Edward Drake did not answer at once, for he saw danger ahead. As a matter of fact Gaunt had spoken upon the impulse of the moment—a rare occurrence—and now it was difficult to draw back. Indeed, Lady Mildred did not give him an opportunity for she drew a chair close to her husband.
“Although I am a woman I can keep a secret,” she said reproachfully to Edward Drake, and he flushed a little but made no reply.
“To understand, Mildred, you must first realize that Mr. Drake and myself have vowed,” he flushed as he spoke the word, “have vowed to help the natives of the Congo whatever may be the cost to ourselves.”
“Mr. Gaunt may also count me as having made the same vow,” Lindsay Drake broke in eagerly.
“From my interview with the foreign secretary, I am convinced that there can be no help from the British government, however great the agitation may become. That being so we must fall back upon the plan we mentioned some time ago, and there must be no time lost in putting it into execution,” Gaunt said slowly and expressively.
“You mean the ‘cruiser’ scheme,” Lindsay Drake cried, and his eyes were alight with excitement.
“Yes, and I have ascertained that at the present moment there is a small cruiser undergoing her trials. She was built on the Tyne for the San Salvador Republic and is the very ship for us, especially as the San Salvador finances are in a bad state, and they are hard pushed to find money. Our first step is to begin negotiations with the San Salvador representatives, and I think that they will jump at the idea, so that we ought to be able to hire the cruiser at a reasonable price. It is important that my name shall not appear in the negotiations for I anticipate that the Baron will be closely watching my every movement. My difficulty is to find a man to conduct this negotiation.”
“I will do it,” Lindsay Drake cried quickly.
“You hold a commission in the army. It may be dangerous work,” Gaunt answered.
“I am willing to run the risk.”