"He certainly did," assented Natty, "and I'm no slouch either. But Berry, in spite of his looks and rascality, is fascinating. I was quite taken in by him. But I see through him now. Well--the will?"
"As I said," went on Tamaroo, "Mr. Lancaster did not know how to make the money safe from Berry. Therefore, he made his will leaving the money to you, Mr. Frank, and afterwards to Denham's son."
"That's to me," said Natty. "I see now, this money is the fortune I was to inherit."
"Yes. My master did not know that Berry had such an influence over your father, nor did I, or a different will would have been made. But the money was to go to you, provided that Mr. Frank was hanged before he reached the age of twenty-five. If Mr. Frank died a natural death, or was murdered, the money was to go to a charity. Anchor was made the trustee of this will."
"But I don't see where the sense of the hanging comes in."
"Well, Mr. Jarman," said the negro, turning to Eustace, who had spoken, "it's this way. My master thought that unless he put in that clause, Berry might get rid of Mr. Frank by violence."
"But if he murdered him the money would have gone to the charity."
"Quite so," assented Tamaroo, quietly. "And even if Mr. Frank died a natural death that would have happened. Mr. Lancaster knew that Berry was mixed up with people of our race who knew something of poisons."
"Aha!" said Jarman, "Balkis!"
"Yes. Balkis, sir; though I don't know how you came to hear of her."