Importance.

Max plucked desperately at Sean's arm.

What is it, Max? Duff asked. I have to speak to you alone, Max dropped

his voice again and glanced unhappily at the street door.

Well, speak then, Duff encouraged him. We're alone now. Not here. Can

you meet me later? Duff raised an eyebrow. What is this, Maximilian,

don't tell me you are selling dirty pictures. Mr Hradsky is waiting for

me at the hotel. I told him I was coming to find some papers, he'll get

suspicious if I don't go back immediately. Max was nearly in tears; his

Adam's apple played hide-and-seek behind his high collar, bobbing out

and disappearing again. Duff was suddenly very interested in what Max

had to say.

You don't want Norm in to know about this? he asked.

My goodness, no. Max came closer to tears. When do you want to meet

us? Tonight, after ten o'clock when Mr Hradsky has retired Where? asked

Duff. There's a side road round the east end of the Little Sister Mine

dump. it's not used any more. know it, said Duff. We'll ride along

there about half past ten. Thank you, Mr Charleywood, you won't regret

it max scampered for the door and disappeared.

Duff adjusted his beaver at the correct angle, then he prodded Sean in

the belly with the point of his cane. Smell it, suck it in Duff sniffed

appreciatively and Sean did the same.

I don't smell a thing, Sean declared. The air is thick with it, Duff

told him. The sweet smell of treachery. They left Xanadu just after

half past nine. Duff insisted on wearing a black opera cloak.

Atmosphere is vital, laddie, you can't go to a rendezvous like this

dressed in dirty khaki pants and veldschoen. it would ruin the whole

thing. Well, I'm damned if I'm going to get into fancy dress.

This is a very good suit. it will have to do. Can't I persuade you to

wear a pistol in Your belt?

asked Duff wistfully.

No, laughed Sean.

No? Duff shook his head. You're a barbarian, laddie.

No taste, that's your trouble. They avoided the main streets on their

way through Johannesburg and met the Cape road half a mile beyond the

town. There was only a minute slice of moon left in the dark bowl of

the sky. The stars, however, were big and by their light the white mine

dumps, each the size Of a large hill, stood out like pustules on the

earth's face.

Despite himself, Sean felt a little breathless with excitement, Duff Is

zest was always infectious. They cantered with their stirrups almost

touching, Duff's cloak billowing out behind him and the breeze of their

passage fanning the tip of Sean's cigar to a fierce red spark. Slow

down, Duff, the turning's just about here somewhere. It's overgrown,

well miss it.

They reined to a walk.

what's the timev asked Duff.

Sean drew on his cigar and held his watch close to the glow. A quarter

after ten. We're early. My bet is Maximilian will be there before us,

here's the road Duff turned his horse onto it and Sean followed him. The

Little Sister Mine dump rose up next to them, steep and white in the

starlight. They skirted it but its bulk threw a shadow over them.

Duff's horse snorted and shied and Sean gripped with his knees as his

own horse danced sideways. max had stepped out from a scraggy cluster

of bushes next to the road. Well met by moonlight, Maximilian, Duff

greeted him. Please bring your horses off the road, gentlemen. Max was

still showing signs of the afternoon's agitation. They tied their

horses next to Max's among the bushes and walked across to join him.

Well, Max, what's new? How are the folks? Duff asked. Before we go any

further in this matter, I want you gentlemen to give me your word of

honour that, whether anything comes of it or not, you will never say a

word to anybody of what I tell you tonight Max was very pale, Sean

thought, or perhaps it was just the starlight.