and the thought occurred to her that this was a fitting
opportunity to interview General Maxwell regarding her tour of
inspection to the Concentration Camps, and at the same time to procure
a permit for the Vocal Society to hold a charity concert.

"Why not go in now?" she thought. "There is some fun in going to see
the Governor with one pound of dynamite in one's hands, and it would
save me the trouble of coming into town again. Another thing: if I
_am_ being watched or followed, I am sure there can be nothing like a
visit to Government Buildings to disarm the most suspicious."

Arrived at the Governor's office, she noticed with some amusement that
the urchin at the door wrote on the card, under her name, "Nature of
business: permission _to have a consort_." (This was indeed to come
later!)

The German Consul was engaged with General Maxwell and Hansie had a
long time to wait, and when at last she was shown in she found the
affable Governor in a very bad temper and his A.D.C., Major Hoskins,
looking anything but comfortable.

The former shook hands and greeted her with a curt, "Well, what is the
matter with you now?"

"That is very unkind of you, General," she said.

"Why?" he demanded.

"Oh, because it sounds as if I trouble you every day."

"Well," he answered, smiling slightly, "what can I do for you?"

"That's better, thank you," exclaimed Hansie cheerfully, and
straightway plunged into business.

With her mind dwelling on explosives and Secret Service men, she
reminded him of a promise he had given her soon after her return from
the Irene Camp, that she should visit all the Camps in the Transvaal
and write reports for him, to be sent to London if necessary, for
publication in the Blue books.

"I have come to arrange with you about my tour," she said.

"Yes," he answered. "I have thought about it and will give you the
necessary permits and every facility. You will travel at Government
expense, and I will do all I can to make your way easy, on one
condition. You must promise to give me a full and true report of
things exactly as you find them."

Hansie was deeply touched by his confidence in her truth, which she
knew was not misplaced, and gladly gave the promise he asked from her.

"What you are undertaking," he continued, "will not only be
difficult, but dangerous. The accommodation in the Camps will probably
be very bad, and what would you think of a charge of dynamite under
your train?"

Hans