his way across that
long distance of hostile country? Why, it would have taxed to the
uttermost the experience and resources of any one among themselves, was
the consensus of opinion. The thing was a mystery, and at such Denham
left it. He supposed he was born lucky and with a bump of topography,
was how he accounted for it in his easy-going way. But never by word or
hint did he let drop anything as to the real agency which had got him
through, not even to Verna.

And she? Well, to-day was her wedding day.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The pretty little church at Ezulwini was crammed. Sub-Inspector Dering,
incidentally due to leave for the seat of war that evening, acted best
man, and subsequently, at the big spread at the Nodwengu Hotel, in the
course of his speech pointed out that having helped to "kill" one good
man that morning he was due to go off and get another good man killed,
himself to wit, that evening, but that he deserved for coming in too
late to pick the combination of rose and lily of the whole country for
himself; which hit evoked vast laughter and applause, and the
festivities flowed on.

"Father," said Verna, in the interval before leaving. "Father, dear old
father, what will you do without me? Shall you go back home or what?"

Her tears were falling as she held him round the neck, gazing wistfully
into the strong, weather-beaten face, which in spite of her present
great happiness it wrung her heart to realise she should see no more, at
any rate, for some time to come.

"No, not yet, anyhow. I shall go and take part in this scuffle," he
answered. "Perhaps, later on, I'll come and help knock over some of
Denham's pheasants in the old country, if he's agreeable."

"If he's agreeable? What's that, Halse?" repeated Denham, who had just
then come in. "Why, the sooner you like, the sooner the better for us.
Come now. We'll have a jolly voyage all together."

"No; I'll see this scrap through first," was the trader's reply, given
with characteristic terseness. "Later on, perhaps."

Then there was a tremendous "send off," and thereafter the bulk of
Ezulwini--male--spent the rest of the day and evening proposing the
healths of the departed bride and bridegroom.

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.

ENVOI.

The leafy summer day was at its close--and Horlestone Manor was in one
of the leafiest parts of leafy England. Through its cool gardens in the
c