fastening their horses in a clump of thorn trees, where they remained
until nightfall.

On their way to Pretoria in the darkness, Mr. Greyling's horse fell
into a hole, throwing him out of the saddle, but his foot caught in
the stirrup and he was dragged about forty yards, bruising his head
and severely wrenching his ankle. Although by no means fit for the
journey, he was determined to go back that night, because the friends
who were waiting for him with his horse did so at the utmost risk of
their lives. The best news he brought was that the Boers had retaken
the Skurvebergen and that it was again the centre of the Secret
Service. Three of the Boers had fallen there during the fight.

Although he fully appreciated the obstacles in the way of procuring a
time-table, he said he felt he could hardly go back to the commandos
without it. His instructions had been very explicit.

Whether she found the time-table at Harmony or not, Hansie
promised to come back that evening, with the European and Colonial
newspaper-cuttings, so eagerly sought after by the men on commando.

Arrived at Harmony at about 5.15, Hansie could conceal her impatience
no longer, but, running up the garden-path, she threw open the front
door with a flourish, and behold, a small flat parcel on the floor, a
book wrapped carelessly in a bit of white paper! The secret
time-table!

She only had it in her hands for a moment, but one thing she will ever
remember, the slate-coloured cover and the thick red letters heavily
scored:

_For the use of officers and officials only._

The excited women looked at it as if fascinated, turning the leaves
over slowly and murmuring blessings on _his_ head.

"Look here," Mrs. van Warmelo whispered, "here we have the meanings of
the different signals, and here the different engine-whistles are
explained. Every 'toot' has a meaning, Hansie----" But Hansie had
flown to her room to don her cycling dress, and was soon on her way,
guarded by her faithful dog. On reaching her destination she was again
shown into the drawing-room, but Mrs. Joubert came to her and asked in
a whisper whether she would not like to go to _the_ room.

Need I say that she jumped at the suggestion?

Away with caution, to the winds with prudence and reflection! Was not
the mother safe at Harmony and her wise counsels forgotten?

Hansie was led silently through mysterious corridors into the open
back-yard, by a mute figure in black.

This