next I am for keeping it in case we fall into the hands of some of our own party. On the whole, I think we had better keep it and hide it. Let’s keep it till we are in danger.”“Chance it?” said Ingleborough laconically. “Very well; only don’t leave it till it is too late.”“I’ll mind,” said West, and, as they rode out over the open veldt and into the gloom of the falling night, they kept a sharp look-out till they had to trust more to their ears for notice of danger, taking care to speak only in a whisper, knowing as they did that at any moment they might receive a challenge from the foe.“What are you doing?” said Ingleborough suddenly, after trying to make out what his companion was doing. “Not going to eat yet, surely?”“No—only preparing for the time when I must. Look here.”“Too dark,” said Ingleborough, leaning towards his companion.“Very well, then, I’ll tell you: I’m making a sandwich.”“Absurd! What for?”“I’ll tell you. You can’t see, but this is what I’m doing. I’ve two slices of bread here, and I’m putting between them something that is not good food for Boers. That’s it. I’ve doubled the pass in half, and stuck it between two slices. If we have the bad luck to be taken prisoners I shall be very hungry, and begin eating the sandwich and the pass. I don’t suppose it will do me any harm.”“Capital idea,” said Ingleborough, laughing.“That’s done,” said West, replacing his paper sandwich in his haversack, and a few minutes later, as they still rode slowly on, Ingleborough spoke again.“What now?” he said.“Making another sandwich,” was the reply.“Another?”“Yes, of the Mafeking despatch.”“Ah, of course; but you will not eat that?”“Only in the last extremity.”“Good,” said Ingleborough, “and I hope we shall have no last extremes.”He had hardly spoken when a sharp challenge in Boer-Dutch rang out, apparently from about fifty yards to their left, and, as if in obedience to the demand, the two Basuto ponies the young men rode stopped suddenly.Ingleborough leaned down sidewise and placed his lips close to his companion’s ear.“Which is it to be?” he said. “One is as easy as the other—forward or back?”“One’s as safe as the other,” replied West, under his breath. “Forward.”They were in the act of pressing their horses’ sides to urge them on when there was a flash of light from the position of the man who had uttered the challenge, and almost immediately the humming, buzzing sound as of a large beetle whizzing by them in its nocturnal flight, and at the same moment there was the sharp crack of a rifle.

“Here, you two boys,” cried the director; “I’ve just heard of this wild project. Are you mad, West?”

“I hope not, sir.”

“But, my good lad, I really—I—that is—bless my soul! It’s very brave of you; but I don’t think I ought to let you go.”

“I heard you say, sir, that everyone ought to be ready to devote his life to the defence of the country.”

“Eh?” cried the director. “To be sure, yes, I did—in that speech I made to the volunteers; but then you’re not everybody, and—er—er—you see, what I said was in a speech, and sometimes one says more then than one quite means.”

“There’ll be no work doing in the office, sir,” said Ingleborough; “and I hope you will not place any obstacles in the way of our going.”

“Oh no, my dear boys! I feel that I must not; but I don’t like you to run such a terrible risk.”

“We must all run risks, sir,” said West gravely.

“And I beg your pardon: our time is up for seeing the Commandant,” said Ingleborough, referring to his watch.

“Yes, I heard you were to go to him,” said the director. “But it sounds very rash. There, go on, and come to me afterwards.”

They parted, and a few minutes later the young men were ushered into the Commandant’s room.

“Then you have not repented, my lads?” he said, smiling.

“No, sir,” replied West, speaking for both; “we are quite ready to go.”

“Then I must take you both at your word. But once more I give you both the opportunity to draw back if you like.”

“Thank you, sir,” replied West; “but if you will trust us we will take the despatch.”

“Very well,” said the Commandant, turning very stern and business-like. “Here is the despatch. It is a very small packet, and I leave it to your own ingenuity to dispose of it where it cannot be found if you have the bad luck to be captured. It must be sewn up in your pockets, or fitted into your hats, or hidden in some way or other. I leave it to you, only telling you to destroy it sooner than it should fall into the enemy’s hands.”

“We’ll consult together, sir, and decide what to do,” replied West, looking frankly in the officer’s eyes; “but—I have heard of such a thing being done, sir—”

“What do you mean?” said the Commandant sternly.

“That to ensure a despatch not falling into the enemy’s hands the bearer learned its contents carefully and then burned it.”

