Sir Stephen paced up and done, his hands clenched behind him; his fine

leonine head bent; then he stopped in front of the chair, and frowned

down into the scowling face.

"Falconer, you wrong me--it was not so bad, so black as it looked. It's

true I sold the claim; but I swear that I intended saving half for you.

But news was brought in that you were dead--a man said that he had seen

you fall, that you were dead and buried. I had to leave the camp the

night the money was paid: it would not have been safe to remain: you

know what the place was, and that the man who was known to have money

carried his life in his hand. I left the camp and tramped south. Before

a month had passed, the money had gone; if I had had any doubts of your

death, it was too late to enquire; it would have been useless; as I

tell you, the money was gone. But I hadn't any doubts; in simple truth,

I thought you were dead."

Falconer looked round the luxurious room.

"You lost the money? But you appear to have picked it up again; you

seem to be pretty flourishing, my friend; when you got on your feet

again and made your pile, why didn't you find out whether your old pal

was alive or dead?"

Sir Stephen was silent for a space, then he raised his head and met the

other's accusing gaze unflinchingly.

"I'll tell you--I'll tell you the whole truth, Falconer; and if you can

make excuse for me, if you can put yourself in my place--"

He drew his hand across his brow as if the sweat had broken out upon

it. "The luck was dead against me for a time, the old luck that had

haunted you and me; then it swung round completely--as it generally

does when it changes at all. I was out in Africa, on the tramp, picking

up a day's work now and again at the farms--you know the life! One day

I saw a Kaffir boy playing with some rough stones--"

Falconer nodded.

"Diamonds. I fancy I've read an account of the great Sir Stephen Orme's

first beginnings," he put in with a touch of sarcasm.

Sir Stephen reddened.

"I daresay. It was the start, the commencement of the luck. From the

evening I took those stones in my hands--great Heaven! I can see the

place now, the sunset on the hill; the dirty brat playing in the

dust!--the luck has stood by me. Everything I touched turned out right.

I left the diamond business and went in for land: wherever I bought

land towns sprang up and the land increased in value a thousandfold.

Then I stood in with the natives: you've heard of the treaty--"




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