CHAPTER XIII
John Gauntwas 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 hiseyes 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.
TheDaily Cometwas 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 strangeindeed 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 theDaily Cometwhich 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? TheCometis 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, andtheirmethods 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 yourplans,” 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—principallyfor 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 brotherto 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.