" was chorussed.

"Why, you two will have to join the regulars!" said the General. "We
can't have men like you for volunteers! Think it over, and, if you
decide to join, come to me, and I'll see what I can do! Now then, don't
want to be rude; but I have no time for ordinary visitors. You sent
word in that you wanted to see me on important business. What is it?"

"You speak," said Ingleborough, and West began.

"We want to know about the prisoner taken that day, sir--the man who
said he was a Boer."

"I remember," cried the General. "I have him safe."

"When is he to be tried, sir?"

"Can't say; he will be handed over to the authorities who see to such
things now. You said he was a renegade who had joined the Boers."

"Yes, sir, after being charged with illicit-diamond-dealing with the
Kaffirs working at the great Kimberley mines; and we want you to give
orders for the wagon he had with him to be searched."

"His wagon searched?" cried the General. "How am I to know which wagon
he had?"

"The sergeant knows where it is, sir," replied West; "and we could
recognise it directly."

"But why do you want it searched--what for?"

"For diamonds, sir, that he brought away from Kimberley, and which you
have brought back."

"H'm! Diamonds, eh? This sounds interesting!" said the General. "You
think he has some there?"

"We both believe he has, sir, and of great value."

"What do you say, gentlemen?"

"Oh, let's have the search made by all means!" cried one of the
officers, laughing. "It may mean salvage and loot, and all sorts of
good things!"

"Very well! Take the matter up, and I'll see the search made! Let the
prisoner be present, of course. I'll be ready in half-an-hour."

Punctually to the minute the General was ready, and he walked down
through the temporary camp to where the wagon stood among scores of
others, while the sergeant and four men stood by with Anson, who looked
shifty and uncomfortable, wincing suddenly as he caught sight of West
and Ingleborough, and then gazing sharply about at the mounted Lancers
on duty as patrols, for the prisoners were many, and there had been
several attempts at escape.

The General looked at him sharply, and then at the wagon.

"Is that your wagon, prisoner?"

"It was till you took it!" replied the young man surlily.

"What do you say, sergeant?"

"Yes, sir," answered the sergeant, with military brevity. "I marked it
with my knife the day that i