John Gaunt was deeply moved by the knowledge that his wife loved him,
and he felt that half the battle was over; but upon carefully thinking
over what she had said, his confidence vanished, for he realized that
she possessed a will as strong as his own, and that many a weary day
might pass before she would give herself to him.
At first he was inclined to accuse her of inconsistency for he had
never judged her to be a good woman in the ordinary sense of the word.
But she had spoken with such feeling that he could not doubt that she
was honest in her loathing of his past.
It is a curious trait in such men as Gaunt that they can love if
they do not respect the object of their affections, and he had never
been blind to his wife’s faults. Now he found it necessary to regard
her from a different point of view and he was not dissatisfied that
this should be so. So long as there had been no child, he had been
content that she should think of nothing save her present comfort and
enjoyment, but now he was glad that the mother of his son had shown
that she could rise above such considerations.
Soon there came the memory of her scathing words, and he began to pace
restlessly to and fro. Yes—her accusations were just, and slowly the
scales fell from his eyes and he saw his actions in their true light.
It is not a pleasant moment in a man’s life when he first understands
that his character is base, but to a few comes this revelation of self.
Gaunt was not given to analyzing his own character, but for a long
time he sat and thought over the many discreditable actions of which
he had been guilty. True, there were no mean and petty sins, for if
he had deliberately done wrong it had been with the idea of reaping a
substantial benefit.
It was strange that he should now be thinking of himself with something
akin to contempt, but soon the mood changed and he concentrated all
his brains upon devising some plan of winning his wife. For the moment
all memory of his vow had vanished, and it was solely with the idea
of pleasing Lady Mildred that he now sought a scheme to benefit the
natives of the Congo.
He idly took up one of the daily papers that were spread out on the
table and in great staring head-lines read of the meeting of the
previous evening. The comments were varied, and in many cases not too
favorable to himself, but he passed them by with a grim smile.
The _Daily Comet_ was particularly virulent: “The finishing touch
to an hysterical meeting was put by the notorious millionaire John
Gaunt. With calm effrontery he admitted that he was a participator
in the alleged outrages and with his tongue in his cheek promised to
give his wealth and apply his brains to the amelioration of the lot
of the natives of the Congo. Apparently his offer was received with
acclamation, and it is strange indeed that a meeting, which consisted
chiefly of divines of various creeds, should welcome into its fold a
man with Gaunt’s record. If rumor speaks truly, the Congo is not the
worst part of the millionaire’s past. With due respect for the law of
libel, we suggest that his hands are not too clean with respect to
some of his numerous company promotions. We have heard a story with
reference to a deal in Amanti shares, to which we may have occasion to
refer more particularly at a future date. In the meantime we intend
to follow closely John Gaunt’s footsteps in the path of unctuous
righteousness.”
The paper fluttered to the ground and Gaunt did not move for a few
moments, but there was a curious smile on his face. Ahead he could see
a fight, and he was ready for the fray.
There was a knock at the door, and he turned round to see Drake enter
followed by a tall man whose tanned skin spoke of long residence in a
tropical climate.
“This is my brother Lindsay,” Drake said by way of introduction.
“I am grateful for your invitation, sir,” Lindsay Drake said, “and
gladly accept it. It will enable me to see so much more of my brother.”
“I hope you will make yourself at home,” Gaunt answered, and then took
up the _Daily Comet_ which he handed to Edward Drake. “Have you read
this?” he asked quietly.
Gaunt went to a cabinet and brought out a box of cigars, which he
handed to the soldier.
“So you have just come back from the coast. You are looking remarkably
fit,” he remarked pleasantly.
“Yes. I got back this morning. My brother has been telling me that you
were in the Congo Free State for some time. A pretty wretched country,
I should think, but then, no part of West Africa is very comfortable,”
Captain Drake answered, with a frank smile.
The brothers were remarkably alike and were both eminently
clean-looking men whom one would trust and like instinctively.
“A dastardly article,” Edward Drake cried indignantly, and threw down
the paper. “What is the meaning of it? The _Comet_ is generally fair,
in spite of its Yankee methods.”
“It is easily explained, but I shall probably shock you, for we English
people pride ourselves upon the honesty of our press. And we are not
far wrong, although they have played the game of the Belgians for years
past. When King Leopold was alive he spent a portion of his revenue
from the Congo in subsidizing the press. In the United States he was
more successful than in this country, for here it is impossible to buy
the policy of a newspaper. That is in cash—a peerage is not considered
a bribe. So the King went to work in his usual diplomatic way. Although
the papers are incorruptible, their correspondents are more pliable.
