nd rifled the body. Halloran searched also, but the natives had done
their work well. Nothing was to be found. However, as he turned to look
at the wounded Bushman, who was in his death-agony, there fell from the
stunted black fingers a pure and flawless diamond, lustrous and
dazzling in the burning sunshine, and so perfect that it might just
have left the hands of the cutter. . . . So it was true, after all!

Half an hour later the patrol came back at a gallop, having heard the
continuous firing. A few words explained all. It was Kramer right
enough. As it was useless following the Bushmen, poor Kramer was buried
and the patrol returned to Swakopmund, having found no trace of the men
for whom they had been searching. In the presence of the men Halloran
had not mentioned the pocketbook or diamond, but that night he told
Haussmann all. The pocket-book contained many details, and although
much was in cypher, the route taken by Kramer in reaching the oasis the
second time was clearly noted. And between them a plan was formed.

Six months later Halloran arrived in Cape Town, having spent the
interim in Europe, where he had made certain arrangements. He was met
by his friend (and partner in the venture) the lieutenant on three
months' sick leave and between them the expedition was organised which
was to make both their fortunes. From Europe, Halloran had shipped half
a dozen camels, and these ungainly beasts, in charge of two Arab
drivers, formed an important item in his scheme. A small tug was
chartered for three months, and a week after sailing from Cape Town the
party landed on a wild and desolate part of the coast a hundred and
fifty miles south of Walfisch Bay. The reason for choosing this spot
was that, according to the directions in the pocket-book, it appeared
clear that by striking inland due east from thereabouts they would
reach the oasis much quicker than by the actual route followed by
Kramer. But they knew it to be a waterless waste for at least four
days' journey how much more it was impossible to say hence the camels,
and hence also the numerous small barrels of water which formed an
equally important part of the tug's cargo. There were four white men in
the party Halloran, his younger brother Frank, Haussmann the German
lieutenant, and a friend of the latter named Haupt. From Swakopmund,
Haussmann had brought two Hottentots who could speak the extraordinary
Bushman "click" language. These, with the Arab came