ms, and
the face of the veldt was washed smooth by torrential rains. No spoor
to be taken up."

"By Jove, it's a mysterious affair," said Elvesdon. "How long ago was
it, by the way?"

"Eighteen or nineteen years. He was arrested and kept in the _tronk_
for some weeks, while every hole and corner of his farm was searched.
They even dug up the cattle-kraals in search of remains--you know,
Elvesdon, like that Moat Farm business in England a year or two ago--
only of course in this case they found nothing. Thornhill half laughed
when he was told of this, only saying that he had never for a moment
imagined they would. Well of course, there was only one way out; for no
one knows better than yourself that a man can't be put upon his trial
for murder until it is proved that a murder has been committed, which in
this case it seemed impossible to do. So our friend was turned loose
again."

"Of course. But what of the general opinion. Was it believed he'd done
it?"

"That's just how it was. Not a man Jack or woman Jill but was firmly
convinced of it, and for a long time he was practically boycotted. For
the matter of that, even now they don't get many visitors you may have
noticed."

"Yes. That has occurred to me. By the way. Vine, what about the
children. How did the suspicion affect them as they grew up? Did they
believe it?"

"The boys didn't, but the strange and sad part of it is that the girl
did, and does still."

Elvesdon started.

"And--does still?" he echoed. "I see."

Now the situation stood explained. Edala's strange behaviour, the cold
aloofness with which she treated her father, except at rare intervals.
Heavens, what a ghastly shadow to lie between them! Yet, as it did so
he, perhaps her behaviour was not altogether unnatural.

"The boys didn't believe it?" he repeated.

"No--never. They grew up firmly refusing to believe it. They were fine
youngsters. Jim, poor chap, was killed in the Matopos in '96. He was
the eldest. Hyland is broking at the Rand. By the way, Thornhill was
telling me the other day that he expected him down on a visit."

"Yes, I know. There was someone else he was expecting, an English
relative. She wrote to him from Durban, inviting herself, and he wired
her back to roll up as soon as she liked. Then he heard nothing more
about her. By the _Lord_, I wonder," he broke off. "I wonder if she
got hold of this yam about him, and concluded to stop away. It