over, and we shan't be home much before dark as it is."

But there were two upon whom his carelessness did not altogether
impose--Edala and her father. The girl, naturally sharp-witted as she
was, had not failed to note the ever so slight involuntary start which
had escaped him on the perusal of the missive, while Thornhill took in
by instinct that something was wrong. Both, however, forebore to take
any outward notice of the fact: for which he was devoutly thankful, for
at all costs he must avoid alarming the weaker ones of the party. He
would have given much for an opportunity of taking Thornhill into
counsel, but this would have had the very effect he was anxious to
avoid.

"There's an official matter I want to get home and look into as soon as
I can," he explained carelessly. "Here, Parry. You can ride on and say
I'm coming."

He took the young Police trooper apart, as they walked.

"Look here," he said, "and attend carefully. Go down to the camp as
fast as you can walk--can _walk_, mind, not run--and get the horses
saddled up as soon as you possibly can; ours first, you understand, not
the boys': and see that the girths are tight enough. Then all of you
bring them out here to meet us; and every minute you save in doing it is
a minute gained. You understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"If anything happens use your own judgment, but we must have the horses
as soon as ever we can, yet you must not run or show any sign of hurry.
It'll mean good for you my lad, very good. Now go."

The young fellow saluted, and started off down the slope at a brisk
springy walk which represented nearly four and a half miles an hour. He
was radiant with pride. Naturally sharp, he had to a certain extent
grasped the situation, and here, after a few months in the force, he
found himself entrusted with a real and critical mission, with the
promise of the good word of his superior. Visions of unheard of
promotion floated upon his mental sight, as he paced downward to the
camp, with rapid, elastic step.

Elvesdon strove to talk cheerfully, as they took their way down at a
perforce slower pace than that of the young Police trooper--but it was
difficult. The ridge was well between them and the impi now, but the
latter might at any moment appear over it, or where it ended farther
down. Had he been alone, or alone with Thornhill, he would not have
felt overmuch concerned. He was as brave a man as ever lived, and
endowed with his full