Part 7 (1/2)

He took out his handkerchief and applied it to his eyes, uttering a low piteous groan the while.

”You hear this, Ingleborough?” said West.

”Yes, I hear,” said Ingleborough sourly, as he thrust the gems back in his pocket. ”So do you, and you know now what it is my duty to do.”

West was silent.

”Oh, do speak and help me!” cried Anson. ”Don't stand by and see me ruined, West! You know how he has taken up lately with the new superintendent of police, and been always with him, and watching the poor natives till he is half a detective himself, and goes about suspecting innocent people. I am innocent, West, and it's all a horrible mistake of his, or a cruel trick to ruin me; and I'm afraid I've been mistaken in him altogether, and that it is a wicked conspiracy.”

”Ingleborough wouldn't do a mean thing!” said West warmly.

”That's what I want to believe,” whined Anson; ”but he's got hold of two diamonds, and he's going to charge me with buying them, and he'll get me sent to Cape Town breakwater.”

”Not if you are innocent!” said West.

”Well, that's what I am, and he can't prove that I've any of the precious stones about me. Come and search me if you like!”

”You will be searched by the police authorities,” said Ingleborough sternly.

”What!--Oh, it's abominable!” cried Anson. ”Here, West, aren't you going to do anything to help an innocent man?”

”What can I do,” said West, ”but look on? I'll tell you this, though: I don't believe it possible of you! There must be some mistake!”

”Thank you for nothing,” cried Anson bitterly. ”It's the old story--and you call yourself a friend! Well, I'm not going to be bullied. I've given you both a chance to own that you are all wrong; but you always were both of you dead against me. I'll do now what I ought to have done at once--go to the princ.i.p.als. I shall get justice there.”

Saying this, he clapped on his hat, giving it a fierce c.o.c.k on one side, pa.s.sed out, and banged the door after him.

Ingleborough paid no heed to his companion's enquiring look, but crossed quickly to the window and looked out.

”Anson thinks he is going to make a bolt,” said Ingleborough, half to himself; ”but he'll soon find out his mistake.”

”How?” said West eagerly.

”Norton is outside with a couple of the police,” Ingleborough replied.

”But this is very horrible!” cried West. ”Once more, are you quite sure that you have not made a mistake?”

”Quite! I am certain!”

”But is it wise to be so certain?”

”Yes,” replied Ingleborough quietly. ”Surely I can believe my own eyes!”

”But might he not have been questioning the Kaffirs, as he said?”

”Certainly,” replied Ingleborough, with a grim smile; ”but I do not see why he should receive two diamonds from them and give them money in exchange, and lastly why he should flick the two diamonds away into the dust as soon as he caught sight of me. Do you?”

”No,” said West thoughtfully. ”Well, I am very sorry. What will be the next proceeding?”

”The next thing in an ordinary way would be that the scoundrel would bolt; but, as he must have found out by this time that he is carefully watched, he will no doubt go straight to the princ.i.p.als and brave it out by telling them his own tale and trying to persuade them that I have hatched up a conspiracy against him.”