Of the Belgian Parliament the Baron had no fear; there was no party that desired to see reform in the Congo save a few members who really understood the conditions of affairs in the Free State.
For years King Leopold had understood that the only possible means by which he could be stopped from garnering his tainted gold was by the awakening of England and the United States to the truth. He had recognized that these free people were sound at heart, loathing all persecution, and that should they once realize the brutal truth, their righteous indignation would insist upon the immediate freeing of the natives from a diabolical tyranny.
And now the danger of a great awakening loomed ahead.
The mask fell from the Baron’s face, as these thoughts passed through his mind, and there was a malignant look in his eyes.
“I will break the man,” he muttered vindictively.
Gone was the suave man of the world and the brutal savage was revealed. But at the sound of a knock at the door, his face changed and a smile was forced to his lips.
“Oh, it’s you, Sherren. What news have you?” he asked pleasantly.
“I met Davis at Paddington, and I’ve got his address.”
“Good. Here’s a little document that you might like to read,” the Baron remarked and handed over the letter given to him by Weiss.
Sherren looked at him admiringly, when he had mastered its contents.