taking the key. Now that
she knew the worst, her weakness was all gone. With the old steady
fearlessness she went from the room. The battle was before her,
but she knew no misgiving. She would win--she was bound to
win--for the sake of the old love and in the strength of the new.

CHAPTER X

THE BEARER OF EVIL TIDINGS

It was late in the afternoon when Kelly returned to Blue Hill Farm.
He had been riding round Merston's lands with Burke during a great
part of the day, and he was comfortably tired. He looked forward
to spending a congenial evening with his hostess, and he hoped that
young Guy would not be of too lively a turn, for he was in a mood
for peace.

The first chill of evening was creeping over the _veldt_ as he
ambled along the trail past the _kopje_. As he came within sight
of the farm a wave of sentiment swept over him.

"Faith, it's a jolly little homestead!" he said, with a sigh.
"Lucky devil--Burke!"

There was no one about, and he took his horse to the stable and
gave him a rub-down and feed before catering. Then he made his way
into the house from the back,

There was a light in the sitting-room, and he betook himself
thither, picturing the homely scene of Sylvia knitting socks for
her husband or engaged upon some housewifely task.

He announced himself with his customary, cheery garrulity as he
entered.

"Ah, here I am again, Mrs. Burke! And it's good news I've got for
ye. Merston's not so badly damaged after all, and your husband is
hoping to be back by midday in the morning."

He stopped short. The room was not empty, but the figure that rose
up with an easy, sinuous movement to meet him was not the figure he
had expected to see.

"Good evening, Kelly!" said Saul Kieff.

"What the devil!" said Kelly.

Kieff smiled in a cold, detached fashion. "I came over to find Mr.
Burke Ranger. But I gather he is away from home."

"What have you come for?" said Kelly.

He did not like Kieff though his nature was too kindly to entertain
any active antipathy towards anyone. But no absence of intimacy
could ever curb his curiosity, and he never missed any information
for lack of investigation.

Kieff's motionless black eyes took him in with satirical
comprehension. He certainly would never have made a confidant of
such a man as Kelly unless it had suited his purpose. He took
several moments for consideration before he made reply. "I presume
you are aware," he said then, "t