CHAPTER XXIII
WHAT UMSLOPOGAAS SAW
LIKE one who dreams I passed down the outer hall where stood the silent guards as statues might, and out through the archway. Here I paused for a moment, partly to calm my mind in the familiar surroundings of the night, and partly because I thought that I heard someone approaching me through the gloom, and in such a place where I might have many enemies, it was well to be prepared.
As it chanced, however, my imagined assailant was only Hans, who emerged from some place where he had been hiding; a very disturbed and frightened Hans.
Oh, Baas,
he said in a low and shaky whisper, I am glad to see you again, and standing on your feet, not being carried with them sticking straight in front of you as I expected.
Why?
I asked.
Oh, Baas, because of the things that happened in that place where the tall vrouw with her head tied up as though she had toothache, sits like a spider in a web.
Well, what happened, Hans?
I asked as we walked forward.
This, Baas. The Doctoress talked and talked at you and Umslopogaas, and as she talked, your faces began to look as though you had drunk half a flask too much of the best gin, such as I wish I had some of here to-night, at once wise and foolish, and full and empty, Baas. Then you both rolled over and lay there quite dead, and whilst I was wondering what I should do and how I should get out your bodies to bury them, the Doctoress came down off her platform and bent, first over you and next over Umslopogaas, whispering
