"The time was ripe--therefore Robert MacGregor is no more.
The name and character served their purpose," he continued, assuming a
boastful tone. "It was I who warned von Lindenfelt's column when it
stood a good chance of being cut off at Gwelba kopje. Again it is to
my credit that a detachment of our forces was not ambushed at Zwarte
kloof. I covered my tracks very effectively, did I not, Herr Oberst?
Himmel. I have news for you, Max. The brother of your personal enemy,
Rupert Wilmshurst, is with the English forces operating against us.
Several times I have spoken to him."

"Has he any suspicion?" asked the hauptmann anxiously.

"None at all," replied von Gobendorff. "It was easy to tell him a
plausible tale. And how fares the interfering Englishman, Rupert
Wilmshurst?"

"We still have him in close confinement up in the Karewenda Geberge,"
replied the hauptmann carelessly.

"A personal matter?" enquired Oberst von Lindenfelt.

"The accursed Englishman struck me a blow because I thought fit to
chastise a thieving native woman," replied von Argerlich. "That was
when the fellow was still prowling round to find the ammunition which
we buried in readiness for the present time. Our good friend Ulrich
trapped him."

"Why didn't you shoot the Englishman as soon as I had departed for
South-West Africa?" enquired Ulrich von Gobendorff. "It would have
been a simple solution to the difficulty, for dead men tell no tales."

"I would have done so," replied the hauptmann, "but for this reason.
There were hundreds of natives who saw him taken away under arrest. If
things go wrong with us they will most certainly inform the English.
Also I do not wish to be a subject for reprisals, as I hear our foes
are adopting that attitude. If we are to be on the losing side it pays
us to walk circumspectly. By the bye, have you heard anything lately
of your brother, Ernst?"

"Not for many months," replied Ulrich von Gobendorff. "The last time I
received indirect tidings that he was doing good work in England. It
will take a very smart man to catch Ernst. He is one of the most wily
Secret Service Agents in the employ of the German Imperial Government."

Oberst von Lindenfelt having dismissed the troops the three Germans
adjourned to the hauptmann's quarters, where over the remains of the
bottle of spirits conversation was resumed.

"Tell me how you gave the Englishman the slip, Ulrich," asked von
Argerlich.

"It was q