Sir Stephen paced up and done, his hands clenched behind him; his fine
leonine head bent; then he stopped in front of the chair, and frowned
down into the scowling face.
"Falconer, you wrong me--it was not so bad, so black as it looked. It's
true I sold the claim; but I swear that I intended saving half for you.
But news was brought in that you were dead--a man said that he had seen
you fall, that you were dead and buried. I had to leave the camp the
night the money was paid: it would not have been safe to remain: you
know what the place was, and that the man who was known to have money
carried his life in his hand. I left the camp and tramped south. Before
a month had passed, the money had gone; if I had had any doubts of your
death, it was too late to enquire; it would have been useless; as I
tell you, the money was gone. But I hadn't any doubts; in simple truth,
I thought you were dead."
Falconer looked round the luxurious room.
"You lost the money? But you appear to have picked it up again; you
seem to be pretty flourishing, my friend; when you got on your feet
again and made your pile, why didn't you find out whether your old pal
was alive or dead?"
Sir Stephen was silent for a space, then he raised his head and met the
other's accusing gaze unflinchingly.
"I'll tell you--I'll tell you the whole truth, Falconer; and if you can
make excuse for me, if you can put yourself in my place--"
He drew his hand across his brow as if the sweat had broken out upon
it. "The luck was dead against me for a time, the old luck that had
haunted you and me; then it swung round completely--as it generally
does when it changes at all. I was out in Africa, on the tramp, picking
up a day's work now and again at the farms--you know the life! One day
I saw a Kaffir boy playing with some rough stones--"
Falconer nodded.
"Diamonds. I fancy I've read an account of the great Sir Stephen Orme's
first beginnings," he put in with a touch of sarcasm.
Sir Stephen reddened.
"I daresay. It was the start, the commencement of the luck. From the
evening I took those stones in my hands--great Heaven! I can see the
place now, the sunset on the hill; the dirty brat playing in the
dust!--the luck has stood by me. Everything I touched turned out right.
I left the diamond business and went in for land: wherever I bought
land towns sprang up and the land increased in value a thousandfold.
Then I stood in with the natives: you've heard of the treaty--"