. "We want to get to Pietermaritzburg first,
though."

"Going to join the Police, maybe?"

"Well, I have at times thought about that, if nothing better turns up.
By the way, perhaps you could tell us of some place here where they
would put us up, at a low figure, for the two or three days we are here.
These hotels run you up such a bill."

"So they do. I can, as it happens, send you to a place where you'll
save the `chips,' at any rate. But maybe you'll find it a bit roughish.
Wayne's, between this and the town--almost in the town. They take in
boarders there, mostly working-chaps and small storemen, but all decent
respectable fellows. But Wayne won't charge you more than half what an
hotel will; and if you don't mind it being a bit rough, you can't do
better than go there. You can mention I sent you."

"That'll do us first rate," said Gerard.

"All right. I'll send a couple of boys up with your traps on a trolley.
Oh, here's one just starting up town."

And hailing two of the native hands, he spoke to them volubly in the
Zulu language, with the result that our friends' luggage was loaded up
there and then upon the vehicle.

"Good-bye, and good luck to you, if we don't meet again. You'll find a
tramcar outside the yard gates," said the jolly official, holding out
his hand.

"Good-bye, and many thanks," replied Gerard, giving it a hearty shake.
An example which Harry Maitland followed, but minus the heartiness.

"What a fellow you are, Ridgeley!" fumed Harry, as soon as they were
alone together. "What sort of a dog-hole is it that that cad is sending
us to? Why, he himself said it was full of navvies and counter-jumpers.
Hanged if I go there! I'm going to the Royal."

"You must please yourself, of course, Harry," was the perfectly
good-humoured reply. "Unfortunately I can't afford to do that. I've
none too much cash as it is, and when that's gone, I don't see the
slightest prospect of getting any more until I can make it myself. So,
as I've got to rough it anyhow, I may as well begin now, and save the
`chips' at the same time. It won't do you any harm either. Try it, for
one night at any rate."

The other sulkily acquiesced. The fact was he did not care to cut
adrift from Gerard just then. He felt very much a fish out of water, in
that strange country; were he alone, he would feel ten times more so.
So comfort must give way to companionship, and he made no further
objections.

A few inqu