human
But what has become of my father?
gpt
You do not know?
human
I do not know, he said gloomily,
gpt
In that case, I shall hear from him soon, said Durgo, rising.
human
When I do, I shall let you know.
gpt
Come back, said Cyril, in an even tone, as Durgo was about to stalk away,
human
In what?
gpt
In finding my father.
human
But if he is in Paris, I can go there.
gpt
Have you the money?
human
I have plenty of money, said the negro with gravity.
gpt
I have my own money, so it is easy for me to search for my master.
human
He may not be in Paris, said Cyril hastily;
gpt
I think that my master would have run further away after killing Captain Huxham, he said reflectively;
human
What money?
gpt
The money for which he killed Captain Huxham.
human
The sum stolen was only worth a trifle: one hundred pounds is the amount.
gpt
Oh! Durgo opened his eyes.
human
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--
gpt
My aunt, Mrs. Rosamund Vand, has both the money and the estate.
human
Then Edwin Lister will wait and see her, said Durgo gravely.
gpt
I must learn where he is hiding,
human
Wait for one moment, he said quietly,
gpt
I would rather lose my life than see him dead.
human
Strange! I did not think that my father was a man to inspire such devotion.
gpt
He saved my life,
human
Humph! murmured Cyril under his breath.
gpt
I'll be bound if he did so, that he took back the full value of his heroic act.
human
Cyril, why do you speak in that tone of your father?
gpt
Because I know him better than Durgo, he retorted.
human
My father is a--but that is neither here nor there --he waved his hand impatiently.
gpt
Durgo, I am about to speak plainly. I see that you love my father, so I don't wish to hurt your feelings. All the same, I must tell you something about my father which you will not like.
human
Let me hear, said Durgo frowning,
gpt
And therefore should speak well of him, ended Cyril bitterly.
human
I wish I could, but I have suffered too much at my father's hands to have any love for him. However, I shall be as brief as possible.
gpt
And as kind,
human
And as kind as I can be, retorted the young man cynically;
gpt
He loves you,
human
Did he ever tell you that?
gpt
No. He never mentioned your existence.
human
Judge then how he loves me,
gpt
However, in spite of all, Edwin Lister is my father, so I shall speak as respectfully of him as I possibly can.
human
Cyril! Cyril! your own father!
gpt
Quite so, dear. He is my father. I can say no more, and no less. As to what I know relative to this mystery, you shall hear.