You can now take your place again," said
the Commandant. Then to Colvin, "What have you to say? Now we have
heard all the witnesses, what have you to say?"

"Very little, Mynheer. This is a plot. Adrian De la Rey has a grudge--
a bitter grudge--against me, the reason of which does not matter. I
believe he has manufactured the whole of this accusation. I believe he
himself let Wenlock escape so as to fasten it on to me. Gideon Roux
owes me money, and therefore would naturally turn against me. His
_vrouw_ looked frightened enough to satisfy even you that she was
talking under compulsion. Hermanus Delport is a friend of and related
to Gideon Roux. As for the two men who were on guard over Frank
Wenlock, I believe they are under some extraordinary delusion and were
speaking the truth as far as they knew. Morkel has stated the burden of
our conversation quite correctly. But there is one witness we have not
heard, and that is the man who turned me back into my tent last night."

"There is no such man," retorted Schoeman shortly. "It is all a
fabrication. Well, then, that is enough. You came into our camp, and
enjoyed our hospitality."

"No, I was brought here by force," interrupted Colvin.

"Still, still! Do not interrupt. You then took advantage of your
position here to commit a hostile act--an act of hostility against the
Republics, which have sheltered and shielded you--by aiding and abetting
the escape of a prisoner."

"That is not true," retorted Colvin. "Before God, in whose presence we
stand, I know no more of Frank Wenlock's escape, have had no more to do
with it, than the President himself."

"Do not add lying and blasphemy to your offence," said Schoeman
unctuously. "For the crime of which ample testimony has convicted you,
you will take the escaped prisoner's place. You will be shot at
sundown."

A gasp went up from the listeners. The proceedings had impressed them
deeply.

"Not yet," said Colvin, in a loud firm voice. "I appeal to the
President. In the presence of you all I appeal for justice to His
Honour the President of the Transvaal Republic."

Schoeman smiled coldly. "His Honour is not _our_ President--not yet.
We are not of the Transvaal Republic. Do you wish to converse with a
minister of the Gospel to prepare you to meet your Creator?" he added,
still unctuously.

"Yes," answered Colvin, unwilling to let slip any potential loophole,
however minute. "Mynheer Albertyn