ke of his unbidden guests. Da Souza's few remarks
he treated with silent contempt, and Mrs. Da Souza he answered only in
monosyllables. Julie, nervous and depressed, stole away before dessert,
and Mrs. Da Souza soon followed her, very massive, and frowning with
an air of offended dignity. Da Souza, who opened the door for them,
returned to his seat, moodily flicking the crumbs from his trousers with
his serviette.

"Hang it all, Trent," he remarked in an aggrieved tone, "you might be a
bit more amiable! Nice lively dinner for the women I must say."

"One isn't usually amiable to guests who stay when they're not asked,"
Trent answered gruffly. "However, if I hadn't much to say to your wife
and daughter, I have a word or two to say to you, so fill up your glass
and listen."

Da Souza obeyed, but without heartiness. He stretched himself out in his
chair and looked down thoughtfully at the large expanse of shirt-front,
in the centre of which flashed an enormous diamond.

"I've been into the City to-day as you know," Trent continued, "and I
found as I expected that you have been making efforts to dispose of your
share in the Bekwando Syndicate."

"I can assure you--"

"Oh rot!" Trent interrupted. "I know what I'm talking about. I won't
have you sell out. Do you hear? If you try it on I'll queer the
market for you at any risk. I won't marry your daughter, I won't be
blackmailed, and I won't be bullied. We're in this together, sink or
swim. If you pull me down you've got to come too. I'll admit that if
Monty were to present himself in London to-morrow and demand his full
pound of flesh we should be ruined, but he isn't going to do it. By
your own showing there is no immediate risk, and you've got to leave the
thing in my hands to do what I think best. If you play any hanky-panky
tricks--look here, Da Souza, I'll kill you, sure! Do you hear? I could
do it, and no one would be the wiser so far as I was concerned. You take
notice of what I say, Da Souza. You've made a fortune, and be satisfied.
That's all!"

"You won't marry Julie, then?" Da Souza said gloomily.

"No, I'm shot if I will!" Trent answered. "And look here, Da Souza,
I'm leaving here for town to-morrow--taken a furnished flat in Dover
Street--you can stay here if you want, but there'll only be a caretaker
in the place. That's all I've got to say. Make yourself at home with the
port and cigars. Last night, you know! You'll excuse me! I want a breath
of fresh