d, and with great
apparent timidity showed as little of himself as possible.

Mr. Hattingh asked him to come in, and he ventured forward with
shrinking hesitation.

"What can I do for you?" Mr. Hattingh asked.

"Take me in," the man answered breathlessly. "Harbour me. I am a Boer
spy, straight from the commandos."

Mr. Hattingh betrayed the greatest amazement, as if he had never heard
of the possibility of such a thing.

"A Boer spy!" he exclaimed. "How did you come in?"

The man described the route he had taken, and in an instant Mr.
Hattingh, with his intimate knowledge of the actual route employed by
Boers, realised that the man before him was not from the field at all,
but a National Scout, employed by the British to betray the loyal
Boers--a "trap," in fact, such as were in constant use against their
brother burghers.

Mr. Hattingh asked him a few more leading questions to satisfy himself
of the true nature of the man's errand, and then, as if suddenly
recalled to himself, broke out in evident agitation:

"But I cannot harbour you, my good fellow. I am _neutral_."

"Surely you would not have the heart to see me fall into the hands of
the enemy!" the man exclaimed.

"I am very sorry," Mr. Hattingh replied, "but I dare not take you in."

"Tell me some news, then," he implored. "Our men are getting hopeless
and desperate, and when we bring them news from town it gives them new
courage to continue the war."

"I know of no news to tell you. I am _neutral_," Mr. Hattingh answered
firmly, and the man left him with his mission unaccomplished.

Unseen himself, Mr. Hattingh watched him depart, and saw him getting
into a cab, which was evidently waiting for him in the neighbourhood,
and drive rapidly away.

Mr. Hattingh immediately went to his neighbour, Mr. Isaac Haarhoff,
and told him what had happened.

"What do you think I ought to do? I am under suspicion without a
doubt."

"Report the matter to the authorities at once," Mr. Haarhoff answered,
and our friend accepted the advice with alacrity.

He mounted his bicycle and rode with all speed to the nearest Charge
Office, reporting that a Boer spy had been to his house for refuge
that evening.

"Why did you not bring him with you?" the officer inquired.

"I did not know what to do," Mr. Hattingh began, when another official
made his appearance and asked what the matter was.

The first related what had occurred, and Mr. Hattingh, keenly watching
th