"Yes, Mrs. Weldon," he continued; "he has got what he deserved; he shot Harris, and has been executed for the murder. And here you are alone! mark this! alone and in my power!"
What Negoro said was true; Tom, Bat, Actæon, and Austin had all been sent off that morning on their way to Ujiji.
Mrs. Weldon groaned bitterly.
Negoro went on.
"If I chose, I could still further avenge upon you the ill-treatment I got on board that ship; but it does not suit my purpose to kill you. You and that boy of yours, and that idiot of a fly-catcher, all have a certain value in the market. I mean to sell you."
"You dare not!" said Mrs. Weldon firmly; "you know you are making an idle threat; who do you suppose would purchase people of white blood?"
"I know a customer who will give me the price I mean to ask," replied Negoro with a brutal grin.
She bent down her head; only too well she knew that such things were possible in this horrid land.
"Tell me who he is!" she said; "tell the name of the man who ..."
"James Weldon," he answered slowly.