“Not much point in lying,” said Kieff coldly, “when there is nothing to be gained by it!  Mrs. Burke Ranger has gone to Brennerstadt by way of Ritzen, in the company of Guy Ranger.  Piet Vreiboom will tell you the same thing if you ask him.  He is going to Brennerstadt too to-morrow, and I with him.  Perhaps we can travel together.  We may overtake the amorous couple if we ride all the way.”

Without any apparent movement, his smile intensified at sight of the open consternation on Kelly’s red countenance.

“You seem surprised at something,” he said.

“I don’t believe a damn’ word of it,” said Kelly bluntly.  “You didn’t see them.”

“I saw them both,” said Kieff, still smiling, “Piet Vreiboom saw them also.  But the lady seemed to be in a great hurry, so we did not detain them.  They are probably at Ritzen by now, if not beyond.”

“Oh, damnation!” said Kelly tragically.

Kieff’s smile slowly vanished.  His eyes took on a stony, remote look as though the matter had ceased to interest him.  And while Kelly tramped impotently about the room, he leaned his shoulders against the wall and stared into space.

“I am really rather glad to have met you,” he remarked presently.  “Can you give me any tip regarding this diamond of Wilbraham’s?  You know its value to the tenth part of a farthing, I have no doubt.”

Kelly paused to glare at him distractedly, “Oh, curse the diamond!” he said, “It’s Mrs. Burke I’m thinking of.”

Kieff’s thin lips curled contemptuously.  “A woman!” he said, and snapped his fingers.  “A woman who can be bought and sold again—­for far less than half its cost!  My good Kelly!  Are you serious?”

Kelly stamped an indignant foot.  “You infernal, cold-blooded Kaffir!” he roared.  “I’m human anyway, which is more than you are!”

Kieff’s sneer deepened.  It was Kelly’s privilege always to speak his mind, and no one took offence however extravagantly he expressed himself.  “Can’t we have a drink?” he suggested, in the indulgent tone of one humouring a fractious child.

“Drink—­with you!” fumed Kelly.

Kieff smiled again.  “Of course you will drink with me!  It’s too good an excuse to miss.  What is troubling you?  Surely there is nothing very unusual in the fact that Mrs. Burke finds herself in need of a little change!”

Kelly groaned aloud.  “I’ve got to go and tell Burke.  That’s the hell of it.  Sure I’d give all the money I can lay hands on to be quit of that job.”

“You are over-sensitive,” remarked Kieff, showing a gleam of teeth between his colourless lips.  “He will think far less of this than of disease in his cattle or crops.  They were nothing to each other, nor ever could be.  She and Guy Ranger have been lovers all through.”

“Ah, faith then, I know better!” broke in Kelly.  “He worships her from the crown of her head to the sole of her foot.  He’ll be fit to kill young Guy for this.  By the saints above us, I could almost kill him myself.”