They were diamond mines, and there were chests full of uncut stones, some as large as pigeon's eggs, and boxes full of ancient gold pieces, and elephant tusks - four or five hundred of these and all of the first quality. Yet it was not for them that the three Englishmen made the perilous expedition over more than a thousand miles to the north of Durban. They went in search of a man. For his sake they faced the heat and flies, the long trek across waterless desert, the icy cold of the mountains. They saw death in many forms. Ridiculous things saved them - a man's white legs, his false teeth, an eyeglass - and a half-shaved face!

Every detail, every encounter convinces, having the absolute ring of truth. The story grips from first to last, as it has gripped generations of readers ever since it was first published. It is a classic of adventure which has rarely been equalled, and hardly ever surpassed.

Paul Hogarth has brought the scene and action wonderfully alive with his beautiful illustrations.