Look back and you will remember how few cables have come from Belgium
relating to the Congo, and the reason is not far to seek. Many men have
come from the Congo with a sheaf of horrors with which they were about
to startle Europe—but the horrors have never been made public. The
King had a persuasive tongue, he was free with his money, and, _voilà
tout_.”
“It seems incredible,” Drake cried vehemently.
“But it is none the less true. Read Mark Twain’s famous ‘Soliloquy
of King Leopold.’ Never has such an indictment been penned, and the
ways of the Belgian press bureau are proved up to the hilt. Now that
the King is dead those upon whom his mantle has fallen are pursuing
the same course. Not many hours will pass before they will turn their
attention to me. Every possible means will be tried to silence me, by
bribes, and threats. I hope this doesn’t bore you?” Gaunt said suddenly
turning to Captain Drake.
“On the contrary I am deeply interested. I have had some experience of
the Belgian swine myself. Their methods are even worse than the Germans
in Southwest Africa, and _their_ methods are pretty ghastly,” the
latter said quietly.
“I wonder if you would mind taking my brother into your confidence. I
mean, with reference to our plans for the future,” Edward Drake added
hastily, when he saw a frown appear on Gaunt’s face.
“Not at all. His knowledge of West Africa may be useful,” Gaunt
answered readily.
For the moment he had imagined that Drake meant to tell the captain of
his vow and he had a great objection to any one having knowledge of it.
“I read your speech when I was coming up from Plymouth, and I may
say that I admire you for your pluck,” Captain Drake said with quiet
enthusiasm.
Gaunt flushed at the praise for he felt that he was little deserving of
it.
“I am prepared to enter heart and soul into your plans,” the captain
continued; “I have lived among the natives and have always found them
decent. I am not one who considers the nigger but little better than
the brute. True, their intelligence is not very great, but they can
be capable of great loyalty and have a keen sense of gratitude. There
isn’t a better fighting man in the world than the properly trained
Haussa. Will you not tell me something of your intentions?”
Gaunt rose from his chair and an expression of great gravity came into
his face.
“Since last night, many schemes have come into my mind, but so far none
of them have been quite feasible. I think it is a hopeless task to try
to change the present conditions in the Congo by peaceful methods,
although it is my intention to see the foreign secretary at an early
date. Should he fail me, as I fully anticipate, I have wondered if it
would not be possible for us to try force?”
“What do you mean?” Edward Drake cried excitedly.
“I presume that you would consider us morally justified if, in
endeavoring to turn the Belgians out of the Congo, bloodshed should
ensue?” Gaunt asked quietly.
“Please explain yourself,” Edward Drake cried in wonder.
“Perhaps it is rather a mad idea, but it may be practicable. You are
probably aware that the Belgians have no navy. That being so a single
cruiser would give us command of the sea, so far as they are concerned.
There are many war-ships nearing completion in the British dockyards
for foreign countries—principally for the South American Republics.
For a financial consideration one of these republics might be willing
to lease me a cruiser for a few months. If we could safely get her away
and proceeded to the mouth of the Congo, we should be masters of the
situation. No rubber could leave the Free State, and all trade would be
at a standstill. Of course, we couldn’t expect to conquer the country
by force, for we shouldn’t have sufficient men, but I think England
would be pretty certain to intervene if we gave her the lead.”
Edward Drake stared at Gaunt in utter amazement, for he was astounded
at the audacity of the scheme.
“Yes. By Heaven! I will go back to the Congo myself,” Gaunt said with
grim determination. “Now, Drake, you’re my conscience and what have you
to say about the morality of the idea? You must remember that the mouth
of the Congo is fortified and fighting might ensue.”
Edward Drake’s face was ablaze with excitement and his likeness to his
brother was accentuated.
“I think that any means would be justified to put an end to this
abominable traffic in human lives,” he said with great earnestness.
“Mr. Gaunt, I’m with you heart and soul,” the captain said gravely, but
his eyes were sparkling with excitement.
“It is a big thing and will require careful consideration. Let us
take a day or two to think it over, and then we can have a long talk.
Captain Drake, I am glad that you are with us for I think that you can
be of great assistance. Drake, will you introduce your brother to my
wife and Lady Ethel? You will find them up-stairs. I am going into the
City.”
The brothers stood and watched him leave the room.
“That’s a man,” Captain Drake said with quiet enthusiasm.