o himself lest he might be mistaken.

Had he stayed behind in the hope of ascertaining the truth? His rude
behaviour to his former master in the presence of the boer might have
been only a ruse to mislead the latter, and give an opportunity for
carrying out some detective contrivance. It was all in keeping with the
Kaffir character, and Willem was but too delighted to think that such
was the explanation.

"I thought at the time I last saw him," said Willem, "that there was
something in his behaviour unlike what would be shown by a traitor. It
seemed to contradict his words. I believe that we have all been very
stupid. I hope so. I shall go back and see Congo immediately. I shall
demand an explanation. He will tell me all, if I can only get the boer
out of the way."

"I have another idea," said Hendrik. "The two men we saw hunting for
horses, and who told us they had seen our giraffes to the south, were a
couple of liars. They did not speak like men telling the truth. I can
see it now: we were simpletons to have been so easily deceived. They
were the boer's own brothers,--the very men who have robbed us!"

"Yes," said Hans; "and they had the assistance of Mynheer Van Ormon in
doing it. How easy it is to understand his profuse hospitality now. We
have indeed been duped."

The belief that the giraffes had been stolen was now universal, and our
adventurers were only too glad to think so. They much preferred that
this should be the case than to think the animals had strayed. There
would be a far better chance of recovering them.

It is easy to believe what we most desire, and all agreed that the
property had been surreptitiously taken from the shed.

Without saying another word, Groot Willem turned his horse upon his
tracks, and rode back towards the kraal of Mynheer Van Ormon.

The boer met him outside the enclosures, apparently surprised to see him
return. The moment Willem set eyes upon the man's face, he saw that
there was something amiss. He observed a strong expression of
displeasure, accompanied with a glance of uneasiness.

"I have come back to have a chat with my old servant," said Willem. "He
has been with me for so many years that I don't like to part with him on
slight grounds."

"Ver goot," answered Van Ormon. "You can see him when he come home. He
hash goed after the oxen. If you pleash, take him along mit you when
you leave."

As the sun was now about setting, Willem knew tha