"I understood that you had left Las Palmas, and Jefferson was on the point of doing so. I could scarcely suppose there was any one else who cared enough about what happened to me to make it necessary."
Brown looked at him with a curious little smile which Austin found disconcerting. "There are Mrs. Hatherly and Muriel. I almost think Jacinta would have liked to know that you and Jefferson were under a misapprehension, too. Still, that is, perhaps, not very important, after all. I suppose Jefferson told you that he expects to get a good deal for the Cumbria and her cargo?"
"I was pleased to hear that my share might amount to £7,000."
Brown took off his glasses and held them in one hand, which, as Austin knew, was a trick of his when he had anything on his mind.
"I am going to take a liberty," he said. "Have you decided yet what you will do with it?"
"No. That was one of the points I meant to wait a little before grappling with."
"Well," said Brown, reflectively, "there is something I could suggest, but I would like to ask another question." He stopped a moment, and tapped the palm of one hand with his glasses. "Why did you go out to Africa?"
"Wouldn't the chance of winning £5,000, which was what Jefferson estimated my share would be, appear a sufficient reason?"
"No," said Brown drily. "Not to me. When he first made you the offer you wouldn't go."
"I went, however, when I heard that he was sick. It was then a very natural thing. That ought to satisfy you."