CHAPTER X

THE BEARER OF EVIL TIDINGS

It was late in the afternoon when Kelly returned to Blue Hill Farm.  He had been riding round Merston’s lands with Burke during a great part of the day, and he was comfortably tired.  He looked forward to spending a congenial evening with his hostess, and he hoped that young Guy would not be of too lively a turn, for he was in a mood for peace.

The first chill of evening was creeping over the veldt as he ambled along the trail past the kopje.  As he came within sight of the farm a wave of sentiment swept over him.

“Faith, it’s a jolly little homestead!” he said, with a sigh.  “Lucky devil—­Burke!”

There was no one about, and he took his horse to the stable and gave him a rub-down and feed before catering.  Then he made his way into the house from the back,

There was a light in the sitting-room, and he betook himself thither, picturing the homely scene of Sylvia knitting socks for her husband or engaged upon some housewifely task.

He announced himself with his customary, cheery garrulity as he entered.

“Ah, here I am again, Mrs. Burke!  And it’s good news I’ve got for ye.  Merston’s not so badly damaged after all, and your husband is hoping to be back by midday in the morning.”

He stopped short.  The room was not empty, but the figure that rose up with an easy, sinuous movement to meet him was not the figure he had expected to see.

“Good evening, Kelly!” said Saul Kieff.

“What the devil!” said Kelly.

Kieff smiled in a cold, detached fashion.  “I came over to find Mr. Burke Ranger.  But I gather he is away from home.”

“What have you come for?” said Kelly.

He did not like Kieff though his nature was too kindly to entertain any active antipathy towards anyone.  But no absence of intimacy could ever curb his curiosity, and he never missed any information for lack of investigation.

Kieff’s motionless black eyes took him in with satirical comprehension.  He certainly would never have made a confidant of such a man as Kelly unless it had suited his purpose.  He took several moments for consideration before he made reply.  “I presume you are aware,” he said then, “that Mrs. Ranger has left for Brennerstadt?”

“What?” said Kelly.

Kieff did not repeat his question.  He merely waited for it to sink in.  A faint, subtle smile still hovered about his sallow features.  It was obvious that he regarded his news in anything but a tragic light.

“Gone to Brennerstadt!” ejaculated Kelly at length.  “But what the devil would she go there for?  I was going myself to-morrow.  I’d have taken her.”

“She probably preferred to choose her own escort,” said Kieff.

“What?” said Kelly again.  “Man, is it the truth you’re giving me?”