Rupert's face changed. Something of its coarseness vanished, his lips straightened, and he looked less like a mulatto.
"I did expect you. Anyhow, I heard white men were coming, although I could only account for one," he said and added with an ominous smile: "I sent to meet you because I did not want you to lose your way."
Marston knew that in Africa the negroes can signal news across the bush with remarkable speed. It looked as if Rupert had learned how this was done and taught his people.
"Whom did you expect?" he asked.
"Peters. He is a fool, but he has pluck. Some pluck is needed when one tries to blackmail me!"
"I imagine Peters will come later, but not to bargain with you," Marston said dryly. "We have some grounds for believing he means to sell you to the Government."
Rupert's glance got very keen. "Ah," he said, "this is interesting! Perhaps it explains your visit, which rather puzzled me."
"Before long you will get some fresh news," Wyndham interposed. "Larrinaga and the German colonel, with two or three companies of cazadores, have landed and are marching for your village."
For a few moments Rupert did not move and his face was inscrutable. Then he looked up and the red veins in his eyes were very plain.
"Is this true? You will find it dangerous to cheat me!"