of a book. She, keenly observant, noticed that he
greeted the other three with the easy friendliness of people who know
each other well, but without the faintest difference of tone or
inflection in talking to each and all of them.

"Why, Mr Kershaw, we were thinking you were dead," said Mrs Wenlock,
in her cordial, breezy way. "It is a long time since we saw you last."

"So Frank was saying, Mrs Wenlock. But I am not. Death has not given
me a call yet."

None there knew how very near truth their jesting words came--save one.
One knew it, and with her Colvin, for the life of him, could not help
exchanging a look. It was an exchange, and, swiftly as it flashed
between them in its fulness of meaning, it did not go unobserved--by
one.

"Hallo, Colvin, you've got your rifle along this time," cried Frank,
through the open window, who was examining the piece. "Why, I thought
you never carried anything but a shot-gun down here."

"I don't generally. But I might be going up into the Wildschutsberg,"
and again he brought his eyes round to those of Aletta. "Now and then
you get a long shot at a reebok up there."

"Why, this is the same old gun you had up in Matabeleland," went on
Frank, sighting the weapon and pointing and recovering it. "Nothing
like these Lee-Metfords with the Martini block. By George, Miss De la
Rey, how he used to make the niggers skip in the Matopos with this same
pea-shooter!"

"Yes?" said Aletta, brightly, with simulated interest, but with a dire
chill at her heart. What if this weapon should come to be pointed at
others than dark-skinned barbarians, and that soon? Truth to tell for
some occult reason the patriotic enthusiasm had cooled a little of late.

"Adrian had one of the new guns round at our place the other day," said
Jan. "A Mauser. He said it would shoot three miles. It is wonderful.
I can hardly believe it."

"Well, try a shot or two out of that, Jan," said Colvin. "Only leave a
few cartridges, in case I should come in for a good chance, riding
along."

Jan did--making some excellent practice, at ant-heaps scattered at
varying distances over the veldt. Then his sisters declared that he had
better see about inspanning, for it was time they were getting home.

"I shall have to be moving soon myself," said Colvin. "I want to be in
Schalkburg to-night."

"In Schalkburg?" echoed Mrs Wenlock. "Why, you are in a hurry--and we
haven't seen you for such a time."

"Yes;