Part 41 (1/2)
”You are a man of your word, Denham”
”Oh, you know my name,” said the other cheerfully Soe was all on one side
”You have kept the condition which I placed upon you Not even to Ben Halse's daughter did you break it”
”No do you know that?” And the question and the straight, frank glance acco it would have convinced the other, if he had needed convincing, that this was so
”That doesn't matter I do know it If I did not, you would not have walked away froot away froratitude,” answered Denha is I don't believe you will ever give ive you just such a chance before we part
But that will keep Nohen are you going to hter?”
Denhah
”When? As soon as ever I can, by God!”
The stranger looked at him curiously
”Do you knohy I have helped you?” he said
”Not in the least”
”On that account, and--on another You were made for each other, and I could see it _I know_”
There was that in the tone, in the expression of the man's face, that went to Denhareen all these years Soht seemed to convey this He put forth his band and the other took it
”May I ask,” he said, ”if you devote life to befriending people in sihed--the dry, h which was the only fore
”No, indeed Once only, under si the trouble in Matabeleland”
”By Jove!”
Then fell an interval of silence, which neither seeher, and grew hot At length the er drew a parcel from his inner pocket It was of no size, but carefully done up in waterproof wrappings
”You have given me your word,” he said, ”and you have kept it--Imet me at all You can account for your escape, as may occur to you, but no word, no hint about me Another condition I must impose upon you, and that is that you take no further part in the fighting here, but proceed straight to England, and deliver the contents of this packet in the quarter whither they are addressed But the packet is not to be opened until you are on English soil Do you agree?”
”Most certainly Why, I owe you everything, even life”
”Even life, as you say And not even to the girl you love e of my existence--the secrets between man and man are just as inviolable as those between uidance--absolutely safe, have no fear--to Ezulwini, but you will have to travel by byways, and therefore slowly
You see, I have watched every step you have taken ever since you came into the country, because I had marked you down as the one man who could carry out my purpose, and you will do it Now, if you are rested, you can take this horse, and Mandevu will guide you to where you will find an efficient escort”
”But--I can't talk very well And then, if we are attacked by a white force, what then? I only ask so as to knohat to do”
”Neither matters, and you will not be attacked Are you ready?”