What is the use of a college education if I get the funks
over old exploded superstitions only good enough for those two pigs who
have just gone out? I wish they had left me something in this bottle
all the same," holding it up, as though still vainly hoping, and then
pitching it outside the tent. "Wheels!" listening a moment. "The
_predikant_ must be arriving. Well, much good may _he_ do."

He could hear the trap draw up at Gideon Roux' house over the way and
the sound of voices, could see a light or two, as the people were
outspanning. Then he re-entered his tent, and again his thoughts
reverted to the doomed man. "Within three days death will find you
out," the latter had said, and again Adrian's heart failed him as he
remembered how likely of fulfilment this prophecy was. Out yonder in
the low country the British were advancing, and now their own forces
were lying massed ready to give battle. "Within three days!"

A voice outside, drawing nearer, broke in upon his reverie.

"That is his tent," it was saying. "We will see if he is there.
Adrian!" and with the call the flap of the tent was parted and a bearded
face appeared. "I have brought you a visitor, Adrian."

The man made way for a second person, a tall, female figure wearing a
long cloak.

"Aletta!" cried Adrian in amazement, as a throwing back of the hood
revealed the features. "Well, and what brings you up here?" he went on
in a hard tone, trying to hide the mortification, the jealous rage he
was feeling.

"I am here to save you from blood-guilt--to save you from heaping a
black and cruel murder on your soul," answered the girl, her eyes
shining bright and stedfast upon his face as she stood confronting him.

"No, no. You have come to save this faithless hound--this lover of
yours. But you can't. We are taking too good care of him for that,"
sneered Adrian, stung by jealousy and hatred. No conscience qualms
inconvenienced him now.

"But I must say, Aletta," he went on, "that I see you here with very
great surprise. After what you saw--saw with your own eyes mind--at
Johannesburg I wonder you can give this fellow a further thought."

"I will not have him murdered. Listen, Adrian. _You_ let Frank Wenlock
escape in order to fix the blame upon Colvin and so compass his death.
Yes, you ought to be in this place."

For the life of him the other could not repress the amazement, dismay,
guilt, which leaped into his face. Aletta spoke wit