"That is so," Yorke agreed; "but I am glad to say that you are the first person who has noticed it."
"I am not surprised at that, for you really speak it very well; it is more the tone of your voice than anything wrong in the language—or I may call it the dialect—that is noticeable."
"I have learned it partly from books, sir, but chiefly from conversing in it almost entirely for six months."
"You must have the knack of learning languages if you have picked it up so well in so short a time. You have only arrived here to-day, I suppose?"
"Yes, sir, half an hour ago."
"From Johannesburg?"
Yorke made a gesture of assent.
"You were, I suppose, intimate with Mr. Chambers?"
"I can scarcely say that I was intimate with him, but my man—for he is my servant as well as my friend—happened to overhear a plot to murder Mr. Chambers and loot his house, and he, with my Kaffir, Mr. Chambers and myself, gave the ruffians so warm a reception that there is not likely to be a repetition of the attempt."
"Were they a strong party?"