ny like
to engage their own prospectors," he demurred.

"Yes, and I believe last time you recommended one of them," replied the
professor blandly. "Last time the company made a colossal mistake,
prospectors, experts, representatives, all were rogues! Two lie dead
back there in the dunes and four lie in gaol! I want no more of that
kind. And, Herr Hauptmann, if I go, this man goes, if there is a man in
the country who can find diamonds there, it is he."

"That's a fact," said Dick to himself, as he realized all the professor
was doing for him.

"And now, Herr Hauptmann," continued the old man, as they reached the
agent's office, "pay Sydney his cheque and double it, I will answer to
the company."

So Dick got his cheque, and his discharge, and making a straight line
for the bank he changed the former, without loss of time. He had seen
cheques stopped before, and trusted Hauptmann just about as much as he
had trusted the Gilderman outfit.

Then he went to the hotel, where the professor's belongings had been
dumped in the biggest room the building boasted.

Here the scientist called him in, and locking the door, sat down on the
bed and looked at him.

"Young and strong, and honest, you should become rich in this country,
where honest men are so scarce," he said kindly. "Herr Sydney, or
rather do I call you Dick, for you are young enough to be my son, you
heard what I told the agent? Well, I go to Johannesburg in a few hours,
but I shall come back, I am sure, though whether the company sends me
straight back, or whether they await the expiration of the syndicate's
lease, I cannot say, financiers do strange things, and who knows what
they will do?"

"But when I come, you go too, and there will be an opportunity for you
such as few men have. You will know for certain beforehand where the
stones lie rich, you can purchase shares as soon as flotation is
effected, knowing well they will become valuable, you can make your
fortune."

"But I have no money," said Dick, "my cheque won't last long."

"You see that box," asked the professor, pointing to a certain black,
padlocked trunk amongst his baggage.

"I haven't forgotten it," said Dick feelingly.

"Well, the wherewithal to pave your way to fortune lies in that."

"Snakes!" exclaimed Dick, with a lively recollection of the last time
that box had been opened.

The professor moved towards it. Dick moved towards the door.

"Wait, man, wait!" said the professor. "