“Hah! Yes. That would make it safe,” cried the officer, with a satisfied look. “But, no, it could not be done in this case. I have no right to open the despatch, and I do not know its contents. You must take it as it is, and in the event of disaster burn or bury it. Destroy it somehow. It must not fall into the enemy’s hands. Here.”

“I understand, sir,” said West, taking the thick letter in its envelope, as it was extended to him; and the Commandant heaved a sigh as if of relief on being freed of a terrible incubus.

“There,” he said, “I shall tie you down to no restrictions other than these. That packet must somehow be placed in the hands of the Colonel Commandant at Mafeking. I do not like to name failure, for you are both young, strong, and evidently full of resource; but once more: if you are driven too hard, burn or destroy the packet. Now then, what do you want in the way of arms? You have your rifles, and you had better take revolvers, which you can have with ammunition from the military stores. Do you want money?”

“No, sir; we shall require no money to signify,” said Ingleborough quietly. “But we must have the best horses that can be obtained.”

“Those you must provide for yourselves. Take the pick of the place, and the order shall be made for payment. My advice is that you select as good a pair of Basuto ponies as you can obtain. They will be the best for your purpose. There, I have no more to say but ‘God speed you,’ for it is a matter of life and death.”

He shook hands warmly with both, and, on glancing back as soon as they were outside, they saw the Commandant watching them from the window, whence he waved his hand.

“He thinks we shall never get back again, Noll,” said Ingleborough, smiling; “but we’ll deceive him. Now then, what next?”

“We must see Mr Allan,” replied West.

“Then forward,” cried Ingleborough. “We must see old Norton too before we go, or he’ll feel huffed. Let’s go round by his place.”

They found the superintendent in and ready to shake hands with them both warmly.

“Most plucky!” he kept on saying. “Wish I could go with you.”

“I wish you could, and with a hundred of your men to back us up,” said West laughingly.

“You ought to have a couple of thousand to do any good!” said the superintendent: “but even they would not ensure your delivering your despatch. By rights there ought to be only one of you. That would increase your chance. But it would be lonely work. What can I do for you before you go?”

“Only come and see us off this evening.”

“I will,” was the reply, “and wish you safe back.”

“And, I say,” said Ingleborough: “keep your eye on that scoundrel.”

“Anson? Oh yes: trust me! I haven’t done with that gentleman yet.”

Directly after they were on their way to the director’s room, and as they neared the door they could hear him pacing impatiently up and down as if suffering from extreme anxiety.

The step ceased as they reached and gave a tap at the door, and Mr Allan opened to them himself.

“Well,” he said, “has the Commandant decided to send you?”

“Yes, sir,” replied West.

“I’m very sorry, and I’m very glad; for it must be done, and I know no one more likely to get through the Boer lines than you two. Look here, you’ll want money. Take these. No questions, no hesitation, my lads; buckle on the belts beneath your waistcoats. Money is the sinews of war, and you are going where you will want sinews and bones, bones and sinews too.”

In his eagerness the director helped the young men to buckle on the two cash-belts he had given them.

“There,” he said; “that is all I can do for you but wish you good luck. By the time you come back we shall have sent the Boers to the right-about, unless they have captured Kimberley and seized the diamond-mines. Then, of course, my occupation will be gone. Goodbye. Not hard-hearted, my boys; but rather disposed to be soft. There, goodbye.”

“Now then,” said West, “we’ve no time to spare. What are we going to do about horses?”

“We’ve the money at our back,” replied Ingleborough, “and that will do anything. We are on Government service too, so that if we cannot pay we can pick out what we like and then report to headquarters, when they will be requisitioned.”

But the task proved easy enough, for they had not gone far in the direction of the mines when they met another of the directors, who greeted them both warmly.

“I’ve heard all about it, my lads,” he said, “and it’s very brave of you both.”

“Please don’t say that any more, sir,” cried West appealingly, “for all we have done yet is talk. If we do get the despatch through there will be some praise earned, but at present we’ve done nothing.”

“And we’re both dreadfully modest, sir,” said Ingleborough.

“Bah! you’re not great girls,” cried the director. “But you are not off yet, and you can’t walk.”

“No, sir,” said West; “we are in search of horses—good ones that we can trust to hold out.”

“Very well; why don’t you go to someone who has been buying up horses for our mounted men?”

“Because we don’t know of any such person,” said West. “Do you?”

“To be sure I do, my lad, and here he is.”

“You, sir?” cried Ingleborough excitedly. “Why, of course; I heard that you were, and forgot in all the bustle and excitement of the coming siege. Then you can let us have two? The Commandant will give an order for the payment.”

