bting her word, "arranged" the corpse
on the steps of the front verandah, hiding the mutilated head under
the leaves of the violet plants.

But the Consul came late, and other visitors before him heralded their
arrival by shrieks and jumps, to the great delight of the mischievous
girl.

"You are a very pranky little sing," Mr. Cinatti said, flourishing the
_Westminster Gazette_ before her eyes, "and den you want us not to
believe dat you wrote dis."

And indeed, when Hansie glanced through the article, she found it
difficult to maintain that she had not written it, for there were all
her "pet" cases of overcrowding and underfeeding, her statistics, and
the very terms she was in the habit of using when speaking of the
volunteer nurses. She called them a "set of agitators," in sarcastic
imitation of the Commandant's favourite expression.

The only explanation to the affair could be that Mr. Stead, or perhaps
Mrs. Bodde, had made use of the facts contained in one of Hansie's
smuggled letters, and in that case she could naturally be held
responsible. She was advised by loving friends to keep her boxes ready
packed for a speedy departure, "for when the warning comes you will
not be allowed much time to pack."

But she disregarded all warnings, except to take extra precautions for
the safety of her diary.

[Illustration: GENTLEMAN JIM'S ROOM.]

CHAPTER XIX

DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND!

It would be a simple matter for me to fill this volume many times by
relating the thrilling experiences and adventures of people unknown to
me personally and yet known sufficiently by intimate friends who
guarantee their truth and veracity, but this is not my intention in
writing this book.

A brief outline, however, of the history of one of the principal
members of the Secret Committee, during the war, will not be out of
place here, because of his close connection with the "Petticoat
Commando."

Mr. C.P. Hattingh, head keeper of the Government Buildings under the
South African Republic and deacon of the Dutch Reformed Church under
the Reverend Mr. Bosman, played the part of an honourable and staunch
burgher throughout the war, and rendered countless services to
destitute women and children, in addition to his strenuous labours on
the Secret Service.

On the morning of June 5th, 1900, when it became evident beyond doubt
that the British would enter Pretoria that day, he removed the
Transvaal flag from Government Buildings