while Naude donned a surprising quantity of
clothing and disposed of various articles about his person.

In the excitement of the moment Captain Naude, while he was dressing,
must have forgotten to take off a waistcoat lent to him by Mrs. van
Warmelo and clearly marked D.S. van Warmelo.

This caused her a great deal of anxiety for some days after the
departure of the spies.

Had Naude reached the commandos in safety or had he fallen into the
hands of the enemy with the tell-tale waistcoat on?

They wondered and speculated, but as the days went by and no startling
reports convulsed the town, they once again settled down--not to the
same old sense of security as far as they were personally concerned,
but to the comforting conviction that all was well with their friends.

Their own fate--but this is coming presently.

Mrs. Malan did not stay long, and there were fortunately no unexpected
visitors that afternoon--except, strange to say, the English colonel
who had all but ceased his visits and was on this occasion entertained
by Hansie and her mother in turn.

His presence gave a great sense of security!

Hansie walked with Mrs. Malan to the gate, where her carriage was
waiting for her, and the sergeant-major, slowly sauntering past and
saluting to the girl as she gave the coachman her directions, little
knew that the words spoken in Dutch were:

"You must be here at 7 to-night, and bring your residential pass
without fail."

Van der Westhuizen, with the bandaged arm, was going to help to carry
their parcels through the bush and escort the three men through the
most dangerous parts of the town.

When all the preparations were complete there was an hour or two to
spare before the other men, under cover of darkness, should join Naude
near the six willow trees at the foot of the orchard. That time was
spent in making plans for the future.

"Promise me that you will never take in strange men," Naude said
earnestly. "Do not even harbour any one who professes to come from me
unless he gives a watchword. What shall our watchword be?"

They thought for a few moments, and then Mrs. van Warmelo said:

"'Appelkoos' [apricots], because you came to us in the apricot
season!"

"So be it." This was agreed upon.

"And if anything should happen to us before you come again?" Hansie
inquired. "By what sign will you know that we have been taken and that
Harmony is a pitfall instead of a refuge?"

Again they pondered. Thi