Part 10 (2/2)
”Yes, sir. The Boers are gradually closing in, I am told. But I'll keep an eye on Mr Anson here all the same.”
Five minutes later the party were on their way back to the mine buildings, where the first thing that West heard was that the Boers were gathering in great force, and, as far as could be judged, were making the Diamond City their objective.
Troubles were gathering fast, and news kept on coming hotter and hotter.
West and Ingleborough were back in their places at the office, talking over the war news and mingling with it the scenes they had just gone through.
”Norton promised me he'd call in here when he left the governors,” said Ingleborough.
”Then he must have forgotten it,” replied West, ”for he has been with them quite an hour. I say, I didn't know that you were such a friend of the superintendent.”
”Well, I'm not in the habit of talking much,” said Ingleborough, smiling. ”But I do like him; he's such a straightforward, manly fellow, and I take so much interest in the way he runs down criminals. I often wish I had joined the detectives who have this diamond-smuggling in hand.”
”Pst! here he is!” said West quickly, for there were steps outside, and directly after a sharp rap at the door.
”May I come in, Ingleborough?”
”Yes. _Entrez_! West said you'd gone.”
”Did he? You knew I was not?”
Ingleborough nodded.
”What have they decided?” he asked.
”To let the matter drift for the present: only I'm to keep an eye on the scoundrel. They say that we shall all have our hands full enough directly in strengthening the town, and they're right. I'm afraid we're going to have a warm time.”
”Think they'll attack us?” asked West.
”Safe to. Now's the time for you volunteers to show what you're made of, for I believe that the enemy will make straight for Kimberley. Our getting the diamond-fields has always been a sore point with them, and we shall have our work cut out to save them.”
”Yes,” said Ingleborough thoughtfully, ”and if I'm not mistaken, you'll have more cause to watch Anson than for smuggling. He has his knife into the company.”
”Exactly,” said Norton; ”and if he can make friends with and help the enemy, he will.”
”You mean he'll be a dangerous spy in the camp?” said West excitedly.
”That's it, Mr West; but if he plays that game and is caught his punishment will not be a couple of years on the breakwater.”
”No,” said Ingleborough: ”the military will deal with him then.”
”How?” asked West, whose veins began to tingle and a cold shuddering sensation to run down his spine.
”A couple of lines of infantry, a volley of musketry, and--”
”Finis,” said the superintendent. ”Good day. I don't wish him any harm; but I feel pretty sure he'll run straight into some trap. That sort of fellow always does.”
The next minute the door had closed upon the superintendent, and the two young men sat thoughtfully looking in each other's eyes.
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