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Sundayreally I do not know which is the worse。 Well； then； I must do
my own share and yours too； I suppose；〃 and he turned with a shrug of
his shoulders。
XIV
THE FLIGHT
The next morning； Sunday； Meyer went to work on his new plan。 What it
was Benita did not trouble to inquire； but she gathered that it had
something to do with the measuring out of the chapel cave into squares
for the more systematic investigation of each area。 At twelve o'clock
he emerged for his midday meal； in the course of which he remarked
that it was very dreary working in that place alone； and that he would
be glad when it was Monday； and they could accompany him。 His words
evidently disturbed Mr。 Clifford not a little； and even excited some
compunction in the breast of Benita。
What would his feelings be； she wondered； when he found that they had
run away； leaving him to deal with their joint undertaking single…
handed！ Almost was she minded to tell him the whole truth； yetand
this was a curious evidence of the man's ascendancy over hershe did
not。 Perhaps she felt that to do so would be to put an end to their
scheme； since then by argument； blandishments； threats； force； or
appeal to their sense of loyalty； it mattered not which； he would
bring about its abandonment。 But she wanted to fulfil that scheme； to
be free of Bambatse； its immemorial ruins； its graveyard cave； and the
ghoul； Jacob Meyer； who could delve among dead bones and in living
hearts with equal skill and insight； and yet was unable to find the
treasure that lay beneath either of them。
So they hid the truth； and talked with feverish activity about other
things； such as the drilling of the Makalanga； and the chances of an
attack by the Matabele； which happily now seemed to be growing small；
also of the conditions of their cattle； and the prospect of obtaining
more to replace those that had died。 Indeed； Benita went farther； in
her new…found zeal of deception she proceeded to act a lie； yes； even
with her father's reproachful eyes fixed upon her。 Incidentally she
mentioned that they were going to have an outing； to climb down the
ladder and visit the Makalanga camp between the first and second walls
and mix with the great world for a few hours； also to carry their
washing to be done there； and bring up some clean clothes and certain
books which she had left below。
Jacob came out of his thoughts and calculations； and listened
gloomily。
〃I have half a mind to come with you；〃 he said； words at which Benita
shivered。 〃It certainly is most cursed lonesome in that cave； and I
seem to hear things in it； as though those old bones were rattling；
sounds like sighs and whispers too； which are made by the draught。〃
〃Well； why don't you？〃 asked Benita。
It was a bold stroke； but it succeeded。 If he had any doubts they
vanished； and he answered at once：
〃Because I have not the time。 We have to get this business finished
one way or another before the wet season comes on； and we are drowned
out of the place with rain； or rotted by fever。 Take your afternoon
out； Miss Clifford； every maid of all work is entitled to as much； and
I am afraid that is your billet here。 Only；〃 he added； with that care
for her safety which he always showed in his more temperate moods；
〃pray be careful； Clifford； to get back before sundown。 That wall is
too risky for your daughter to climb in the dusk。 Call me from the
foot of it； you have the whistle； and I will come down to help her up。
I think I'll go with you after all。 No； I won't。 I made myself so
unpleasant to them yesterday that those Makalanga can't wish to see
any more of me at present。 I hope you will have a more agreeable
afternoon than I shall。 Why don't you take a ride outside the wall？
Your horses are fat and want exercise； and I do not think that you
need be afraid of the Matabele。〃 Then without waiting for an answer；
he rose and left them。
Mr。 Clifford looked after him doubtfully。
〃Oh； I know；〃 said Benita； 〃it seems horribly mean； but one must do
shabby things sometimes。 Here are the bundles all ready； so let us be
off。〃
Accordingly they went； and from the top of the wall Benita glanced
back to bid goodbye to that place which she hoped never to see again。
Yet she could not feel as though she looked her last upon it； to her
it wore no air of farewell； and even as she descended the perilous
stairs； she found herself making mental notes as to how they might
best be climbed again。 Also； she could not believe that she had done
with Mr。 Meyer。 It seemed to her as though for a long while yet her
future would be full of him。
They reached the outer fortifications in safety； and there were
greeted with some surprise but with no displeasure by the Makalanga；
whom they found still drilling with the rifles； in the use of which a
certain number of them appeared to have become fairly proficient。
Going to the hut in which the spare goods from the waggon had been
stored； they quickly made their preparations。 Here also； Mr。 Clifford
wrote a letter； one of the most unpleasant that he had ever been
called upon to compose。 It ran thus：
〃Dear Meyer；
〃I don't know what you will think of us； but we are escaping from
this place。 The truth is that I am not well； and my daughter can
bear it no longer。 She says that if she stops here； she will die；
and that hunting for treasure in that ghastly grave…yard is
shattering her nerves。 I should have liked to tell you； but she
begged me not； being convinced that if I did； you would over…
persuade us or stop us in some way。 As for the gold； if you can
find it； take it all。 I renounce my share。 We are leaving you the
waggon and the oxen； and starting down country on our horses。 It
is a perilous business； but less so than staying here； under the
circumstances。 If we never meet again we hope that you will
forgive us； and wish you all good fortune。Yours sincerely and
with much regret；
〃T。 Clifford。〃
The letter written； they saddled the horses which had been brought up
for their inspection； and were found to be in good case； and fastened
their scanty belongings； and as many cartridges as they could carry in
packs behind their saddles。 Then； each of them armed with a riflefor
during their long journeyings Benita had learned to shootthey
mounted and made for the little side…entrance； as the main gate
through which they had passed on their arrival was now built up。 This
side…entrance； a mere slit in the great wall； with a precipitous
approach； was open； for now that their fear of the Matabele had to
some extent passed off； the Makalanga used it to drive their sheep and
goats in and out； since it was so constructed with several twists and
turns in the thickness of the wall； that in a few minutes it could be
effectually blocked by stones that lay at hand。 Also； the ancient
architect had arranged it in such a fashion that it was