CHAPTER XXVIII
Gauntunderstood that Sir Keith was not bluffing in what he had said, and this knowledge made a complete change in his plans. After dinner he summoned Edward Drake and his brother to the library, and proceeded to inform them of what had taken place, but did not mention the Marillier affair. Lady Mildred came in soon after he had begun to speak and she drew back when she saw them so deeply engaged.
“Drake, I wondered if we might take Lady Mildred into our confidence?” Gaunt asked abruptly.
Edward Drake did not answer at once, for he saw danger ahead. As a matter of fact Gaunt had spoken upon the impulse of the moment—a rare occurrence—and now it was difficult to draw back. Indeed, Lady Mildred did not give him an opportunity for she drew a chair close to her husband.
“Although I am a woman I can keep a secret,” she said reproachfully to Edward Drake, and he flushed a little but made no reply.
“To understand, Mildred, you must first realize that Mr. Drake and myself have vowed,” he flushed as he spoke the word, “have vowed to help the natives of the Congo whatever may be the cost to ourselves.”
“Mr. Gaunt may also count me as having made the same vow,” Lindsay Drake broke in eagerly.
“From my interview with the foreign secretary, I am convinced that there can be no help from the British government, however great the agitation may become. That being so we must fall back upon the plan we mentioned some time ago, and there must be no time lost in putting it into execution,” Gaunt said slowly and expressively.
“You mean the ‘cruiser’ scheme,” Lindsay Drake cried, and his eyes were alight with excitement.
“Yes, and I have ascertained that at the present moment there is a small cruiser undergoing her trials. She was built on the Tyne for the San Salvador Republic and is the very ship for us, especially as the San Salvador finances are in a bad state, and they are hard pushed to find money. Our first step is to begin negotiations with the San Salvador representatives, and I think that they will jump at the idea, so that we ought to be able to hire the cruiser at a reasonable price. It is important that my name shall not appear in the negotiations for I anticipate that the Baron will be closely watching my every movement. My difficulty is to find a man to conduct this negotiation.”
“I will do it,” Lindsay Drake cried quickly.
“You hold a commission in the army. It may be dangerous work,” Gaunt answered.
“I am willing to run the risk.”
“I think I am the more suitable person in every way,” Edward Drake intervened.
“I agree with you,” Gaunt answered, “for I have other work for your brother. The engineers and artificers will be easily found, for we are willing to pay them well. But the other men will require careful selection.We shall want a number of men with military training, and can you find them? They must not be ‘wasters,’ and they must be able to hold their tongues. My present idea is that these men should concentrate at the Canary Islands where the cruiser could pick them up. Can I leave this part of the business in your hands?” Gaunt asked of Captain Drake.
“Yes, I think I can manage it. At the present moment I know dozens of men—gentlemen—who would be keen at the chance of going with us, just for the fun of the thing. I am one of them,” the latter answered.
“It is a mad idea,” Lady Mildred cried vehemently, “and a dangerous one. Should you go on the cruiser?” she asked with a look of anxiety at her husband.
“I could not very well let the others go and stay at home,” Gaunt answered with a smile. “At first, the scheme may seem a little mad, but if you look into it you will see that it is quite feasible. As soon as we leave the Canary Islands we shall be all right. The danger is that our plans may be discovered before we can get away. There is that wretched Foreign Enlistment Act.”
“I am sure I can get the right sort of men who won’t blab,” Lindsay Drake said confidently.
They proceeded to discuss their plans in detail, and it was decided that negotiations should be commenced the next day for the hiring of the cruiser. Lady Mildred did not interrupt them and upon realizing that their talk was likely to be a prolonged one, she rose, and bade them good-night.
Captain Drake was the next to depart for he expected Gaunt and his brother wished to be alone, and in this hewas right. But there was silence for some time after he had gone, until Gaunt began to tell of his interview with the foreign secretary which concerned the Marillier affair.
“And there can be no doubt that the Baron will carry out his threat,” he wound up.
“He is a dangerous enemy, and the terrible part is that we can do nothing. Do you think that the magistrate would be likely to send you to the Congo for trial?” Drake asked in a low voice.
“It is extremely unlikely, for I don’t see how they can get the evidence. Indeed, I am not certain that the Baron expects to succeed. He merely wishes to blacken my character and close my mouth. There is the Amanti deal and this coming on the top of it will be likely to make the public believe that I am not the kind of man who would be interested in the Congo, merely out of consideration for the welfare of the natives. And the public would have been right in thinking that a little time ago. In fact I myself find it difficult to know what is my real motive. A good deal to do with it is a natural love of a fight.”
“You are not just to yourself, for I am convinced that you are as desirous as I am to help the natives. Don’t think me impertinent if I say that I have noticed changes in your character. When we first met you were a hard man and devoid of human sympathy. You have allowed me to see something of the real Gaunt and I understand the reason of your change. But do you think you were wise to let your wife know of our plans?” Drake asked quietly.
