* * * * * I could agree with that, but I did not say so. I said, "You'd better cast me loose, Jetta and me. I suppose you realize, De Boer, that you'll have the patrols like a pack of hounds after you. Jetta is a Nareda citizen: the United States will take that up. There's the theft of the treasure. And as you say, I'm a Government agent." He nodded. "Your Government is over-zealous in protecting its agents. That I know, Grant. I might have left you alone, there in the garden, when I realized it. But that, by damn, was too late! Live men talk. Any way, if I cannot ransom you, to kill you is very easy. And dead men are shut-mouthed." "I'm still alive, De Boer." He eyed me. "You talk brave." This condescending, amused giant! I retorted. "How are you going to ransom me?" "That," he said. "I have not yet planned it. A delicate business." I ventured, "And Jetta?" My heart was beating fast. "Jetta," he said with a sudden snap, "is none of your business." Again his gaze went toward her. "I might marry her: why not? I am not wholly a villain. I could marry her legally in Cape Town, with all the trappings of clergy--and be immune from capture under the laws there. If she is seventeen. I have forgotten her age, it's been so long since I knew her. Is she seventeen? She does not look it." I said shortly. "I don't know how old she is." "But we can ask her when she awakens, can't we?" * * * * * He was amusing himself with me. And yet, looking back on it now, I believe he was more than half serious. From his pouch he drew a small cylinder. "Have a drink, Grant. After all I bear you no ill-will. A man can but follow his trade: you were trying to be a good Government agent." "Thanks." "And then you may make it possible for me to pick a nice ransom. Here." "I hope so." I declined the drink. "Afraid for your wits?" I said impulsively, "I want all my wits to make sure you handle this ransom properly, De Boer. I'm as interested as you are: in that at least, we are together." He grinned, tipped the cylinder at his lips for a long drink. "Quite so--a mutual interest. Let us be friends over it." His gaze wandered back to Jetta. He added slowly: "She is very lovely, Grant. A little woodland flower, just ready for plucking." A sentimental tone, but there was in his expression a ribald flippancy that sent a shudder through me. "She has quite overcome you, Grant. Well, why not me as well? I am certainly more of a man than you. We must admit that Perona had a good eye." * * * * * My thoughts were wandering. Suppose I could not find an opportunity to escape with Jetta? De Boer might successfully ransom me and take her to Cape Town. Or if he feared that to try for the ransom would be too dangerous, doubtless he would kill me out of hand. An ill outcome indeed! Nor could I forget that there was half a million of treasure involved.