As we both knew where it was—or indeed in any case—the opportunity seemed not a bad one. But I said:
“You must remember, Miss Sewin, that native doctors, like white ones, don’t practice for nothing, and often on the same terms. What if this one should ask as the price of his services—no—professional attendance, shouldn’t it be?—a great deal more than the lost article’s worth?”
“Don’t let him. But in any case I don’t believe he has the ghost of a chance of finding it.”
“Don’t you be too sure,” I said. And then, before I could open upon him on the subject Ukozi opened on me on another.
“Nyamaki is not home again, Iqalaqala?”
I was beginning to get sick of the disappearing Hensley by that time, so I answered shortly:
“Not yet.”
“Ha! The Queen cannot do everything, then. You did not go home that night, Iqalaqala?”
“I did not. Your múti is great, Ukozi—great enough to stop a horse.”
“Múti! Who talks of múti? I did but foresee. And Umsindo? He, too, did not reach Nyamaki’s house that night?”