Durgo reflected. "I think," he said gravely, "that Edwin Lister killed Captain Huxham and ran away. Soon he will write to me and I can join him. Then we can return to Nigeria and hunt for the treasure." "But why should Mr. Lister kill my father?" asked Bella. "He wanted money," said Durgo simply. "If Captain Huxham would not give the money, Edwin Lister would kill him. It is quite simple. But I wish," added the negro wisely, "that my master had let me kill Captain Huxham." "Would you have done so?" cried Bella, horrified. Durgo looked up in surprise. "Oh, yes, if Edwin Lister had wished it." Cyril and the girl looked at one another. Durgo was still a savage, in spite of the veneer of education and civilisation, which the missionaries had given him. He would have killed Huxham as easily as he would have killed a fly. Perhaps also Edwin Lister had become de-civilised, and had acted in the same way. "But what has become of my father?" asked Cyril. "You do not know?" inquired Durgo politely. Cyril shook his head. "I do not know," he said gloomily, "unless, as you say, he murdered Huxham to get money, and then ran away into hiding. He may be on the Continent--in Paris." "In that case, I shall hear from him soon," said Durgo, rising. "When I do, I shall let you know." "Come back," said Cyril, in an even tone, as Durgo was about to stalk away, "it is necessary for me to have your assistance." "In what?" asked Durgo, looking over his huge shoulder. "In finding my father." "But if he is in Paris, I can go there." "Have you the money?" "I have plenty of money," said the negro with gravity. "I have my own money, so it is easy for me to search for my master." "He may not be in Paris," said Cyril hastily; "that is only a guess on my part. Before searching for him over there, it will be best for you to assist me in looking for him in this district. He may be in hiding." Durgo pondered, then returned to lie full-length on the grass. "I think that my master would have run further away after killing Captain Huxham," he said reflectively; "he is very cunning, is Edwin Lister. And, of course, he would have the money." "What money?" asked Bella impatiently. "The money for which he killed Captain Huxham." "The sum stolen was only worth a trifle: one hundred pounds is the amount." "Oh!" Durgo opened his eyes. "And my master wanted five thousand. It is a very difficult expedition right into the centre of Nigeria, and one hundred pounds is of no use. I could have lent that amount to Edwin Lister myself. Hai!"--he nursed his chin in his hand--"what you say, missy, makes me think that my master is waiting here to get the money for which he killed Captain Huxham." "My aunt, Mrs. Rosamund Vand, has both the money and the estate." "Then Edwin Lister will wait and see her," said Durgo gravely. "I must learn where he is hiding," and he half rose again.