“Were you successful?” Sherren asked eagerly.
“Quite the reverse, and now I shall require you to carry out my little programme. As a matter of fact I have given him till twelve o’clock to-morrow to climb down, but I have little hope that he will do so. I want you to understand that this man must be crushed at once, for he is doing us incalculable harm. It requires but an entente between England and Germany to cause the Powers to intervene. In spite of all our efforts, reports continue to come from the Congo, and if this campaign is continued, the British people may take it into their stupid heads to run riot as they did in the case of the Armenian atrocities. It needs but another Gladstone to rouse them, and this man Gaunt is a born orator. In fact I must admit that I myself was rather moved by what he said to-night,” the Baron wound up cynically.
“I cannot rush the matter. It is a difficult business to use the newspapers for private interests, and the greatest tact is necessary. Fortunately for us, Gaunt’s financial reputation is none of the best, and I know one or two people who are anxious to get at him,” Sherren said reflectively.
“Particularly Julian Weiss,” the Baron said significantly.
“Yes, over their Amanti deal. But unfortunately Weiss is equally involved with Gaunt. In fact I think that he was the prime mover in the swindle. The man who forged the cable is on his way back to England, and arrives in a day or two. I will see him, and it may be possible to bring the matter up.”
“There is no necessity to do that. It will be sufficient to place me in a position to threaten Gaunt. I only want the evidence,” De Croiseuil said quickly.
“I will do my best to get it, but it may prove costly.”
“Carte blanche,” the Baron replied laconically.
“That will certainly make things easier. But I fear that you have a difficult task before you, for Gaunt is the very devil. I know, for I tried a little bout with him once upon a time and I came off second best,” Sherren remarked with a rueful smile.
“Yes, he is a strong man, but so am I.”