wrote Rupert.
"Britishers settling down in this part almost invariably roll a
cricket-pitch or lay out a football field. With Hans it is very
different. The Germans' idea of colonization is to start building up a
military organization. Every 'post' in which there are German settlers
has its company of armed blacks--Askaris they call them. And as for
ammunition, they are laying in stores sufficient to wage a two-years'
war; not merely small arms ammunition, but quick-firer shells as well.
Quite by accident I found kegs of cartridges buried close to my camp.
For what reason? The natives are quiet enough, so the ammunition is
not for use against them. I am sending this letter by a trusty native
to be posted at Pambete, as it would be unwise to make use of the
German colonial post. Meanwhile I am penetrating further into this
stretch of territory under the Black Cross Ensign--possibly in the
direction of Tabora. My researches may be taken seriously by the
Foreign Office, but I have my doubts. Fortunately I have a jolly good
pal with me, a Scotsman named Macgregor, whom I met at Jo-burg. Don't
be anxious if you don't hear from me for some time."

The letter was dated July, 1914, and three years, Dudley reflected, is
a very exaggerated interpretation of the term "some time." Even taking
into consideration the lack of efficient internal and external
communication, the state of war embroiling practically the whole
civilized world and the perils to which shipping was subjected owing to
the piratical exploits of the Huns--all these facts would hardly offer
sufficient explanation for a total absence of news from Rupert
Wilmshurst unless----

There are parts of Africa which are still described as the Dark
Continent--wild, desolate stretches where a man can disappear without
leaving the faintest trace of the manner of his presumed death, while
in German East there were unscrupulous despots--the disciples of
atrocious kultur--only too ready to condemn an Englishman without even
the farcical formality of a court-martial.

Already events had proved that Rupert Wilmshurst's statement was
well-founded. In her African colonies, in Kiau-Chau, and elsewhere for
years past Germany had been assiduously preparing for The Day. Under
the firm but erroneous impression that Great Britain would have her
hands full in connection with affairs at home, that the Boers in South
Africa would revolt and that the Empire would fall to pieces