“I am not at all sure that the better class of Belgians won’t be glad to hear the news. I will communicate with the French and American ambassadors, and I hope that we can make the news public in the morning,” said Sir Keith.
And then he returned to the foreign office to receive the Belgian ambassador, to whom he listened very patiently.
“I understand from the Baron de Croiseuil that you have taken the government of the Congo Free State from our hands.”
“C’est un fait accompli, your Excellency, and won’t permit of discussion,” Sir Keith answered with an air of finality.
“This man Gaunt. Is he to be allowed to escape without punishment? He has been guilty of an act of rank piracy,” the ambassador cried hotly.
“Gaunt will be dealt with; but I cannot tell you what punishment he will receive.”
At last the Belgian departed, and before Sir Keith left his office he knew that the provisional agreement had been ratified by the other Powers concerned. That night a statement was sent to the press announcing the terms of the arrangement, and in the morning enthusiastic “leaders” appeared welcoming this solution of the Congo problem.
But there was one question that troubled every one—what was to happen to John Gaunt? And no one could give the answer. Sir Keith Hamilton smiled to himself as he perused a wireless message that had been sent to him from the Admiralty.
“I think Stretton is the man for the job,” he muttered reflectively.