“No, I heard nothing of Nathan.”
“That is strange; he and Koos left here last Friday week.”
“How can that be, then? My son Diedrik met Koos driving home from the dunes on Friday evening, and he was alone.”
Old Schalk smoked in silence for a few moments; then he called to Max, who came in immediately.
“Max, have you heard when Nathan is coming back?”
“No, Oom, I have heard nothing of him since he left here with Koos Bester.”
“That was on Friday week, eh?”
“Ja, Oom.”
Old Schalk smoked for a long time in silence; Max rejoined Susannah outside. One by one the male guests arose from their seats and left the awning. Outside they collected in two or three groups and conversed in whispers. Diederik, the young Boer who had been referred to in the conversation with Oom Dantje van Rooyen, was called from the mat-house, where he was dancing.
Diederik repeated his story. He had, undoubtedly, seen Koos Bester driving alone from the direction of the dunes on the evening of the day upon which Koos and Nathan left Namies. Although not spoken of, it was well known that Koos Bester had killed Gert Gemsbok, and every one had noticed the strangeness of Koos’ manner ever since.