Evening star., 1936-03-22
Continued from page thirteen

set off, across that filthy desert in
their wretched ox-wagon is to follow
them in our plane"
Back at the Carlton Hotel in
johannesburg after their trip to Dur
ban and Sezela. Wisdom told the Longs
that at least two other white men
would be necessary as assistants for
the next stage of their journey
At first Henry protested, but after
Wisdom reminded him of the Valley of
the Leopards. through which they had
to pass. and went into a graphic
description of the dangers of a journey
into the Kalahari, he agreed to their
taking on two other men.
1t amazed Patricia more each day
to see how this man whom she knew
only as Wisdom had succeeded in
gaining her fathers confidence.
Actually Henry despised the man
but considered that he had made a
shrewd move in securing the assist
ance of this adventurer. so expe-
rienced in the ways of a country
strange to him. and he believed that
he would be able to bend Wisdom to
his will and sever his connection with
him directly his objective had been
achieved.
That afternoon, as Patricia walked
into the lounge she was astonished to
see Michael coming towards her.
why Michael" she exclaimed de-
lightedly.
so you have arrived" he said,
smiling down at her. Its bit SUI
prising to see you here so soon How
long have you been in Johannesburg?"
ITS just over a week since we first
arrived here" she said airily, because
We had the sense to fly"
Michael chuckled. We'll. You were
clever think we ought to have a lot
to tell each other by now, don't you?
How about letting me take you out to
dinner tOnlgnt!
Il should love that" Patricia
agreed.
They arranged to meet at seven
thirty, in the Palm Court. At a quar-
ter past seven Michael was ordering
cocktail in the Court, and feeling dis
tinctly thrilled at the thought of the
evening which lay before him.
Upstairs Patricia hummed a little
tune to herself as she combed her
auburn curls. Only after seeing him
again that afternoon had she fully
realized how much of her thoughts
had been devoted to Michael since she
left England.
The commissionaire inform e d
Michael that, if they had not already
been there. Assvogelskop was un-
doubtedly place that they should
visit. Hiring taxi they drove up into
the hills beyond the city to the
famous night resort.
Michael" Patricia looked across
at him with shining eyes as they sat
down at table on the edge of the
dance floor. Il can't bear the thought
of your running all over Africa and
spending your money to no purpose
when we've done it all for you in the
last week. Anyhow I'm going to tell
you the result of our inquiries so far"
That's sweet of you," he said with
q: affectionate smile. Il was just
going to say the same thing. Let S
swap our stories" He told her then
of his good fortune in tracing Mrs.
Orkney and ascertaining important
particulars of their uncle's journey
from the Van Niekerks.
: Although Patricia made little men,
ton of Wisdom in her story. Michael
sensed her strong antagonism to this
stranger whom her step-father had
taken on as courier. With this mind.
Michael urged her to plan to stay in
Upington or Zwartveldt instead of
accompanying her step-father and
Wisdom into the desert.
II wouldn't mind" he explained,