One
day I quarrelled with him - it was just at the time I met you - and
then, for the first time, I heard of your father's being alive. I
went out to Africa to bring him back and Da Souza followed me in
abject fear, for as my partner he lost half if your father's claim
was good. I found your father infirm and only half sane. I did
all I could for him whilst I worked in the interior, and meant to
bring him back to England with me when I came. unfortunately he
recovered a little and suddenly seized upon the idea of visiting
England. He left before me and fell into the hands of Da Souza,
who had the best possible reasons in the world for keeping him in
the background. I rescued him from them in time to save him from
death and brought him to my own house, sent for doctors and nurses,
and, when he was fit for you to see, I should have sent for you.
I did not, I'll admit, make any public declaration of his existence,
for the simple reason that it would have crippled our Company, and
there are the interests of the shareholders to be considered, but
I executed and signed a deed of partnership days ago which makes
him an equal sharer in every penny I possess. Now this is the
truth, Miss Wendermott, and if it is not a story I am particularly
proud of, I don't very well see what else I could have done.
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