“Not until we come to an understanding, mon ami; I am going to stay here until I convince you that you must be silent—for your own safety.”
Now the suavity had left the Baron’s voice and he spoke sharply as he took a collection of documents from his pocket.
“This is your dossier, which contains a record of all your actions while you were on the Congo. We often find such things useful in dealing with people who take up the same attitude as yourself. Permit me to remind you of a few incidents. You may find the memory painful, but you bring it on yourself. I wonder if you remember the case of the man Marillier. He was shot—wasn’t he, and by——? Ah! You have turned a little pale. We have a long memory—we who govern the Congo. Murder is a crime that may be punished after many years. Let me remind you of the whole history. You will forgive me if I speak at some length.”
The Baron had risen, and the two men faced one another.
“Or shall I remain silent? It only requires your promise,” the Baron continued very quietly and there was a smile on his face.
“I defy you!” Gaunt cried hoarsely.
And the Baron no longer smiled.
CHAPTER XVI
It would have been impossible to choose a more suitable emissary than the Baron de Croiseuil for the task of dealing with John Gaunt, for he was an astute diplomatist, and entirely devoid of scruples. During the last few years there had grown up in Belgium a group of men whose prosperity was solely due to the Congo. Many of them had spent varying periods of time in that country, and had returned without the sense of honor which they may once have possessed.
When Gaunt first went to West Africa, the Baron was a high official of the Free State, and he was mainly responsible for the carrying out of the late King’s decree that rubber must be got, and that the method of obtaining it need not be considered. It was a congenial task, for as he made money for his master, so did he line his own pockets, and the time came when he could return to Belgium a man of wealth, and covered with the honors that the King delighted to confer upon those who had succeeded in sending to him the millions which he needed for the pursuit of his life of vice.