Their mission was the same as Mr. Botha's, the secret time-table, and Mr. Jannie, as he drew Hansie aside, urged her to do all in her power to procure a copy of this valuable book. The same ground was gone over, with the same result, "We can but try." That whole morning was spent in seeing different people, trusted friends, on the subject, and everywhere Hansie and her mother were met with the same objections. Most people had never heard of this time-table, and those who knew of its existence, were convinced that it would be quite impossible to get a sight of it, as it was in the hands of officials only. The afternoon again was spent in roaming disconsolately about the streets of Pretoria, weary and discouraged. Suddenly Hansie exclaimed: "Oh mamma, how stupid we have been! Why, we never thought of D. He is the only one who can help us. Let us go to him." Mrs. van Warmelo's tired face beamed at her daughter. "_Of course_, but I dare not go to him direct--that would be indiscreet indeed. Let us send some one for him." "F.?" Hansie suggested. "Yes, he would do." They were walking rapidly to an office on Church Square, when they met the very man they were in search of. "This is wonderful!" Hansie exclaimed. "We were just going to ask F. to call on you, as we have a great request to make." Talking in rapid whispers, the trio walked across the Square. The man's face was inscrutable at first, but his curt and business-like way soon gave place to a look of thoughtful contemplation. "This is about the most unheard-of request that has ever been made to me. I know the book exists, but I have never seen it--I shall have to think about this. When must you have it?" "Before six o'clock this evening," Hansie answered. "Will you leave me now?" he said. "I must think. If by any chance I am able to procure a copy, you will find it under your front door between 5 and 6 o'clock." Well satisfied, the two ladies proceeded on their way home, when they were met by Consul Nieuwenhuis, who invited them to have tea with him at Frascati's. Hansie looked at her mother. "I think we have earned it--don't you?" Mrs. van Warmelo nodded and laughed. Arrived at Frascati's they found a regular gathering of the Consuls, gaily chatting while they partook of the good things set before them. "Oh, mother!" Hansie said regretfully, when they had parted from their friends. "What a pity we could not tell them anything! How they would have enjoyed sharing our sensations! I can tear the very hair out of my head at having to keep all these adventures to myself!" They then went to Mrs. Joubert's house to tell the spies that there was just a chance that one of the people they had seen that day would get the time-table for them.