se of an exploded cartridge. It
could only have fitted a revolver.

'This was found about two yards from the body and was brought to me this
evening.'

'I don't know what that proves.'

'You know just as well as I do that none of the natives has a revolver.
Beside ourselves only one or two of the servants have them.'

George took his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his face. His
throat was horribly dry, and he could hardly breathe.

'Will you give me your revolver,' said Alec, quietly.

'I haven't got it. I lost it this afternoon when we made that sortie. I
didn't tell you as I thought you'd get in a wax about it.'

'I saw you cleaning it less than an hour ago,' said Alec, gravely.

George shrugged his shoulders pettishly.

'Perhaps it's in my tent. I'll go and see.'

'Stop here,' said Alec sharply.

'Look here, I'm not going to be ordered about like a dog. You've got no
right to talk to me like that. I came out here of my own free will, and
I won't let you treat me like a damned nigger.'

'If you put your hand to your hip-pocket I think you'll find your
revolver there.'

'I'm not going to give it you,' said George, his lips white with fear.

'Do you want me to come and take if from you myself?'

The two men stared at one another for a moment. Then George slowly put
his hand to his pocket and took out the revolver. But a sudden impulse
seized him. He raised it, quickly aimed at Alec, and fired. Walker was
standing near him, and seeing the movement, instinctively beat up the
boy's hand as pulled the trigger. In a moment the doctor had sprung
forward and seizing him round the waist, thrown him backwards. The
revolver fell from his hand. Alec had not moved.

'Let me go, damn you!' cried George, his voice shrill with rage.

'You need not hold him,' said Alec.

It was second nature with them all to perform Alec's commands, and
without thinking twice they dropped their hands. George sank cowering
into a chair. Walker, bending down, picked up the revolver and gave it
to Alec, who silently fitted into an empty chamber the cartridge that
had been brought to him.

'You see that it fits,' he said. 'Hadn't you better make a clean breast
of it?'

George was utterly cowed. A sob broke from him.

'Yes, I shot her,' he said brokenly. 'She made a row and the devil got
into me. I didn't know what I'd done till she screamed and I saw the
blood.'

He cursed himself for being such a fool as to throw the ca