"However, I saved
your life and you may consider yourself therefore under some
obligation to me. I will tell you then what I would have you do.
In the first place, I know no more where he is than you do. He may
be in England or he may not. I shall go to Da Souza, who probably
knows. You can come with me if you like. I don't want to rob the
man of a penny. He shall have all he is entitled to - only I do
want to arrange terms with him quietly, and not have the thing
talked about. It's as much for the others' sake as my own. The
men who came into my Syndicate trusted me, and I don't want them
left."
Francis took a little silver case from his pocket, lit a cigarette,
and smoked for a moment or two thoughtfully.
"It is possible," he said at last, "that you are an honest man.
On the other hand you must admit that the balance of probability
from my point of view is on the other side. Let us travel backwards
a little way - to my first meeting with you. I witnessed the
granting of this concession to you by the King of Bekwando.
According to its wording you were virtually Monty's heir, and Monty
was lying drunk, in a climate where strong waters and death walk
hand-in-hand. You leave him in the bush, proclaim his death, and
take sole possession.
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