“Yes, your Excellency, but I have had very much to occupy my time. Pray forgive the delay in paying my call,” the Baron answered politely.
“It is not difficult to guess what has occupied you. For one word—Gaunt?”
“Your guess is a shrewd one; and in this case I think our interests are identical. Do you not agree with me?”
“It depends where your interests lie?”
“It is evident—in stopping Gaunt from raising this clamor. It is not necessary for us to discuss the international situation, for you know it better than I do. It suffices to say that this agitation is against your interests and ours.”
“I do not know that it affects my government very greatly, but I can quite understand that you would object to this exposure. Why not remedy the state of affairs in the Congo, for sooner or later you will have to do so?” Sir Keith said significantly.
“We are doing our utmost to improve the status of the natives, but these things cannot be done in a moment,” the Baron expostulated.
“That is the official voice that speaks. Unofficially I tell you that the treatment of the natives is as bad as ever it was, and you know it. But it is useless discussing that; I will drop you a friendly hint. You are reaching the end of your tether.”
Sir Keith spoke very seriously, and his eyes did not leave the Baron’s face.
“Of course you are speaking unofficially,” the latter said quietly.