Souza said.

Trent knocked the ashes from his pipe and stood up.

"Here, don't waste any more of my time," he said. "Stand out of
the way, I'm off."

Da Souza kept his hands upon the concession.

"My dear friend," he said, "you are so violent. You are so abrupt.
Now listen. I will give you five thousand for a quarter share. It
is half my fortune."

"Give me the concession," Trent said. "I'm off."

"For a fifth," Da Souza cried.

Trent moved to the door without speech. Da Souza groaned.

"You will ruin me," he said, "I know it. Come then, five thousand
for a sixth share. It is throwing money away."

"If you think so, you'd better not part," Trent said, still
lingering in the doorway. "Just as you say. I don't care."

For a full minuteDa Souza hesitated. He had an immense belief in
the richness of the country set out in the concession; he knew
probably more about it than Trent himself. But five thousand pounds
was a great deal of money and there was always the chance that the
Government might not back the concession holders in case of trouble.