Lucky it was that old Dirk's ineradicable instincts had led him on the
rove into his native wilds; lucky, indeed, for his master that he had to
that extent played football with his trust, though inexpressibly
annoying to his said master when that breach of trust was first
discovered. Under the old Koranna's able guidance it was not many days
before Renshaw was at home again in safety. Nor was the experienced eye
of the former at fault in deciding the wound to be no longer dangerous.
Some of those wonderful remedies known only to the natives themselves
soon put this beyond all doubt, and by the time Renshaw reached home he
felt as strong again as ever.

He had started at once for Sunningdale. With such samples of his late
companion's consummate selfishness and unparalleled treachery fresh in
his mind, it was small wonder that he hardly expected ever to behold
Sellon again. And his expectation was realised. That unscrupulous
rascal was already on blue ocean, with the magnificent diamond, the
superb "Eye" in his possession. No, it was hardly likely that he should
ever see Sellon again.

And he did not care to try. In the first place in disclaiming any
inordinate desire for riches, Renshaw had been stating a bare fact; and
whereas the diamonds in his own possession, when abandoned by his
comrade to die, comprised some large and fine stones, likely to realise
a considerable sum, he could afford to rest content. In the second, to
the bitter disgust and contempt he felt for the man and his treachery,
the news of Violet's flight added a more than severe shock. But this on
the whole was salutary--undeniably so. His idol was shattered. And
then, as bit by bit the whole tissue of heartless duplicity stood fully
revealed, he was forced to admit himself cured.

But the process took time--time and many a bitter heartache. Saddened
and disgusted, Renshaw had resolved to strike out an entirely new line.
He would travel all over the world.

He sailed for England, disposed of his diamonds, realising nearly
seventeen thousand pounds, and even then he probably did not make the
best bargain for himself. Then in pursuance of his plan he had spent
the following two years on the move. England, the Continent, India,
China, Japan, the United States--all were visited, and it was amid the
rolling solitude of the Far West that his heart turned to the free open
veldt of his native land, and among the iron-bound mountains and bras