CHAPTER THREE.
RATHER SUSPICIOUS.
What followed was performed with the quick dexterity of a clever surgeon, the searcher bending down, grasping the great firm muscles of the Kaffir's right leg about mid-way between hip and knee, and pressing hard with his two thumbs, when to the surprise of West a small perpendicular slit opened and a good-sized diamond was forced out, to fall upon the ground and be received by the under-searcher, while the wound closed up again with all the elasticity of a cut made in a piece of indiarubber.
"Bravo!" cried West, and then he held his breath as he saw the clever manipulation performed upon the Kaffir's other leg, a second diamond being forced out of the man's elastic muscle, to be secured in turn.
"That will do," said the chief searcher, after a quick glance down the Kaffir's arms, the man scowling and looking depressed as he was marched away.
"Almost a pity you didn't back your opinion heavily, Mr Anson, eh ?" added the official.
"Well, I am deceived," said Anson, wrinkling up his forehead.

"Who'd ever have thought of that ?" "The Kaffirs, seemingly," said Ingleborough coolly?
and he smiled in Anson's disconsolate face.
"But it's wicked," cried Anson, "downright wicked for a man to cut himself like that for the sake of a bit of glittering glass.

I say, mustn't it hurt very much ?" "Can't say," said West merrily.

"Try!" "What, me ?" cried Anson, looking startled and involuntarily thrusting his hands down to touch the parts in question.

"Oh no! It's horrible what people will do for the sake of gain." "Quite sure you wouldn't like to try, Mr Anson ?" said the searcher.
"I'll do it for you if you like.