f
great size and perfect make.

"Bravo!" cried the General excitedly. And then: "I'm afraid, Mr Dealer
in mealies and corn, the judgment will go dead against you. Have you
done?" he continued, turning to Ingleborough.

"Not quite, sir!" replied the latter. "Come, West, don't let me get all
the credit for unmasking the scoundrel."

"Look here," cried Anson viciously, "I protest against being called a
scoundrel! Those are my private savings, invested in what were bought
honestly."

"I think, sir, you had better keep your tongue silent until we have
quite done!" said the General.

Then, turning to the two young men, he bade them go on.

"Come, West," said Ingleborough, "you suspect where our friend who is no
scoundrel has hidden more diamonds, do you not?"

"Well, yes," said West, rather unwillingly, for the whole business
disgusted him.

"Speak out, then! I am sure it is in the same place as I think he has
more plunder; but you shall have your turn now."

"No, no; go on," said West warmly.

"If you suspect that there is some place unsearched," said the General
sternly, "speak out, sir."

"Then I believe, sir," said West, "that if the water-cask that is slung
under the wagon is opened you will find a number of diamonds hidden
there!"

There was a burst of excitement at this, everyone present speaking save
the sergeant, who did a bit of pantomime which meant: "Of course!" for
he bent down and gave his leg a sounding slap.

"Yes," said Ingleborough; "that is where I meant."

"Why, I thought o' that once," cried the sergeant, "and then I says to
myself: `That's too stoopid a place; no one would hide diamonds where
they're sure to be found'; but I crept underneath on my hands and knees
and gave it a swing so as to make the water wash about inside. That
satisfied me, and I came away."

"You have hit the mark, Mr West," said the General, smiling. "There is
no doubt about it! Look at the prisoner's face!"

Anson tried hard to pull it back into its normal shape, for he had been
gazing at West with a malignant look that meant anything from a
rifle-shot to a stab with a bayonet.

"Now, sergeant, see if you can do better this time!" cried the General,
as Anson's mouth shut with a click.

Then he stood fast with his brow wrinkled and his hands clenched,
waiting expectantly with the rest of those present until the cask was
set free from the raw-hide reins by which it was slung under the hind
part of the