the contrary, I am going to
offer you my help towards carrying them out."

It was time to make some such declaration. The Boer's hand had been
stealing towards his revolver holster, and his face was fell with a
deadly meaning. It was almost dark, and the road lonely and deserted.
Dead men tell no tales, and a dead Englishman found there in the morning
would cause no concern whatever to the authorities.

"What help can you give me, and why should you wish to?" he said
dubiously, his ingrained suspicion forbidding him to trust the other
overmuch.

"It can bring about the very thing that would have happened had I been
the real Colvin. For my motive--well, that is my business. I may or
may not tell it you later, but somehow I think not."

"Do you hate him, then?" said the Dutchman, still suspiciously.

"Not in the least. I am perfectly indifferent to him. But he stands in
my way, and must get out of it. That is all."

"He must get out of my way, too," said the other, with a dark scowl.

"Quite so. And if I help you to get him out of your way, you will help
me to get him out of mine?"

"Can I trust you?"

"Well, you've got to," answered Kenneth cheerfully, for he saw that the
other was nibbling around the bait. "Don't be afraid, though. You
won't regret it; and now, excuse me, but I'll be hanged if I know
exactly who you are."

"My name is Adrian De la Rey," replied the other. "And yours?"

"Kenneth Kershaw. And now we know each other, there's no need to stand
talking out here where we may be overheard, so come along to my
diggings, and we'll find something to drink, and have the show to
ourselves for weaving a plan of campaign. Say though, it was a
fortunate thing you happened up when you did. Those niggers were one
too many for me."

Kenneth's quarters were not very much further on, and were situated in
the abode of a Polish Jew who had retired to the back premises. At
sound of the voices and horse hoofs, this worthy put out his head, then
at sight of the armed and mounted burgher, scurried back like a
frightened rabbit into its burrow.

"It's all right, Svinsky," called out Kenneth. "Roll up, man. Nobody's
going to eat you or commandeer you."

Thus reassured, the child of Israel came forth, bowing and cringing.

"Goot evening, sairs. Let dot I shall take de Police chentleman's
'orse. I haf a shtable und still some forage."

"Right," said Kenneth. "After that, Svinsky, we want the ho