ew, by an inflection in her mother's voice, that something
out of the way had happened when she said:

"I have had a note from General Maxwell."

"Indeed! What does he say?"

"He writes that Dietlof has been made a prisoner, and he encloses a
telegram from the Assistant Provost-Marshal at Ventersdorp, in the
name of General Babington, to say that Dietlof is well, as was Fritz
when last seen. See for yourself."

Hansie grabbed--yes, grabbed--the papers from her mother's
outstretched hand.

"'When last seen?' Mother, what can that mean? Why have the boys been
separated?"

"That is what I should like to know," her mother answered. "I wonder
how we can find out. We must ask to see General Maxwell at once."

That afternoon the two women called at the Government Buildings and
were shown into the Governor's office.

He seemed to be expecting a visit from them, and Mrs. van Warmelo
apologised for troubling him, reminding him of the promise he had made
on the occasion of their very first visit to him, that he would help
them if they came to him in any trouble.

This he remembered perfectly.

"What is it you want me to do?" he asked.

"If you will be so good, we want a permit to visit our prisoner in the
Johannesburg Fort, where he will probably be kept until he is sent to
Ceylon or where-ever he may have to go."

"Certainly; I will do this with the greatest pleasure. But first we
must wire and find out his whereabouts. I'll see about the matter and
let you know at once."

Thanking him gratefully, mother and daughter took their leave.

"We should have asked permission to take a box of clothes and other
little necessaries for our boy," the mother said.

"Yes, what a pity we did not think of it! But surely there could be no
objection to that! Let us get everything ready at least, and ask
permission when we hear from General Maxwell again."

The largest portmanteau in the house was overhauled and carefully and
thoughtfully packed by the mother's yearning hands.

No article of comfort was overlooked, no detail of the wardrobe
considered too small for her closest attention and care.

Presently Hansie came with _her_ contribution, a thick exercise-book
and a couple of pencils.

"Put these in, mother, if you still have room. I am going to ask
Dietlof to write down all his adventures in this book for us to read
afterwards. It will help him to get through his time of imprisonment."

(This small act, I may add her