"Eh, what!" exclaimed Colonel Narfield in surprise. "I thought——"
A bang on the door saved the situation. Tenpenny Nail entered, with a grin on his face and a piece of paper screwed up in his hand.
"Pencil-talk him come, sah!" he announced.
"Who from?" asked Colonel Narfield, taking a note, for communications of that description were few and far between in and around the Kilembonga Estate.
"Me make ask Blue Fly—him tell," said the Haussa equivocally.
However, the Colonel did not press the point. His own question was a superfluous one. It would be answered when he read the note.
It was in Colin's handwriting, and read as follows:
"There is a mistake somewhere. This is not our Van der Wyck. We'll tell you when we have a chance of seeing you alone. Please don't say anything to upset the old man; he's rather a good sort.—COLIN."
"All right, Tenpenny Nail," said the Colonel. "No answer."
He gave a confirmatory glance at Sinclair and then turned to Van der Wyck.