“Let us go into the house, Miss Darcy,” and making a motion to the Bushman to follow, they entered the salon. The doctor sat down, and Bela stood and told his story. As he proceeded the doctor’s face was a study to Kate, who knew from its expression that something very strange had occurred.
In a few moments putting his fingers to Bela’s eyes, he lifted the lid and slipped the glass eye from under it. As he did so, the concealed diamond fell into his hand.
“Great Scott!” exclaimed the doctor.
Bela chuckled, and began to clap his hands and express delight in his usual way. Kate gave one look, and sank into a chair. They sat for a moment looking at each other, in stupefaction. Then Kate asked:
“What does it all mean?”
“It means that Donald Laure has been arrested on suspicion of being an I.D.B. and this creature has been a faithful servant to Mrs Laure. You may go outside and wait for me, Bela.” When the Bushman had gone, the doctor continued: “Knowing you were a friend to his mistress, he has run from the Fields to you, without stopping, carrying the diamond in his eye! These natives are wonderfully astute, and Bela knowing that as you were living in the Orange Free State out of the pale of the law of Griqua Land West, the land of diamonds, if he could deliver this diamond into your keeping, he would be safe, and every one else connected with it.”
“What would I have done with the diamond? Mercy! how glad I am that you are here.”
“Already, Kate, I am of use to you? I am very glad indeed, for your sake, that I am here.”
“What will you do with it?”
“Well, I shall consider the matter. It is late, and I must now go to my hotel. I will think it over and tell you my decision in the morning. This has been a memorable day in my existence, but it must end, more’s the pity.