“Or worse,” said Anson, grinning.
“Yes, because he’s older. Why, I quite trusted that fellow.”
“Ah, you’re not the first man who has been deceived, sir.”
“Of course not; but by the way, Mr Anson, why didn’t you say something of this kind in your defence when Ingleborough charged you before the directors?”
“Why didn’t I say something about it? Why, because I didn’t know. It only came to me too late. But there, you know now; and, as I said before, I wish you luck and a good haul, only unfortunately they’ve got a good start and you’ll have your work cut out. Going? Goodbye then.”
“Goodbye?” said the superintendent, using the word as a question.
“Yes, of course. I’m going to chance it. I don’t suppose we shall meet any Boers.”
“No; I don’t think you’ll meet any Boers,” said the officer, in so meaning a way that Anson grew uneasy.
“Why do you speak like that?” he said sharply.
“Only that it isn’t goodbye, Mr Anson.”