“Why do you ask that question?” Gaunt cried impatiently.
“Remember her first remark. She wished to know if you yourself would go. Naturally she imagines that there would be danger in such an expedition and she loves you; need I say more?”
“My wife will not try to persuade me to stay at home,” Gaunt answered grimly.
“I am not so sure of that.”
“We won’t discuss it,” Gaunt broke in quickly. “Last night I did not sleep very well and in my mind I went over everything I had done since we first met. Tell me honestly, have I so far carried out my vow?”
“Yes. You have done as much as mortal man could do. I have been afraid, at times, that you had lost sight of that motive, and were acting from a wish to get the better of the Baron. May I tell you what is in my mind?” Drake asked hesitatingly.
“I prefer absolute frankness.”
“I have been afraid that now you have won your wife’s love you would weaken in your purpose. You have obtained all that you desired, and I thought that the temptation to enjoy your happiness would be too great.”
“I have been tempted, Drake, but I am not that sort of man. I made a bargain and will carry it out faithfully.”
“And if Lady Mildred tries to persuade you to give it up?” Drake persisted.
“I said before that she will not do so. If she does, it will make no difference.”
“But already you have given in, for you had determined that you would not try to win your wife until you could go to her with clean hands.”
Gaunt’s face flushed at the rebuke, for he could notdeny its justice, and it was impossible to explain that he had made no effort to win Lady Mildred, so he remained silent.
“I have a presentiment that misfortune is near at hand. Gaunt, won’t you go to your wife and tell her of that other thing? It seems to me that you have gained her love under false pretenses,” Drake continued in a low voice.
Gaunt rose from his chair and uttered an exclamation of anger.
“Drake, you are going too far,” he cried vehemently, for the accusation had struck home.
“I only wish to save you from great trouble, and it is not an easy task to say these things for I recognize what a hard task I am setting you. Remember your vow—you promised that your future life should be lived in accordance with the teaching of Christ. It was an almost superhuman task that you set yourself, for you lacked belief in the love of Christ and the Christian spirit which alone could give you the strength to carry out your determination. Don’t think I want to preach to you, Gaunt, but I fear that you will fail, unless you force yourself to regard everything from a different point of view. You told me that you believe that God had given you your wife’s life in answer to your prayer. Do you still believe that?” Drake asked gently.
“Yes.”
There was a strained look in Gaunt’s eyes as he whispered the single word.
“Then you must believe in the efficacy of prayer. Ask God to give you the strength to make a complete confession to Lady Mildred.”
“I cannot do it,” Gaunt answered miserably.
Drake sighed wearily and rising stood face to face with the man, whom he longed so intensely to help.
“God did not fail you when you prayed in desperation. Go to Him again.”
The words were spoken with deep earnestness and Gaunt was moved, but there was ever before him the fear of the distress that would come into his wife’s eyes, when she should hear his miserable story.
“Shall I tell her for you?” Drake insisted quietly.
“No, no!” was the vehement answer. “I am not such an abject coward.”
Gaunt turned away with a groan and began to pace restlessly to and fro, while Drake’s eyes followed him, filled with eager expectation. It was some time before either of them spoke but at last Gaunt stopped suddenly.
“I will not make you a promise which I may not be able to fulfil, but I will think it over,” he said with a roughness that was intended to hide his weakness.
After a tight grip of the hands the men parted, and Gaunt went straight to his wife’s room, for he felt sure that she had not gone to bed.
In fact Lady Mildred had been anxiously awaiting him for she wished to talk over with him the scheme which had been unfolded in her presence, but at the sight of his white face she quickly determined to postpone the discussion. Gaunt was surprised at her silence upon the subject, but their love was a new and very precious thing, and as they sat before the fire his indecision vanished.
They were both supremely happy, and their eyes would meet, brimming over with the love that they found sostrangely sweet. And Gaunt knew that he would never have the courage to jeopardize all that made life worth the living.
Her upbringing was such a one as would cause her to regard with horror the shedding of blood, and she would not be able to understand how it had happened. Then, too, there were such sordid surroundings, which it would be impossible for him to explain.
When she left him he sat there for a while, and his thoughts were not pleasant, for it was impossible to conceal from himself that he was not honestly carrying out his vow. Drake’s words had disturbed him, and he found it difficult to quiet his awakened conscience.
At last he went to his dressing-room and threw off his coat, but his actions were very slow, and now and then he would stop and stand still with a frown on his face.
When he had finished undressing a sudden impulse seized him, and he sank on to his knees beside the bed. Words would not come and still he did not move. His eyes were closed, and his quick breathing could be heard.
The door opened quietly, and Lady Mildred stood in the doorway, a look of surprise springing to her face. But she uttered no word, and left as silently as she had entered, and Gaunt wrestled with himself.