15/02/2026 19:15

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g sword was stillopen, it was no longer under active investigation and nobody knew itswhereabouts or to whom it belonged. The charcoal of the camp-fire was scatteredwidely; the freshest signs were days, no, weeks old. Whoever is responsible would get rid of the evidence as soonas possible. The dinner was a resounding success.

Then one morning the coloured postman wheeled his bicycle up the dustyroad, burdened by an enormous package wrapped in brown paper andblazoned with stamps and stickers and red sealing-wax. Lothar flashed him the underhand cut-out signal for caution and dangerand Swart Hendrick laughed soundlessly and waved an acknowledgement. The distant operator acknowledged and thencontinued: Pettifogger for Juno. nees, or withenormous effort heaving themselves to their feet only to stand swayingwith legs braced apart and then collapse again.