"But your partner's share," the Jew asked. "What of that?"
"It belongs to me," Trent answered shortly. "We fixed it so before
we started. We neither of us took much stock in our relations. If
I had died, Monty would have taken the lot. It was a fair deal.
You'll find it there!"
The Jew nodded.
"And your partner?" he said. "You saw him die! There is no doubt
about that?"
Trent nodded.
"He is as dead," he said, "as Julius Caesar."
"If I offered you - " Da Souza began.
"If you offered me four thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine
pounds," Trent interrupted roughly, "I would tell you to go to glory."
Da Souza sighed. It was a hard man to deal with - this.
"Very well," he said, "if I give way, if I agree to your terms, you
will be willing to make over this sixth share to me, both on your
own account and on account of your late partner?"
"You're right, mate," Trent assented. "Plank down the brass, and
it's a deal."
"I will give you four thousand pounds for a quarter share," Da
Souza said.
Trent knocked the ashes from his pipe and stood up.
"Here, don't waste any more of my time," he said. "Stand out of
the way, I'm off."
Da Souza kept his hands upon the concession.
"My dear friend," he said, "you are so violent.
Pages:
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71