Part 48 (1/2)

”No--no!” Sylvia said. ”I am going to get the tea.”

Yet she paused beside Burke, as if compelled. ”What else did he do?” she said. ”You haven't told us all.”

”Not quite all,” said Burke, and still his eyes searched hers with a probing intentness.

”Don't you want to tell me?” she said.

”Yes, I will tell you,” he answered, ”if you especially want to hear. He saved my life.”

”Hooray!” yelled Kelly, in the voice of one holloaing to hounds.

Sylvia said nothing for a moment. She had turned very pale. When she spoke it was with an effort. ”How?”

He answered as if speaking to her alone. ”One of Vreiboom's tumble-down old sheds fired while we were trying to clear it. The place collapsed and I got pinned inside. Piet Vreiboom didn't trouble himself, or Kieff, either. He wouldn't--naturally. Guy got me out.”

”Ah!” she said. It was scarcely more than an intake of the breath.

She could not utter another word, for that imprisoned thing within her seemed to be clawing at her heart, choking her. If Burke had died--if Burke had died! She turned herself quickly from the searching of his eyes, lest he should see--and understand. She could not--dared not--show him her soul just then. The memory of his kiss--that single, fiery kiss that had opened her own eyes--held her back. She went from him in silence. If Burke had died!

CHAPTER VII

THE NET

It was not often that Sylvia lay awake, but that night her brain was in a turmoil, and for long she courted sleep in vain. For some time after she retired, the murmur of Burke's and Kelly's voices in the adjoining room kept her on the alert, but it was mainly the thoughts that crowded in upon her that would not let her rest. The thought of Guy troubled her most, this and the knowledge that Kieff was in the neighbourhood. She had an almost uncanny dread of this man. He seemed to stand in the path as a menace, an evil influence that she could neither avert nor withstand. Burke had barely mentioned him, yet his words had expressed the thought that had sprung instantly to her mind. He was an enemy to them all, most of all to Guy, and she feared him. She had a feeling that she would sooner or later have to fight him for Guy's soul, and she was sick with apprehension. For the only weapon at her disposal was that weapon she dare not wield.

The long night dragged away. She thought it would never end. When sleep came to her at last it was only to bring dreadful dreams in its train. Burke in danger! Burke imprisoned in a burning hut!

Burke at the mercy of Kieff, the merciless!

She wrenched herself free from these nightmares in the very early morning while the stars were still in the sky, and went out on to the _stoep_ to banish the evil illusions from her brain. It was still and cold and desolate. The guest-hut in which Kelly was sleeping was closed. There was no sign of life anywhere. A great longing to go out alone on to the _veldt_ came to her. She felt as if the great solitude must soothe her spirit. And it would be good to realize her wish and to see the day break from that favourite _kopje_ of hers.

She turned to re-enter her room for an extra wrap, and then started at sight of another figure standing at the corner of the bungalow.

She thought it was Burke, and her heart gave a wild leap within her, but the next moment as it began to move noiselessly towards her, she recognized Guy.

He came to her on stealthy feet. ”Hullo!” he whispered. ”Can't you sleep?”

She held out her hand to him. ”Guy! You ought to be in bed!”

He made an odd grimace, and bending, carried her hand to his lips.

”I couldn't sleep either. I've been tormented with a fiery thirst all night long. What has been keeping you awake? Honestly now!”

He laughed into her eyes, and she was aware that he was trying to draw her nearer to him. There was about him at, that moment a subtle allurement that was hard to resist. Old memories thrilled through her at his touch. For five years she had held herself as belonging to him. Could the spell be broken in as many months?

Yet she did resist him, turning her face away. ”I can't tell you,”

she said, a quiver in her voice. ”I had a good deal to think about. Guy, what is--Kieff doing at Piet Vreiboom's?”

Guy frowned. ”Heaven knows. He is there for his own amus.e.m.e.nt, not mine.”

”You didn't know he was there?” she said, looking at him again.

His frown deepened. ”Yes, I knew. Of course I knew. Why?”