“Oh, we have. But it seems he’s up country somewhere. Still, there’s no doubt Mr. Cade was in Bulawayo when he said he was. But I wondered what he’d been doing before he came to South Africa. He’d only had that job with Castle’s about a month.” He took out his watch again. “I must be off. The car will be waiting.” Virginia watched him retreat to the house. But she did not move from her chair. She hoped that Anthony might appear and join her. Instead came Bill Eversleigh, with a prodigious yawn. “Thank God, I’ve got a chance to speak to you at last, Virginia,” he complained. “Well, speak to me very gently, Bill darling, or I shall burst into tears.” “Has some one been bullying you?” “Not exactly bullying me. Getting inside my mind and turning it inside out. I feel as though I’d been jumped on by an elephant.” “Not Battle?” “Yes, Battle. He’s a terrible man really.” “Well, never mind Battle. I say, Virginia, I do love you so awfully——” “Not this morning, Bill. I’m not strong enough. Anyway, I’ve always told you the best people don’t propose before lunch.” “Good Lord,” said Bill. “I could propose to you before breakfast.” Virginia shuddered. “Bill, be sensible and intelligent for a minute. I want to ask your advice.” “If you’d once make up your mind to it, and say you’d marry me, you’d feel miles better, I’m sure. Happier, you know, and more settled down.” “Listen to me, Bill. Proposing to me is your _idée fixe_. All men propose when they’re bored and can’t think of anything to say. Remember my age and my widowed state, and go and make love to a pure young girl.” “My darling Virginia—Oh, blast! here’s that French idiot bearing down on us.” It was indeed M. Lemoine, black-bearded and correct of demeanour as ever. “Good morning, madame. You are not fatigued, I trust?” “Not in the least.” “That is excellent. Good morning, Mr. Eversleigh.” “How would it be if we promenaded ourselves a little, the three of us?” suggested the Frenchman. “How about it, Bill?” said Virginia. “Oh, all right,” said the unwilling young gentleman by her side. He heaved himself up from the grass, and the three of them walked slowly along. Virginia between the two men. She was sensible at once of a strange undercurrent of excitement in the Frenchman, though she had no clue as to what caused it. Soon, with her usual skill, she was putting him at his ease, asking him questions, listening to his answers, and gradually drawing him out. Presently he was telling them anecdotes of the famous King Victor. He talked well, albeit with a certain bitterness, as he described the various ways in which the detective bureau had been outwitted.