Voice; he sucked the night air into his lungs but it was too rich for

him and he started coughing again. There were people waiting at the

head of the shaft and they crowded round them as they stepped out of the

skip. How is he? Are you all right, Sean? Doc Symmonds is waiting in

the office Quickly, Mbejane, said Duff, get him out of the cold.

One on either side of him they hurried Sean across to the administrative

building and laid him on the couch in Francois's office. Symmonds

checked him over, looked down his throat and felt his pulse. Have you

got a closed carriage here? Yes, Duff answered.

Well, wrap him up warmly and get him home to bed.

With the dust and bad air he's been breathing there's serious danger of

pneumonia. I'll come down with you and give him a sedative. I won't

need one, Doc, Sean grinned at him.

I think I know what's best for you, Mr Courtne. Doctor Symmonds was a

young man. He was the fashionable doctor among the rich of Johannesburg

and he took it very seriously. Now if you please, we'll get you to your

hotel. He started to pack, his instruments back into his valise.

You're the doctor, Sean agreed, but before we go will you have a look at

MY servant's hands, they'-re in a hell of a mess. There's hardly any

meat left on them. Doctor Symmonds did not look up from what he was

doing. I have no Kaffir practice, Mr Courtney, I'm sure you'll find some

other doctor to attend to him when we get back to town Sean sat up

slowly, he let the blankets slip off his shoulders. He walked across to

Doctor Symmond held him by the throat against the wall. The doctor had

a fine pair of waxed moustaches and Sean took one of them between the

thumb and forefinger of his free handhe plucked it out like feathers

from the carcass of a dead fowl and Doctor Symmonds, squealed. Starting

now, Doctor, you have a Kaffir practice, Sean told him. He pulled the

handkerchief out of Symmondstop pocket and dabbed at the little drops of

blood on the doctor's bare upper lip. Be a good fellow, see to my

servant.

When Sean woke the next morning the hands of the grandfather clock

across the bedroom pointed at the top of their dial. Candy was in the

room opening the curtains and with her were two waiters, each with a

loaded tray. Good morning, how is our hero this morning? The waiters

put down their trays and went out as she came across to Sean's bed.

Sean blinked the sleep out of his eyes. My throat feels as though I've

just finished a meal of broken glassThat's the dust, Candy told him and

laid her hands on his forehead. Sean's hand sneaked round behind her

and she squeaked as he pinched her. Standing well away from the bed she

rubbed her bottom and made a face at him. There's nothing wrong with

you! Good, then I'll get up. Sean started to pull back the bedclothes.

Not until the doctor's had a look at you, you won, tCandy, if that

bastard puts one foot in this room I'll punch him so hard in the mouth

his teeth will march out of his backside like soldiers.

Candy turned to the breakfast trays to cover her smile.

That's no way to talk in front of a lady. But don't worry, it isn't

Symmonds. Where's Duff? Sean asked. He's having a bath, then he's

coming to eat breakfast with you. I'll wait for him, but give me a cup

of coffee in the meantime, there's a sweetheart. She brought the coffee

to him. Your savage has been camping on my trail all morning, he wants

to see you.