stroom and New Scotland districts of the Transvaal, and
which more resembles a true north country mist than anything else, was
drizzling gently but persistently. This condition of affairs was as
favourable as possible to their enterprise, and under cover of it the
Hottentot and the white girl crept far down the hill to within twelve
or fourteen paces of the back of the waggon-house. Then Jantje, who was
leading, suddenly put back his hand and checked her, and at that moment
Jess caught the sound of a sentry's footsteps as he tramped leisurely up
and down. For a couple of minutes or so they stopped thus, not knowing
what to do, when suddenly a man came round the corner of the building
holding a lantern in his hand. On seeing the lantern Jess's first
impulse was to fly, but Jantje by a motion made her understand that she
was to stop still. The man with the lantern advanced towards the other
man, holding the light above his head, and looking dim and gigantic in
the mist and rain. Presently he turned his face, and Jess saw that it
was Frank Muller himself. He stood thus for a moment waiting till the
sentry was near to him.

"You can go to your supper," he said. "Come back in half an hour. I will
be responsible for the prisoners till then."

The man growled out an answer something about the rain, and then
departed round the end of the building, followed by Muller.

"Now then, come on," whispered Jantje; "there is a hole in the
store-room wall, and you may be able to speak to Missie Bessie."

Jess did not require a second invitation, but slipped up to the wall
in five seconds. Passing her hand over the stone-work she found the
air-hole, which she remembered well, for they used to play bo-peep there
as children, and was about to whisper through it, when suddenly the door
at the other end opened, and Frank Muller entered, bearing the lantern
in his hand. For a moment he stood on the threshold, opening the slide
of the lantern in order to increase the light. His hat was off, and he
wore a cape of dark cloth thrown over his shoulders, which seemed to
add to his great breadth. Indeed the thought flashed through the mind
of Jess as she looked at him through the hole, and saw the light strike
upon his face and form, glinting down his golden beard, that he was the
most magnificent specimen of humanity whom she had ever seen. In another
instant he had turned the lantern round and revealed her dear sister
Bessie to her gaze. Bessie