"Do you speak English?" he asked in that language.
She looked at him in surprise. "Yes," she replied; "but I didn't imagine that you did."
"Where did you learn it?" he asked.
"In London—before they drove me out."
"Why did they drive you out?"
"Because I was not like them. My mother kept me hidden for years, but at last they found me out. They would have killed me had I remained."
"And Malb'yat is like you?"
"No, Malb'yat is like the others. He cannot learn a single English word. I like you much better. I hope that you killed Malb'yat."
"I didn't, though," said the ape-man. "I see him moving on the ledge down there where he has been lying."
The girl looked; then she picked up a rock and flung it at the unfortunate Malb'yat. It missed him, and he crawled to shelter. "If he gets me back he'll beat me," she remarked.