She knows all this,' Mungo said.
'Then what possessed her to make the attempt?'
'We argued. She resented the feeling which she knows that I still have, for you.'
Robyn fell back a pace, her cheeks paling and her breath catching in her throat.
'General Sint John, I forbid you to talk in that fashion.'
'you asked me, Robyn, and once, long ago, I told you that I would never forget that night aboard Huron 'Stop it! Stop it, this instant!
How can you speak like this when your wife is in dire danger?'
'Louise was never my wife,' he said quietly, staring into her green eyes with that single penetrating gaze.
'She was my travelling companion, never my wife.'
Robyn faltered, colour rushed back into her cheeks, and with it came a strange unaccountable pagan joy.
'You told me, once, that you were married.'
'I was, Robyn. Not to Louise. That other lady died many years ago in Navarre in France.'
Robyn confounded herself. She was married to a brave, kind man, in his own way a saintly man, while before her stood the embodiment of evil, the veritable serpent of Eden; and yet she could not suppress this wicked unconscionable elation at the knowledge that he was free, free for she knew not what, or could not bring herself to think on it.
'I shall go to the king,' she said, painfully aware of the quaver in her voice. 'I shall ask him to send men after your, after the lady.
I shall ask him also to give you the road, General, and I would consider it full repayment if you would take it immediately, and never return to Matabeleland.'
'what is between us can never be denied, Robyn, as long as we both live.'
'I do not wish to see you again.' With an effort of all her will she steadied her voice and met his eye.
'Robyn!'
'I shall send a messenger to you with the king's reply.'
'Robyn!'
'Please.' Her voice cracked again. 'In God's holy name, please leave me alone.'
However, it was two more days before Robyn sent Jordan Ballantyne to Mungo's camp.
'Doctor Codrington bids me tell you, sir, that the king has already sent one of his trusted indunas with a picked body of warriors after your wife. They have orders to protect her from the border guards and to escort her to the Shashi river.'
'Thank you, young man.'
'Furthermore, she asked me to tell you that the king has given you the road. You may follow your wife immediately.'
'Again my thanks to Doctor Codrington.'
'General Sint John, you do not remember me 'I am afraid -' Mungo frowned up at Jordan on the back of the dancing Arab mare.
'Jordan, Zouga Ballantyne's son. We met in Kimberley some years ago.'
'Ali! Of course, forgive me. You have changed.'
'General, I know that it is none of my business, but as you are a trusted friend of my father's, it is my duty to warn you that there were unpleasant rumours after your departure from Kimberley.'
'I did not know,' Mungo told him indifferently. 'Still, it is one of life's unpleasant truths that the more prominent a man becomes, the more determined are the mean little men to tear him down.'
'I know that, General. I am associated with a great man, 'Jordan checked himself. 'However, a police agent, a Griqua named Hendrick Naaiman claimed that you attended an I.D.B. rendezvous and that when you realized it was a trap you attempted to kill him.'
Mungo made an impatient gesture. 'Why should somebody of my standing, my estate, take such a ridiculous risk as to indulge in I.D.B?'
'That was what mister Rhodes said, sir. He has repeatedly expressed certainty of your innocence.'
'After I have found my wife I shall return immediately to Kimberley to confront this Naaiman person.'
'General Sint John, that will be neither necessary nor possible. Naaiman was killed some months ago in a knife fight in one of the drinking canteens. He cannot give evidence for or against you. Without either witness or accuser, your innocence is presumed.'
'Damn it -' Mungo frowned to cover his immense relief. 'I should have welcomed the chance to force his words down his lying throat, now there will always be doubts in some men's minds.'
to nly in the minds of the mean little men.' Jordan touched the brim of his cap. 'I shall not detain you further; you must be anxious to follow and find your wife. Good luck and God speed. I am sure we shall meet again, General.'
Mungo Sint John stared after Jordan as he rode away. It was hard to grasp the extent of his good fortune, the spectre of unrelenting justice that had pursued him from the south had vanished; he had the road to leave Matabeleland, and an immense fortune in diamonds to carry with him.
