kind of way, "if you can’t come, and send any one in your place, let him show me that funny _steenje_ which you wear on your watch-chain, and I shall know he is your man, and will do what he asks me." The _steenje_, I must tell you, was nothing else than a piece of New Zealand jade, carved rather curiously in the shape of a fish. Well, there’s the end of my yarn. I am dead tired, and feeling very ill. The ague is coming on again, as you can see by my handwriting." "Here," interjected Mr. Blakeney, "as you can see, Guy, your poor father’s writing has become very shaky. But he has underscored the remaining lines of his letter, and they run thus:-- "’My dear Charlie, _I consider this discovery is very important. Poeskop, who was in my service five months, is a most shrewd and reliable little chap. I know he is not lying. I know he has found a place very rich in gold. Of this I am absolutely confident. If I’m right, there is a fortune for all of us. If I get through this bout of fever I shall ask you to give up your ranching for six months, and come and join me at Mossamedes in June. If I go under--and something tells me I shall--I beg you to go on my behalf. Take with you a good and reliable mining engineer; and if Guy is with you, take him. If you cannot go this year, go next_. I can’t finish ... what I meant to say. This fever is too much for me. _You and Guy are to go shares if the gold is right_.--From yours ever, "’J. S. HARDCASTLE.’ "Well now, Guy," added his uncle, "there’s the yarn. Look over the letter yourself." Guy read the letter again, with a serious face, from beginning to end. "Poor pater!" he said, as he concluded, the tears standing in his eyes; "he was ill indeed when he wrote and underscored these last lines. Oh, that he could have been with us now!" "Would that he could have been, Guy!" said his uncle feelingly; "would that he could! Having read that letter, you will understand something of my anxiety. If your father’s surmises are correct, there is a fortune for us all. And yet any ordinary business man would say the whole thing is a mere wild-goose chase, a will-of-the-wisp. I am bothered awfully; I hardly know what to say, what to do." Guy Hardcastle sprang to his feet. "Uncle Charles!" he exclaimed, "I’m certain this is no wild-goose chase! My father had a great knowledge of men and things, especially where natives and mining were concerned. He wasn’t a mad enthusiast; in fact, I always looked upon him as a very long-headed and cautious man. I’m only a boy; but that was my impression. Let us go. I’m certain that our search will be a success!"