“Yes: anything more?”
“I know him to be a cowardly liar, sir, and—”
“Oh!” groaned Anson. “I never heard anything like it.”
“Go on,” said the General.
“Lastly, sir, because he set it about that I had volunteered to carry a despatch to Mafeking so as to get away with the diamonds I had smuggled.”
“And did you?” said the General.
“I got away to Mafeking with the despatch!” said West, smiling.
“And where are the diamonds in question?”
“My friend and I believe that they are in James Anson’s wagon,” said West bitterly, for he felt bitter then against the traitor, whose proceedings he recalled when they were prisoners. Later on he felt a little sorry for his words.
“Oh!” cried Anson, throwing up his hands and looking appealingly at the General, who fixed him with his eyes.