ar to her wise counsel in future.

They and their friends were in no way affected by his treachery,
except in so far that it cast a gloom over them and made them realise
that the Boers would not be able to hold out much longer against the
machinations of these traitors of their own flesh and blood. Another
matter for grave concern was the thought that Captain Naude might
attempt to pass through his usual route, not knowing that the enemy
had been informed of it, and run straight into the traps prepared for
him.

How to get out a warning to the Skurvebergen in time was the problem
before them now.

Hansie spent the next few days in flying about on her bicycle to find
out if any one in the "inner circle" had been arrested.

Thank God, no. Mr. Willem Botha was at home, the Jouberts were still
in undisturbed security, all the other members of the Secret Committee
were safe.

They congratulated themselves and one another on their escape, and Mr.
Botha, visiting at Harmony a few days later, once more impressed on
them the danger of coming into contact with any spies other than those
they knew and trusted.

And again he warned them to keep no papers in the house--"for," he
continued, "we must always bear in mind that we can never be sure we
have not been betrayed. Our names may be on the black list already,
and the enemy may only be waiting to catch us red-handed. No one is
safe, and no one ought to _feel_ safe."

There was a moment's pause, and then he went on, with evident
reluctance: "I have good reason for warning you again. I do not wish
to alarm you, but only last night, as I was walking in the moonlight
with my wife, we passed a man I know well, with a girl on his arm. The
moon was shining very brightly, and, as they passed me, I distinctly
heard him say, 'This man has also been given away.'"

Hansie felt a thrill of acute anxiety for her friend. The two women
looked at one another.

They tried to console themselves with the thought that the man might
have mistaken Mr. Botha for some one else. There was nothing to do but
wait, but the suspense and uncertainty were very hard to bear, and
long were the discussions over every imaginable possibility.

They knew that the traitor was acquainted with the Captain of the
Secret Service and his private secretary Mr. Greyling. Did he also
know the names of the members of the Committee? Did Greyling confide
the secret of the time-table to him? These young men were reck