Monty might be satisfied,if plenty of money were forthcoming,to abandon his partnership and release the situation from its otherwise endless complications.Trent smoked his cigar placidly and,taking off his cap bared his head to the sweeping sea-wind,which seemed laden with life and buoyancy.Suddenly as he swung round by the companion-way he found himself confronted by a newcomer who came staggering out from the gangway.There was a moment's recoil and a sharp exclamation.Trent stood quite still and a heavy frown darkened his face.
"Da Souza!"he exclaimed."How on earth came you on board?"Da Souza's face was yellower than ever and he wore an ulster buttoned up to his chin.Yet there was a flash of malice in his eyes as he answered -"I came by late tender at Southampton,"he said.
"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.I've heard of your four-in-hand,and your yacht,and your racers,and that beautiful house in Park Lane.I tell you that to part with half your fortune would ruin you,and the Bekwando Company could never be floated.""I don't anticipate parting with half,"Trent said coolly."Monty hasn't long to live -and he ought not to be hard to make terms with."Da Souza beat his hands upon the handles of his deck-chair.
"But why go near him at all?He thinks that you are dead.He has no idea that you are in England.Why should he know?Why do you risk ruin like this?""There are three reasons,"Trent answered."First,he may find his way to England and upset the applecart;secondly,I've only the shreds of a conscience,but I can't leave a man whom I'm robbing of a fortune in a state of semi-slavery,as I daresay he is,and the third reason is perhaps the strongest of all;but I'm not going to tell it you."Da Souza blinked his little eyes and looked up with a cunning smile.
"Your first reason,"he said,"is a poor sort of one.Do you suppose I don't have him looked after a bit?-no chance of his getting hack to England,I can tell you.As for the second,he's only half-witted,and if he was better off he wouldn't know it.""Even if I gave way to you in this,"Trent answered,"the third reason is strong enough."Da Souza's face was gloomy."I know it's no use trying to move you,"he said,"but you're on a silly,dangerous,wild goose-chase.""And what about yourself?"Trent asked."I imagine you have some other purpose in taking this voyage than just to argue with me.""I am going to see,"Da Souza said,"that you do as little mischief as possible."Trent walked the length of the deck and back."Da Souza,"he said,stopping in front of him,"you're a fool to take this voyage.You know me well enough to be perfectly assured that nothing you could say would ever influence me.There's more behind it.You've a game of your own to play over there.Now listen !If I catch you interfering with me in any way,we shall meet on more equal terms than when you laughed at my revolver at Walton Lodge!I never was over-scrupulous in those old days,Da Souza,you know that,and Ihave a fancy that when I find myself on African soil again I may find something of the old man in me yet.So look out,my friend,I've no mind to he trifled with,and,mark me -if harm comes to that old man,it will be your life for his,as I'm a living man.
You were afraid of me once,Da Souza.I haven't changed so much as you may think,and the Gold Coast isn't exactly the centre of civilisation.There !I've said my say.The less I see of you now till we land,the better I shall be pleased."He walked away and was challenged by the Doctor to a game of shuffleboard.Da Souza remained in his chair,his eyes blinking as though with the sun,and his hands gripping nervously the sides of his chair.
