“Order,” said Sir John. “These provocative expressions—”
“Very well. Let’s hear what the Rev. Cyril Mast would have done.”
“Naturally, I should have to think over that,” said Mast.
“If you’d learned to think a little earlier, you would not have brought Lechworthy to the Exiles’ Club. You made this trouble, you know.”
“True enough,” said Sir John. “I’ve told you so myself, Mast.”
“I don’t deny it. And I tell you once more that there is no possible act of reparation which I am not ready to make.”
“I can’t say anything about that,” said Pryce. “Not at any rate within the present limitations as to language at committee meetings. And I don’t think there’s much else to say. I’ve one more little thing to tell you, and I heard it as I was on my way here. A native, whom I was treating for pneumonia just about the time of Smith’s rejection as a member here, recovered. To-day he came running after my gee in a highly agitated condition. He had something to say to me. Briefly it came to this, that the white men on the island were to be killed as he put it, pretty dam quick. If necessary, Smith was to be killed too. This was all decided, and I understood that he was one of the conspirators who had decided it. But, as he was pleased to say I had saved his life and he wished to save mine, I was to clear out on the trading schooner, I believe. Personally, if there’s any conspiracy on foot, I think the conspirators are likely to get hurt. You were right about those piano-cases, Sweetling. Smith has got seventy-five men up at his house, and they all have rifles. I mention it in case you may think it of any importance. My own opinion was not altered by it. Lechworthy is not doing any detective or police-work. He’s not sending over a list of names or anything of that kind. But I make no doubt that he has said something of the nature of the Exiles’ Club. If we stay, we are lost. If we disperse, there’s still one more chance. With many of us the scent is cold and the hounds have given up. And the world’s wide. I propose, Mr President, that the question of winding up the club, or of any alternative scheme be considered at another meeting to-morrow. I have not much more time now. And you do not want to decide hurriedly.”
Sir John rather dejectedly agreed, and there was no dissentient voice.
“Then shall we meet again at this time to-morrow?” asked Mast. “That would suit me.”
“What do you think, doctor?” asked Sir John.