Cyril laid his hand on the bundle. "We haven't time to read all that now," he said gruffly. "Tell us shortly what you have discovered, Durgo?" The negro nodded, and addressed himself to the girl. "Your name is Isabella Faith," he stated, "and you are the daughter of Maxwell Faith, who was my father Kawal's firm friend." The lovers looked at one another. "But how did I come to pass as Captain Huxham's daughter?" she asked breathlessly. Durgo shrugged his shoulders. "So far as I can read the story, which Captain Huxham has set down in that bundle you hold, he was smitten with compunction for having murdered your father and so adopted you." Bella shuddered. "How terrible to have lived with such a wicked old man," she said. "I never liked Captain Huxham, but thinking him my father I tried my best to do my duty. No wonder he would not leave the property to me!" "I think he intended to leave you the jewels, though," said Durgo, thoughtfully. "He mentions in those papers that he intended to make a will leaving them to you, since his sister, Mrs. Vand, claimed Bleacres and his income. It's my opinion that Mrs. Vand learned how her brother had murdered Maxwell Faith, and so forced him to make that will." "Then the jewels really belong to you, Bella?" "Yes," said Durgo, rising and making a courteous bow. "And when we find Edwin Lister, my master, he shall restore the jewels." "But your expedition?" asked Bella in surprise. The negro looked at the lovers humorously. "I fear that there will be no expedition," he said seriously. "I cannot rob you of your fortune, Miss Faith. Marry our friend here and be happy." "But what will you do?" asked Cyril, touched by this self-abnegation. Durgo shrugged his shoulders again. "I shall search out Edwin Lister and return to Africa. In one way or another I daresay we can manage to get back to my tribe. Then I shall measure my strength and education against my cousin, who is wrongfully chief. For the rest, there is no more to be said. The papers you have, Miss Faith, will prove your birth and reveal all the doings of Huxham. There is no more for me to do, so I shall bid you both good-day and wish you all good luck." The lovers stared to one another and then at the retreating form of Durgo, who had so delicately left them together. It was Cyril who spoke first. "He is a good fellow, after all," he said. "That black skin covers a white heart. Oh! Bella, how strange it all is." "Take me home," said the girl faintly, and with white cheeks. "I can bear no more at present. Isabella Faith is my name now----" "Until you change it to that of Isabella Lister," said Cyril, kissing her. But she only wept the more, broken down by the unexpected revelation. CHAPTER XVII A CONFESSION