The very thought of it worked like madness in his brains.

When he spoke he strove hard to steady his voice, and even to himself it sounded like the voice of one speaking a long way off.
"Supposing that this were true," he said, "what is he doing all this time?
Why does he not come and claim his share ?" Da Souza hesitated.

He would have liked to have invented another reason, but it was not safe.

The truth was best.
"He is half-witted and has lost his memory.

He is working now at one of the Basle mission-places near Attra." "And why have you not told me this before ?" Da Souza shrugged his shoulders.