till now, and I fancy Aletta won't have very much more to say to you
when she hears about it all."

"Oh, but look here," went on Kenneth, still affecting alarm. "You're
not going to give the show away, old sportsman. Dash it all, it isn't
cricket!"

"Not, eh? You just wait and see," jeered the other. "Aha, you seem a
bit scared out of your high and mighty English `side' now. You chose to
come between me and Aletta. We grew up together, and I always looked
upon her as mine! She would have been but for you. Curse you! I could
shoot you now as you stand there," growled the Dutchman, fingering the
breech of his rifle. "But I won't, because I want to see Aletta turn
away from you in scorn, as she will, directly. That will be a far
greater punishment for you--a far better revenge for me."

"By Jove!" said Kenneth to himself. "There's sultry weather sticking
out for Colvin, anyhow." This young Boer was evidently a discomfited
rival--his own words let that be understood. Then, with lightning
swiftness, two aspects of the situation flashed through his scheming
brain. He could let the delusion which the other was under as to his
identity continue, in which case Colvin would probably appeal to May
herself to disprove his alleged visits. But then the two would be
brought together again, and that was just what he did not want. Or he
could frankly offer his aid to this Dutchman, who would certainly jump
at any method, however unscrupulous, by which to discomfit his rival.
Colvin would assuredly try reprisals, and in that case the probabilities
were he would be shot by the Boers, which was just what he did want. It
would end matters comfortably for all concerned. So he decided upon the
latter plan.

"See here, my friend," he said, coolly. "All this time you have been
holding on hard to the wrong end of the stick. My name is not Colvin."

"Not--not Colvin Kershaw?" ejaculated the Boer, open-mouthed.

"No. Devil a bit is it!"

"Now you are lying. There is only one Colvin Kershaw. There cannot be
two!"

"Quite right. But I am not that one. There may be other Kershaws,
though. Eh! Try again."

"Are you his brother?" said the Boer, suspiciously.

"Well, I am--er--a relative of his. Nor are you the only person who has
taken me for him. The fact is, we are as like as two peas. I don't
wonder you have been obligingly giving me all your plans. No, don't be
afraid. I have no wish to upset them. On