'Make certain they are all destroyed,' he said. 'You understand? Be very careful not to touch the needle of the syringe.'
'Yes, master.'
When he had gone, Kahlenberg took out the ring and regarded it. Was this now a lethal weapon? he asked himself. The witch doctor must be over eighty years of age. Had he lost his cunning? Could he be trusted? If the poison were lethal, could the tiny hollow needle, hidden in the cluster of diamonds, have become blocked with dust? If it had he would be wasting his time, and this was something Kahlenberg never tolerated. He had to know for certain. He sat thinking, then making up his mind, he put the ring on the fourth finger of his right hand and turned the ring the wrong way round. He propelled himself into the garden, followed by Hindenburg.
It took him a little time to find Zwide, a Bantu about whom Kemosa had often complained, saying this man was not only incurably lazy but also ill-treated his wife. He was due to be dismissed at the end of the month, and to Kahlenberg's callous thinking no loss to anyone.
He found him squatting in the shade, half asleep. When he saw Kahlenberg, he rose hurriedly to his feet, grabbed up a hoe and began feverishly weeding a nearby rose bed.
Kahlenberg stopped his chair beside him. Hindenburg sat, his eyes watchful.
'I hear you are leaving at the end of the month, Zwide,' Kahlenberg said quietly.
The man nodded dumbly, stiff with fear.
Kahlenberg stretched out the ringed hand.
'I wish you good fortune. Shake my hand.'
Zwide hesitated, his eyes rolling with embarrassment, then reluctantly stretched out his hand. Kahlenberg caught the dirty pink palmed hand in a hard, firm grip, his eyes intent on the man's face. He saw him give a little start. Then Kahlenberg released the hand and set the chair in motion. When he had gone a few metres, he looked back.
Zwide was staring with a bewildered expression at his hand and as Kahlenberg watched, Zwide raised a finger to his mouth and licked it.
Kahlenberg went on his way. At least the needle had scratched, he thought. In twelve hours time he would know if the ring was lethal.
As Gaye reached the clearing, she heard the engine of the helicopter start up. She came to a standstill watching the propellers churning. She could see Garry at the controls.
She cried, 'Hey! Wait for me!'
But he didn't hear her. The machine took off, climbing steeply and then went out of sight behind the trees.
Ken and Themba had got the tent up. They had been also watching the take-off. Now they continued to unload the Land Rover. She joined them.
'Why didn't he wait for me?' she asked. 'That was mean!' Ken grinned.
'You ask him when he comes back. Where's our lovely boy friend?'
'Having a swim.'
There was a note in her voice that made him look sharply at her.
'Trouble?'
'The usual, but I settled it.'
'You're quite a girl.' His look of admiration pleased her. 'Be careful of him . . . he's vicious.'
'Themba and I can take care of him.' He dragged out the four sleeping bags. 'I'm putting yours between Garry's and mine. Themba sleeps next to me . . . then Fennel.'
She nodded.
'It's only for one night, isn't it?'
'Yes . . . for him and me, but two nights for Garry and you.' He looked up at the clouds moving across the sky. 'The sooner we get off the better. If it rains the road will be a real mess. You'll be all right on your own with Garry . . . he's a good guy.'
'I know.'