“Hang the Commandant’s payments!” cried the director testily. “When young fellows like you are ready to give their lives in the Queen’s service, do you think men like we are can’t afford to mount them? Come along with me, and you shall have the pick of the sturdy cob ponies I have. They’re rough, and almost unbroken—what sort of horsemen are you?”

“Very bad, sir,” replied Ingleborough: “no style at all. We ride astride though.”

“Well, so I suppose,” said the director, laughing, “and with your faces to the nag’s head. If you tell me you look towards the tail I shall not believe you. But seriously, can you stick on a horse tightly when at full gallop?”

“Oliver West can, sir,” replied Ingleborough. “He’s a regular centaur foal.”

“Nonsense! Don’t flatter,” cried West. “I can ride a bit, sir; but Ingleborough rides as if he were part of a horse. He’s accustomed to taking long rides across the veldt every morning.”

“Oh, we can ride, sir,” said Ingleborough coolly; “but whether we can ride well enough to distance the Boers has to be proved.”

“I’ll mount you, my boys, on such a pair of ponies as the Boers haven’t amongst them,” said the director warmly. “Do you know my stables—the rough ones and enclosure I have had made?”

“We heard something about the new stabling near the mine, sir,” said West; “but we’ve been too busy to pay much heed.”

“Come and pay heed now, then.”

The speaker led the way towards the great mine buildings, and halted at a gate in a newly set-up fence of corrugated-iron, passing through which their eyes were gladdened by the sight of about a dozen of the rough, sturdy little cobs bred by the Basutos across country, and evidently under the charge of a couple of Kaffirs, who came hurrying up at the sight of their “baas,” as they termed him.

Here Ingleborough soon displayed the knowledge he had picked up in connection with horses by selecting two clever-looking muscular little steeds, full of spirit and go, but quite ready to prove how little they had been broken in, and promising plenty of work to their riders if they expected to keep in their saddles.

“Be too fresh for you?” said the owner.

“We shall soon take the freshness out of them, poor things!” said Ingleborough. “Would you mind having them bridled and saddled, sir?”

The order was given, and, after a good deal of trouble and narrowly escaping being kicked, the Kaffirs brought the pair selected up to where the despatch-riders were standing with the director.

Ingleborough smiled, and then bade the two Kaffirs to stand on the far side of the ponies, which began to resent the Kaffirs’ flank movements by sidling up towards the two young men.

“Ready?” said Ingleborough, in a low, sharp tone.

“Yes.”

“Mount!”

They both sprang into their saddles, to the intense astonishment of the ponies, one of which made a bound and dashed off round the enclosure at full speed, while the other, upon which West was mounted, reared straight up, and, preserving its balance upon its hind legs, kept on snorting, while it sparred out with its fore hoofs as if striking at some imaginary enemy, till the rider brought his hand down heavily upon the restive beast’s neck. The blow acted like magic, for the pony dropped on all-fours directly, gave itself a shake as if to rid itself of saddle and rider, and thenuttered a loud neigh which brought its galloping companion alongside.

“Humph!” ejaculated their new friend; “I needn’t trouble myself about your being able to manage your horses, my lads. Will these do?”

“Splendidly, sir,” cried West.

“There they are, then, at your service!” And, after a few directions to the Kaffirs about having them ready when wanted, the party left the enclosure and separated with a few friendly words, the despatch-bearers making once more for the Commandant’s quarters to report what they had done so far, and to obtain a pass which would ensure them a ready passage through the lines and by the outposts.

They were soon ushered into the Commandant’s presence, and he nodded his satisfaction with the report of their proceedings before taking up a pen and writing a few lines upon an official sheet of paper.

“That will clear you both going and returning,” said he, folding and handing the permit. “Now then, when do you start?”

“Directly, sir,” said Ingleborough, who was the one addressed.

“No,” said the Commandant. “You must wait a few hours. Of course it is important that the despatch be delivered as soon as possible; but you must lose time sooner than run risks. If you go now, you will be seen by the enemy and be having your horses shot down—perhaps share their fate. So be cautious, and now once more goodbye, my lads. I shall look forward to seeing you back with an answering despatch.”

This was their dismissal, and they hurried away to have another look to their horses, and to see that they were well-fed, before obtaining a meal for themselves and a supply of food to store in their haversacks.

“There’s nothing like a bit of foresight,” said Ingleborough. “We must eat, and going in search of food may mean capture and the failure of our mission.”

