present at the "raid."

For some weeks the advisability of leaving home on a pleasure trip had
been discussed. While the moon was on the wane their friends from
commando would not be likely to pay them a visit, but Mrs. van
Warmelo, who never had much inclination to leave her little paradise,
persuaded Hansie to go to Johannesburg for a few days alone to a dear
young friend, newly wed, who had repeatedly begged her to come.

They hoped that such an attitude of innocent pleasure-making on their
part would avert some of the suspicion which rested on their heads and
cause a part, at least, of the surveillance to be withdrawn from
Harmony.

Hansie hoped to be back home before the appearance of the new moon,
the time appointed for Naude's next visit, and it was red-tape,
nothing but red-tape, through which she was undone.

So many difficulties were placed in the way of her obtaining the
necessary permits that by the time she got away she should have been
on her return journey.

Let us see what her diary says.

"January 10th, Friday.

"My poor old diary! I begin to foresee that it is going to die a
natural death, simply because I am tired of recording lies and
rumours [this was the black-and-white diary, kept on purpose to
mislead the enemy, should it fall into their hands].

"I am now busy preparing for a little trip to Johannesburg, but
oh dear! the difficulty one has in getting permits!

"The English have never been so strict before!

"Major Hoskins (who could have helped me without further
reference had he wished) sent me to the Commissioner of Police,
who asked me to produce a note of recommendation from my 'ward
officer' in B. Ward.

"My 'ward officer' refused to give me a permit without a
medical certificate that I required a change of air.

"I told him shortly that I was going for pleasure and that I
would appeal to General Maxwell if he could not assist me. He
said 'that made all the difference!' (what did he mean?) and
asked me for the name and address of the people with whom I
would be staying in Johannesburg, so I gave him Pauline's box
number.

"No, that was not sufficient, he must have the name of the
street and the number of the house.

"'I do not remember the number, but I shall go home to look it
up and come back at once.'

"'It will--er--be more convenient if you bring it to-morrow,' he