“Yes. But it might prove rather costly, but of course it would depend upon the nature of the service,” Sherren replied promptly.
“We will talk of it later on, for there is no immediate hurry. In the meantime you must keep up your attack on Gaunt. Don’t miss a single opportunity, for at all costs we must damage his reputation. It would seem that he is now working hand in hand with the secretary of the Congo Reform Association, and they are evidently planning out a campaign on a grand scale. I fear that this man Gaunt is rapidly capturing the sympathy of the public, and it is essential that we expose him so that anything he says will be discredited. I trust you to do your best, and your reward shall be commensurate with your success. Succeed in crushing Gaunt, and your future is assured,” the Baron said earnestly.
“I will do all I can, Baron, but I must own to a certain amount of admiration for Gaunt’s pluck. He must know that he is risking a good deal, and yet he does not seem to hesitate. There is no mistaking from this new mood that he means business, for those advertisements must have cost a tidy penny. Besides——”
“I shall expect you here at three o’clock with Weiss,” the Baron interrupted him sharply, for he was not in the humor to listen to platitudes.
Sherren accepted his dismissal meekly, for he was not the man to resent outwardly a direct insult, so long as he was to receive a financial reward that was sufficiently great, but to himself he cursed the Baron with vigor.
De Croiseuil lighted a cigarette with great care, and sat down to think out his next move, and finally decided to call upon Gaunt, although he knew that it was very probable that he would be refused admittance. Indeed, the footman did hesitate, but finally asked him to take a seat in the hall.
“It will be unfortunate if madame comes along,” the Baron thought as he waited.
It was some few minutes before the footman returned, and he became sure that his expectations would be realized, but to his great surprise he was asked to go to the library.
Gaunt was standing in the middle of the room facing the door, and his expression was cold and forbidding.
“If I had refused to see you, you might have imagined that I was afraid. I do not think that there is anything to be gained by this interview, and I shall be glad if you will state your errand in as few words as possible,” Gaunt said grimly.