The time was gliding rapidly on, the more quickly to West from the state of excitement he was in; but the only important thing he could afterwards remember was that twice over they ran against Anson, who seemed to be watching their actions, and the second time West drew his companion’s attention to the fact.

“Wants to see us off,” said Ingleborough. “I shouldn’t be surprised when we come back to find that he has eluded Norton and gone.”

“Where?” said West.

“Oh, he’ll feel that his chance here is completely gone, and he’ll make for the Cape and take passage for England.”

“If the Boers do not stop him.”

“Of course,” replied Ingleborough. “It’s my impression that he has smuggled a lot of diamonds, though we couldn’t bring it home to him.”

“I suppose it’s possible,” said West thoughtfully. “But isn’t it likely that he may make his way over to the enemy?”

Ingleborough looked at the speaker sharply.

“That’s not a bad idea of yours,” he said slowly; “but, if he does and he is afterwards caught, things might go very awkwardly for his lordship, and that flute of his will be for sale.”

“Flute for sale? What do you mean? From poverty?—no one would employ him. Oh! I understand now. Horrible! You don’t think our people would shoot him?”

“Perhaps not,” said Ingleborough coldly; “but they’d treat him as a rebel and a spy. But there, it’s pretty well time we started. Come along.”

Within half an hour they were mounted and off on their perilous journey, passing outpost after outpost and having to make good use of their pass, till, just as it was getting dusk, they parted from an officer who rode out with them towards the Boers’ encircling lines.

“There,” he said, “you’ve got the enemy before you, and you’d better give me your pass.”

“Why?” said West sharply.

“Because it has been a source of protection so far: the next time you are challenged it will be a danger.”

“Of course,” said Ingleborough. “Give it up, Oliver.”

“Or destroy it,” said the officer carelessly: “either will do.”

“Thanks for the advice,” said West, and they shook hands and parted, the officer riding back to join his men.

“You made him huffy by being suspicious,” said Ingleborough.

“I’m sorry, but one can’t help being suspicious of everything and everybody at a time like this. What do you say about destroying the Commandant’s pass?”

“I’m divided in my opinion.”

“So am I,” said West. “One moment I think it best: the next I am for keeping it in case we fall into the hands of some of our own party. On the whole, I think we had better keep it and hide it. Let’s keep it till we are in danger.”

“Chance it?” said Ingleborough laconically. “Very well; only don’t leave it till it is too late.”

“I’ll mind,” said West, and, as they rode out over the open veldt and into the gloom of the falling night, they kept a sharp look-out till they had to trust more to their ears for notice of danger, taking care to speak only in a whisper, knowing as they did that at any moment they might receive a challenge from the foe.

“What are you doing?” said Ingleborough suddenly, after trying to make out what his companion was doing. “Not going to eat yet, surely?”

“No—only preparing for the time when I must. Look here.”

“Too dark,” said Ingleborough, leaning towards his companion.

“Very well, then, I’ll tell you: I’m making a sandwich.”

“Absurd! What for?”

“I’ll tell you. You can’t see, but this is what I’m doing. I’ve two slices of bread here, and I’m putting between them something that is not good food for Boers. That’s it. I’ve doubled the pass in half, and stuck it between two slices. If we have the bad luck to be taken prisoners I shall be very hungry, and begin eating the sandwich and the pass. I don’t suppose it will do me any harm.”

“Capital idea,” said Ingleborough, laughing.

“That’s done,” said West, replacing his paper sandwich in his haversack, and a few minutes later, as they still rode slowly on, Ingleborough spoke again.

“What now?” he said.

“Making another sandwich,” was the reply.

“Another?”

“Yes, of the Mafeking despatch.”

“Ah, of course; but you will not eat that?”

“Only in the last extremity.”

“Good,” said Ingleborough, “and I hope we shall have no last extremes.”

He had hardly spoken when a sharp challenge in Boer-Dutch rang out, apparently from about fifty yards to their left, and, as if in obedience to the demand, the two Basuto ponies the young men rode stopped suddenly.

Ingleborough leaned down sidewise and placed his lips close to his companion’s ear.

“Which is it to be?” he said. “One is as easy as the other—forward or back?”

“One’s as safe as the other,” replied West, under his breath. “Forward.”

They were in the act of pressing their horses’ sides to urge them on when there was a flash of light from the position of the man who had uttered the challenge, and almost immediately the humming, buzzing sound as of a large beetle whizzing by them in its nocturnal flight, and at the same moment there was the sharp crack of a rifle.

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