“Because I don’t want to be laughed at by you chaps and called a fool,” he said. “I’m not stupid enough as it is to believe he has any diamonds hidden.”
“Well, I am,” said Ingleborough coolly.
“Ha, ha, ha!” laughed Anson mockingly. “You go on with the search then, and find them.”
“There is no need,” said Ingleborough coldly; “those two know what they’re about.”
He was wrong in saying “two,” for the under-searcher now continued the examination, and Anson’s eyes were screwed-up and twinkled again upon seeing the man give up at the end of another two minutes and shrug his shoulders.
“No go,” he said, turning to his companion. “Someone has been too clever here.”
“Look again,” said his chief.
“No: I shan’t look any more. I’ve done.”
West’s eyes were resting upon the Kaffir, and he saw the man draw in a deep slow breath which made his broad chest expand, retaining the air for a minute and then slowly ejecting it.
“Ah! you’ll never make a first-class searcher, Jem,” said the head man.