Again the two men eyed one another steadily.
“I won’t insult you by pressing you to change your mind.”
Sir Keith sighed once more, and now his face seemed to have aged.
“By the bye, I must warn you of one thing. We have not mentioned the Baron de Croiseuil, but you have probably realized that he is your bitterest enemy. I don’t think I shall be betraying a confidence, if I tell you that an application will be made at Bow Street at once. It concerns the death on the Congo of a man named Marillier, and proceedings will be taken for your extradition to that country on a charge of murder.”
Gaunt’s face was set, and his mouth was drawn into a grim line, but he did not falter.
“It was a kindness to tell me,” he said quietly.
Sir Keith Hamilton gave Gaunt a glance of admiration and then continued deprecatingly:
“It is evident that this summons for extradition is a move upon the part of the Baron de Croiseuil to discredit you, and I assure you that he will not have my support,” he said with quiet emphasis.
“It is very good of you to tell me this, sir, especially after the attitude I have taken up,” Gaunt answered earnestly.
“I don’t profess to understand your motive for stirring up this agitation, and I don’t ask for your confidence, but——”