erfect right to kill you on
their side of the line which cuts through the middle."

I made some remark to the effect that I presumed that the line
had in fact ceased to exist at all, as the Basuto territory had
practically become British; after which we strolled back to the
house. Walking quietly between the tall rose hedges and without
speaking, for each of us was preoccupied with his own thoughts,
suddenly we came upon a very pretty scene.

We had left Anscombe and Heda seated side by side on the stoep.
They were still there, but much closer together. In fact his
arms were round her, and they were kissing each other in a
remarkably whole-hearted way. About this there could be no
mistake, since the rimpi-strung couch on which they sat was
immediately under the hanging lamp--a somewhat unfortunate
situation for such endearments. But what did they think of
hanging lamps or any other lights, save those of their own eyes,
they who were content to kiss and murmur words of passion as
though they were as much alone as Adam and Eve in Eden? What did
they think either of the serpent coiled about the bole of this
tree of knowledge whereof they had just plucked the ripe and
maddening fruit?

By a mutual instinct Marnham and I withdrew ourselves, very
gently indeed, purposing to skirt round the house and enter it
from behind, or to be seized with a fit of coughing at the gate,
or to do something to announce our presence at a convenient
distance. When we had gone a little way we heard a crash in the
bushes.

"Another of those cursed baboons robbing the garden," remarked
Marnham reflectively.

"I think he is going to rob the house also," I replied, turning
to point to something dark that seemed to be leaping up on to the
verandah.

Next moment we heard Heda utter a little cry of alarm, and a man
say in a low fierce voice--

"So I have caught you at last, have I!"

"The doctor has returned from his business rounds sooner than was
expected, and I think that we had better join the party," I
remarked, and made a bee line for the stoep, Marnham following
me.

I think that I arrived just in time to prevent mischief. There,
with a revolver in his hand, stood Rodd, tall and formidable, his
dark face looking like that of Satan himself, a very monument of
rage and jealousy. There in front of him on the couch sat Heda,
grasping its edge with her fingers, her cheeks as pale as a sheet
and her eyes shining. By her side w