We are obliged to live there for eight
months in the twelve."
She knew it was coming. But, as chance would have it, it was easier
than she could have hoped. For some reason Lady Cantourne looked
straight in front of her when she asked the question.
"Then you have, no doubt, met a friend of mine--Mr. Meredith?
Indeed, two friends; for I understand that Guy Oscard is associated
with him in this wonderful discovery."
"Oh yes," replied Jocelyn, with a carefully modulated interest, "I
have met them both. Mr. Oscard lunched with us shortly before we
left Africa."
"Ah, that was when he disappeared so suddenly. We never got quite
to the base of that affair. He left at a moment's notice on receipt
of a telegram or something, only leaving a short and somewhat vague
note for my--for us. He wrote from Africa, I believe, but I never
heard the details. I imagine Jack Meredith was in some difficulty.
But it is a wonderful scheme this, is it not? They are certain to
make a fortune, I understand."
"So people say," replied Jocelyn. It was a choice to tell all--to
tell as much as she herself knew--or nothing. So she told nothing.
She could not say that she had been forced by a sudden breakdown of
her brother's health to leave Loango while Jack Meredith's fate was
still wrapped in doubt.
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