"Rather a long way to come," observed Colin.
"Yes," replied the Colonel. "I hardly expected that he would accept, but these Afrikanders are fond of paying visits, especially if they have a chance of renewing their acquaintance with the country in which they fought. It would be interesting to learn how many of the South Africans are contemplating revisiting Flanders, for instance.
"I don't mind admitting that I'm changing my opinion of Van der Wyck. I honestly thought that what he told you about the Makoh'lenga was all eye-wash; but there's something about that swastika of yours, Colin, that requires a considerable amount of explanation. The natives about here seem to hold the thing in awe. Witness Sibenga and his headman; both of them were greatly impressed by it. Then, again, from what you told me, Van der Wyck tried to dissuade you from coming into contact with the Makoh'lenga. Why? Evidently he knows more about them than I do. That's not much, as far as I'm concerned, I'll admit; but if they, or, at any rate, one section of the tribe, possess some priceless secret, I'd like to fathom it.
"Directly we get a chance, lads, we'll have a little expedition into the Makoh'lenga country—taking due precautions—and see if your swastika commands as much respect as it does amongst the natives around Kilembonga."
A little later on Colin and Tiny had an opportunity of discussing the matter between themselves.
"I wonder why the Colonel did write?" remarked Colin.
"P'raps he had his suspicion," suggested Desmond. "About that train hold-up, I mean."
"If he did, he's jolly well mistaken," rejoined Sinclair. "We were a bit doubtful about it, you'll remember; but I'm dashed if I am now. It is impossible for a man to be at Mafeking and within a few miles off Tabora within twenty-four hours, unless he flew in an aeroplane. And it's a dead cert. he didn't, 'cause someone would have been sure to spot the machine—the natives especially. The news would spread all over the country in a few hours."
"How?" asked Desmond.
"Ask me another," replied his chum. "All I know is that news is communicated by the natives with marvellous rapidity. The boys here knew that Colonel Narfield's car was burned within an hour of the accident, and you know we didn't leave the spot until dawn. No, it's my firm belief that Van der Wyck is white. The fellow who didn't relieve us of our spare cash and gear was like him in a good many respects, but it couldn't possibly have been Van der Wyck."