y man in the country who knew
about the Courtland affair, and of course Lamont wanted to get rid of
him at all costs, now that there was another girl in the case.

"Well, old chap," he had answered, "I think I won't stop on. The fact
is I get beastly bored all by myself, and I think you said there was a
hotel in Gandela."

"Yes. It's not first-rate, but Foster's a very decent fellow. If you
tell him you've been stopping with me he'll do his best for you," Lamont
had replied.

"But I don't know anyone there."

"You'll very soon get to. There are some very good fellows in Gandela--
only don't go on the wait-to-be-introduced tack."

Mightily did Lamont chuckle to himself over this reminiscence as he rode
along, and his mirth was quite undashed by the consciousness that Ancram
bore him no goodwill--and the certainty that he would injure him if he
could. For this, however, he cared nothing. The Courtland story might
leak out and welcome. There was no one whose opinion he valued
sufficiently for it to matter. Wait. Was there not? No. There was no
one.

His way lay over undulating mimosa-studded ground, beautiful but for a
parched and burnt-up look, due to the prolonged drought; passing now and
again a native kraal, heavily stockaded with mopani poles and thorn
boughs, for lions were not altogether unknown in that part, as we have
seen. A brief off-saddle for lunch, and to cool his horse's back, and
he took the track again.

Lamont was well mounted, and his steed stepped forth at a long, swift,
easy walk. In the afternoon heat he became drowsy, and was soon
nodding. The art of sleeping on horseback is one that can be acquired
by pressure of circumstances, and if the animal is steady in its paces,
and knows its way, why, then, there is no further difficulty--and of
this one both these conditions held good. Suddenly a loud whinny on its
part started the rider bolt awake again.

They were now travelling down a path skirting a range of stony hills.
Below, and in front at no great distance, was another horseman
proceeding in the same direction. It took but one moment to determine
him a white man, and not many more to overhaul him and range up
alongside. The stranger was dressed in serviceable khaki and a
sun-helmet, all of which was in keeping with the bronzed face and short
black beard, but not altogether with the round clerical collar.
Catching the sound of hoofs behind, he reined in and turned, and Lam