hat opportunity came.

"Let's stroll down and look at the garden, Glanton," he began,
presently. "I want to show you what I've been doing while you were
away."

And without giving anyone an opportunity of joining us, even if they had
wanted to, he led the way forth.

I listened as he expatiated upon the improvements he had been making,
even as I had listened many a time before, but it struck me his
explanations were a little incoherent, a little flurried, like the
speech of a man who is not talking of that which lies uppermost in his
mind. He continued thus until we had reached the furthest limit of the
cultivated ground, where a high bush fence shut this off from possible
depredations on the part of bucks or other nocturnal marauders. It was
a secluded spot, and there was no sign of any of the others intending to
join us.

"Try one of these cigars, Glanton," he began, tendering his case. Then,
after one final look round to make sure we were not only alone, but
likely to remain so, he went on: "Let's sit down here and have a quiet
smoke. There's something I want to get your opinion about. You know
this witch doctor chap, Ukozi?"

"Of course I do. What has he been up to?"

"Up to? Oh, nothing. But the fact is I have taken a liking to the
fellow. He interests me. He's been showing me some queer things of
late--yes, devilish queer things. And he's promised to show me some
more."

"What sort of queer things, Major?" I struck in.

"All sorts. Well, the finding of Aida's lost coin was a queer enough
thing in itself. Now wasn't it?"

"Yes. But--it's mere conjuring. You'd probably be surprised to know
how the trick was done."

"No doubt. But--do you know?" This somewhat eagerly.

"No, I don't. I doubt though, whether it's worth knowing. Well, Major,
you've got bitten with a sort of inclination towards occultism, and
Ukozi comes in handy as a means of showing you a thing or two. Isn't
that it?"

"Well yes. But--Glanton, I seem to have heard you admit that these
fellows can do a good deal. Yet, now you make light of this one?"

"To speak frankly, Major, I think the less you have to do with him, or
any of his kidney, the better. By the way, how the dickens do you
manage to talk to him? Have you learnt?"

"Oh, I work that through Ivondwe. That's a treasure you've found for
us, Glanton. Yes sir, a real treasure. He takes all the bother and
anxiety of the place clean off my hands."

"