precious stones, hides and skins, saler ivory and natural produce.
Despite this war, or because of it, Mr. Goldberg's emporium was doing
good business. It was crowded and Sean drifted unnoticed among the
customers, searching quietly for the proprietor.
He found him selling a bag of coffee beans to a gentleman who was
plainly sceptical of its quality. The discussion of the merits of Mr.
Goldberg's coffee beans as opposed to those of his competitor across
the street was becoming involved and technical.
Sean leaned against a shelf full of merchandise, packed his pipe, lit
it and while he waited he watched Mr. Goldberg in action. The man
should have been a barrister, his argument was strong enough to
convince first Sean and finally the customer.
The latter paid, slung the bag over his shoulder and grumbled his way
out of the shop, leaving Mr. Goldberg glowing pink and perspiring in
the flush of achievement.
'You haven't lost any weight, Izzy, ' Sean greeted him.
Goldberg peered at him uncertainly over his gold-framed spectacles,
beginning to smile until suddenly he recognized Sean. He blinked with
shock, jerked his head in a gesture of invitation so his jowls wobbled,
and disappeared into the back office. Sean followed him.
'Are you mad, Mr. Courtney?' Goldberg was waiting for him, quivering
with agitation. 'If they catch you. ' 'Listen Izzy. I arrived last
night. I haven't spoken to a white man in four years.
What the hell is going on here?'
'You haven't heard?'
'No, damn it, I haven't.'
'It's war, Mr. Courtney.
'I can see that. But where? Against whom?'
'On all the borders-Natal, the Cape.'
'Against?'
'The British Empire.' Goldberg shook his head as though he did not
believe his own statement. 'We've taken on the whole British Empire. '
'We?' Sean asked sharply.
'The Transvaal Republic and the Orange Free State. Already we have won
great victories, Ladysmith is besieged, Kimberley, Mafeking-' YOU,
personally?' 'I was born here in Pretoria. I am a burgher.
'Are you going to turn me in?'
'No, of course not. You've been a good customer of mine for years.
'Thanks, Izzy. Look, I've got to get out of here as fast as I can. 'It
would be wise.'
'What about my money at the Volkskaas-can I get it out?
Izzy shook his head sadly. 'They've frozen all enemy accounts.
'Damn it, God damn it! ' Sean swore bitterly, and then,
'IIzzy, I've got twenty wagons and ten tons of ivory parked out there
on the edge of town-are you interested?'
'How much?'
'Ten thousand for the lot; oxen, wagons, ivory-the lot.'
'It would not be patriotic, Mr. Courtney,' Goldberg decided
reluctantly. 'Trading with the enemy-besides I have only your word
that it's ten tons. ' 'Hell, Izzy, I'm not the British Army-that lot