[_Abruptly._] Do you know anything about the death of that Turkana woman?
GEORGE.
No! How should I?
ALEC.
Come now, you must know something about it. Last Tuesday you came into camp and told me the Turkana were very excited.
GEORGE.
[_Unwillingly._] Oh, yes! I remember something about it. It had slipped my memory.
ALEC.
Well?
GEORGE.
I'm not very clear about it. The woman had been shot, hadn't she? One of our station boys had been playing the fool with her, and he seems to have shot her.
ALEC.
Have you made no inquiries as to who the man was?
GEORGE.
[_In a surly way._] I haven't had time. We've all been worked off our legs during these three days.
ALEC.
Do you suspect no one?
GEORGE.
I don't think so.
ALEC.
Think a moment.
GEORGE.
The only man who might have done it is that big scoundrel whom we got on the coast, the Swahili.
ALEC.
What makes you think that?
GEORGE.
He's been making an awful nuisance of himself, and I know he was running after her.
ALEC.
I understand she complained about him to you?
GEORGE.
Yes.
ALEC.
Do you think that would be enough evidence to punish him on?
GEORGE.
He's a thorough blackguard, and after all, if one does make a mistake, he's only a nigger.
ALEC.
You'll be surprised to hear that when the woman was found she wasn't dead.
[GEORGE _gives a movement of consternation_.
ALEC.
She didn't die for nearly an hour.
GEORGE.
[_After a short pause._] Was she able to say anything?
ALEC.
She accused you of having shot her.
GEORGE.
Me?
ALEC.
It appears that _you_ were playing the fool with her, and when she got angry you took out a revolver and fired point blank. Presumably that she should tell no tales.
GEORGE.
It's a stupid lie. You know what they are. It's just like them to tell an absurd lie like that. You wouldn't believe a parcel of niggers rather than me, would you? After all, my word's worth more than theirs.