“I suppose you’ve been to Kimberley?”

I had been to Kimberley too, but I didn’t manage to say so in time. Race was being inundated with questions. What were mines like? Was it true that the natives were kept shut up in compounds? And so on.

Race answered their questions and showed a good knowledge of his subject. He described the methods of housing the natives, the searches instituted, and the various precautions that De Beers took.

“Then it’s practically impossible to steal any diamonds?” asked Mrs. Blair with as keen an air of disappointment as though she had been journeying there for the express purpose.

“Nothing’s impossible, Mrs. Blair. Thefts do occur⁠—like the case I told you of where the Kafir hid the stone in his wound.”

“Yes, but on a large scale?”