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yell； for underneath it lay a torpid snake； doubtless one of those
that had been used in the performance。
Of these discoveries and many other details； on our return to the
house； Lord Ragnall made full notes in a pocket…book； that when
completed were signed by all three of us。
There is not much more to tell； that is of this part of the story。 The
matter was put into the hands of detectives who discovered that the
Easterns had driven to London； where all traces of the carriage which
conveyed them was lost。 They； however； embarked upon a steamer called
the /Antelope/； together with two native women； who probably had been
provided to look after Miss Holmes； and sailed that very afternoon for
Egypt。 Thither； of course； it was useless to follow them in those
days； even if it had been advisable to do so。
To return to Miss Holmes。 She came down to breakfast looking very
charming but rather pale。 Again I sat next to her and took some
opportunity to ask her how she had rested that night。
She replied； Very well and yet very ill； since； although she never
remembered sleeping more soundly in her life； she had experienced all
sorts of queer dreams of which she could remember nothing at all； a
circumstance that annoyed her much； as she was sure that they were
most interesting。 Then she added；
〃Do you know； Mr。 Quatermain； I found a lot of mud on my dressing…gown
this morning； and my bedroom slippers were also a mass of mud and wet
through。 How do you account for that？ It is just as though I had been
walking about outside in my sleep； which is absurd； as I never did
such a thing in my life。〃
Not feeling equal to the invention of any convincing explanation of
these phenomena； I upset the marmalade pot on to the table in such a
way that some of it fell upon her dress； and then covered my retreat
with profuse apologies。 Understanding my dilemma； for he had heard
something of this talk； Lord Ragnall came to my aid with a startling
statement of which I forget the purport； and thus that crisis passed。
Shortly after breakfast Scroope announced to Miss Manners that her
carriage was waiting； and we departed。 Before I went； as it chanced； I
had a few private words with my host； with Miss Holmes； and with the
magnificent Mr。 Savage。 To the last； by the way； I offered a tip which
he refused； saying that after all we had gone through together he
could not allow 〃money to come between us；〃 by which he meant； to pass
from my pocket to his。 Lord Ragnall asked me for both my English and
my African addresses； which he noted in his pocket…book。 Then he said；
〃Really； Quatermain； I feel as though I had known you for years
instead of three days； if you will allow me I will add that I should
like to know a great deal more of you。〃 （He was destined to do so；
poor fellow； though neither of us knew it at the time。） 〃If ever you
come to England again I hope you will make this house your
headquarters。〃
〃And if ever you come to South Africa； Lord Ragnall； I hope you will
make my four…roomed shanty on the Berea at Durban your headquarters。
You will get a hearty welcome there and something to eat； but little
more。〃
〃There is nothing I should like better； Quatermain。 Circumstances have
put me in a certain position in this country； still to tell you the
truth there is a great deal about the life of which I grow very tired。
But you see I am going to be married； and that I fear means an end of
travelling； since naturally my wife will wish to take her place in
society and the rest。〃
〃Of course；〃 I replied； 〃for it is not every young lady who has the
luck to become an English peeress with all the etceteras； is it？ Still
I am not so sure but that Miss Holmes will take to travelling some
day； although I /am/ sure that she would do better to stay at home。〃
He looked at me curiously； then asked；
〃You don't think there is anything really serious in all this
business； do you？〃
〃I don't know what to think；〃 I answered； 〃except that you will do
well to keep a good eye upon your wife。 What those Easterns tried to
do last night and； I think； years ago； they may try again soon； or
years hence； for evidently they are patient and determined men with
much to win。 Also it is a curious coincidence that she should have
that mark upon her which appeals so strongly to Messrs。 Har？t and
Mar？t； and； to be brief； she is in some ways different from most young
women。 As she said to me herself last night； Lord Ragnall； we are
surrounded by mysteries； mysteries of blood； of inherited spirit； of
this world generally in which it is probable that we all descended
from quite a few common ancestors。 And beyond these are other
mysteries of the measureless universe to which we belong； that may
already be exercising their strong and secret influences upon us； as
perhaps； did we know it； they have done for millions of years in the
Infinite whence we came and whither we go。〃
I suppose I spoke somewhat solemnly； for he said；
〃Do you know you frighten me a little； though I don't quite understand
what you mean。〃 Then we parted。
With Miss Holmes my conversation was shorter。 She remarked；
〃It has been a great pleasure to me to meet you。 I do not remember
anybody with whom I have found myself in so much sympathyexcept one
of course。 It is strange to think that when we meet again I shall be a
married woman。〃
〃I do not suppose we shall ever meet again； Miss Holmes。 Your life is
here； mine is in the wildest places of a wild land far away。〃
〃Oh！ yes； we shall；〃 she answered。 〃I learned this and lots of other
things when I held my head in that smoke last night。〃
Then we also parted。
Lastly Mr。 Savage arrived with my coat。 〃Goodbye； Mr。 Quatermain；〃 he
said。 〃If I forget everything else I shall never forget you and those
villains； Harum and Scarum and their snakes。 I hope it won't be my lot
ever to clap eyes on them again； Mr。 Quatermain； and yet somehow I
don't feel so sure of that。〃
〃Nor do I；〃 I replied； with a kind of inspiration； after which
followed the episode of the rejected tip。
CHAPTER VI
THE BONA FIDE GOLD MINE
Fully two years had gone by since I bade farewell to Lord Ragnall and
Miss Holmes； and when the curtain draws up again behold me seated on
the stoep of my little house at Durban； plunged in reflection and very
sad indeed。 Why I was sad I will explain presently。
In that interval of time I had heard once or twice about Lord Ragnall。
Thus I received from Scroope a letter telling of his lordship's
marriage with Miss Holmes； which； it appeared； had been a very fine
affair indeed； quite one of the events of the London season。 Two
Royalties attended the ceremony； a duke was the best man； and the
presents according to all accounts were superb and of great value；
including a priceless pearl necklace given by the bridegroom to the
bride。 A cutting from a society paper w