earer
the Rooirand. It was accursed, he said, for it was an abode of devils,
and only wizards went near it. I was bound to admit to myself that I
could not blame him. At last I had got on the track of something
certain about this mysterious country, and all the way back I wondered
if I should have the courage to follow it up.

[1] Baboon.

[2] Schelm: Rascal.

CHAPTER V

MR WARDLAW HAS A PREMONITION

A week later the building job was finished, I locked the door of the
new store, pocketed the key, and we set out for home. Sikitola was
entrusted with the general care of it, and I knew him well enough to be
sure that he would keep his people from doing mischief. I left my
empty wagons to follow at their leisure and rode on, with the result
that I arrived at Blaauwildebeestefontein two days before I was looked
for.

I stabled my horse, and went round to the back to see Colin. (I had
left him at home in case of fights with native dogs, for he was an ill
beast in a crowd.) I found him well and hearty, for Zeeta had been
looking after him. Then some whim seized me to enter the store through
my bedroom window. It was open, and I crawled softly in to find the
room fresh and clean from Zeeta's care. The door was ajar, and,
hearing voices, I peeped into the shop.

Japp was sitting on the counter talking in a low voice to a big
native--the same 'Mwanga whom I had bundled out unceremoniously. I
noticed that the outer door giving on the road was shut, a most unusual
thing in the afternoon. Japp had some small objects in his hand, and
the two were evidently arguing about a price. I had no intention at
first of eavesdropping, and was just about to push the door open, when
something in Japp's face arrested me. He was up to no good, and I
thought it my business to wait.

The low tones went on for a little, both men talking in Kaffir, and
then Japp lifted up one of the little objects between finger and thumb.
It was a small roundish stone about the size of a bean, but even in
that half light there was a dull lustre in it.

At that I shoved the door open and went in. Both men started as if
they had been shot. Japp went as white as his mottled face permitted.
'What the--' he gasped, and he dropped the thing he was holding.

I picked it up, and laid it on the counter. 'So,' I said, 'diamonds,
Mr Japp. You have found the pipe I was looking for. I congratulate
you.'

My words gave the old ruffian his cue.