"It cost me a special from London and the agents told me I couldn't
do it, but here I am, you see!"
"And a poor-looking object you are," Trent said contemptuously.
"If you've life enough in you to talk, be so good as to tell me what
the devil you mean by following me like this!"
"I came," Da Souza answered, "in both our interests - chiefly in my
own!"
"I can believe that," Trent answered shortly, "now speak up. Tell
me what you want."
Da Souza groaned and sank down upon a vacant deck-chair.
"I will sit down," he said, "I am not well! The sea disagrees with
me horribly. Well, well, you want to know why I came here! I can
answer that question by another. What are you doing here? Why are
you going to Africa?"
"I am going," Trent said, "to see how much truth there was in that
story you told me. I am going to see old Monty if he is alive."
Da Souza groaned.
"It is cruel madness," he said, "and you are such an obstinate man!
Oh dear! oh dear!"
"I prefer," Trent said, "a crisis now, to ruin in the future.
Besides, I have the remnants of a conscience."
"You will ruin yourself, and you will ruin me," Da Souza moaned.
"How am I to have a quarter share if Monty is to come in for half,
and how are you to repay him all that you would owe on a partnership
account? You couldn't do it, Trent.
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