“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 back 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.”