etween man and woman. Well, you will
be taken under safe guidance--absolutely safe, have no fear--to
Ezulwini, but you will have to travel by byways, and therefore slowly.
You see, I have watched every step you have taken ever since you came
into the country, because I had marked you down as the one man who could
carry out my purpose, and you will do it. Now, if you are rested, you
can take this horse, and Mandevu will guide you to where you will find
an efficient escort."

"But--I can't talk very well. And then, if we are attacked by a white
force, what then? I only ask so as to know what to do."

"Neither matters, and you will not be attacked. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Then farewell. We shall never meet again, but I know you will carry
out everything."

"That I will. Good-bye."

They clasped hands, and as Denham rode away from the spot he wondered
whether he had been dreaming. At the top of the rise he looked back.
The other had disappeared.

"Come, _Nkose_!" said Mandevu, his tall form striding on in front at the
pace of the horse's fast walk.

CHAPTER THIRTY.

"CURTAIN."

The Nodwengu Hotel at Ezulwini was in such a state of turn-out and
general excitement as had never occurred within the walls of that not
very antique establishment. The big central room, ordinarily used for
concerts or dances or public meetings, was crammed with laid-out tables
wherever a plate and knife and fork could be crowded in, while the
smaller one, the dining-room under conditions of everyday life, was
entirely handed over to the bottle department. All this, however, did
not herald a royal visit--only a wedding.

"See here, Mrs Shelford," said Denham, looking in for a moment upon the
scene, where the pretty and popular hostess was seeing to this, that and
the other with all her characteristic thoroughness. "You'll have no
time to get into that exceedingly fetching frock I caught a glimpse of
the other day if you don't leave all this to somebody else."

"Oh yes, I shall. But you know what I told you the day you came--you
can't leave everything to Kafirs. By the way, I suppose you've had
enough of the Kafirs now?"

"For a time, yes. But--I think they're interesting. Sapazani, for
instance?" waggishly.

"The brute! Good thing he was shot. Well, I suppose we shall never see
you out here again."

"I'm not so sure about that. Didn't I find Verna here--right here, in
this very house? And isn't that why I