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"I see you, O Healer!" exclaimed the king with cordiality, before Dick could say a word. "Draw near and sit beside me. It is said that you have news of 'Nkuni for me. Have you seen him?" "Twice this day have I seen him," answered Dick; "once when I went forth from your presence this morning, and again but a short time since. I came hither directly from his hut."

It was about a week after the trial of the conspirators, and the execution of the sentences passed upon them, that King Lobelalatutu sent for them both, and tendered his hearty thanks for the important service which Dick had rendered him in unravelling the details of the plot and bringing the plotters to trial, as well as for saving the life of the chief, 'Nkuni, who, under the Healer's sedulous ministrations, was already up and about again.

"When I first visited the hut of 'Nkuni this morning, conducted thither by the chief Ingona, whom you thought to be 'Nkuni's friend," answered Dick, "I found that Sekosini, the chief witch doctor, had been administering to the sick man certain medicines with the alleged purpose of healing him of his sickness.

All this, however, only tended to strengthen certain suspicions which Dick had already formed; but he did not express them to Ingona; he blandly explained to that chief that, having been requested by the king to use his best endeavours to cure 'Nkuni, he wished to see Sekosini and consult with him, in order that he might learn as many particulars as possible respecting the ailment from which 'Nkuni was suffering.

"Is there an antidote to this particular poison?" "Oh yes!" answered the witch doctor cheerfully; "I never use a poison that has no antidote, because it is sometimes desirable to alter one's plans at the last moment." "Quite so," assented Dick; "and I am going to alter your plans with regard to 'Nkuni straight away. Where is your antidote, and how is it prepared?"

"I understand, and will obey," answered Sekosini. "Good!" returned Dick. "Now I command you to tell me the absolute truth. Know you anything relative to the sickness from which the chief 'Nkuni is suffering, or the sickness from which 'Mtatu and the other five chiefs died?" "Yes," answered Sekosini and the answer in nowise surprised Dick; "I know all.

He, however, allowed time for the effect to sink into and take good hold of the minds of the spectators, for he was shrewd enough to recognise that the possession of such an ally must materially strengthen his own position; and at length, when he believed that the incident had produced its full effect, he sprang a new surprise upon his audience by saying, in a loud voice: "Stand forth, O Sekosini! and tell us what you know concerning the sickness of the chief, 'Nkuni, and the deaths of those other six who have recently travelled along the Dark Path!"

When at length it had been ascertained that every chief except the sick 'Nkuni was present, the king turned to Dick and said: "Now, O Healer! by the power of your magic, cause Sekosini, the chief witch doctor, to come hither, I pray you."

"And now a seventh, 'Nkuni, lies sick in his hut with the same symptoms as the others. Three nights and two days has he thus lain." "And how long does the sickness usually last?" asked Dick, his professional instincts being at once aroused. "They usually die on the seventh day after the sickness declares itself," answered the king. "Good!" responded Dick.

"And has your skill enabled you to find out what is wrong with him?" demanded the king. "It has," answered Dick. "Your friend 'Nkuni was slowly dying from the effects of the same poison that slew the others. But I can save him, and he shall live, it may be to serve you better than some of those chiefs who, professing to be loyal to you, are secretly planning your overthrow and death."