But Drake did not yet fully understand the character of John Gaunt.
CHAPTER XI
During the last two weeks Gaunt had been working hard in the City and had made arrangements for relinquishing his active life. Tempting propositions had been brought to him but they had been firmly refused, and the general impression was that he had made sufficient money to satisfy even his requirements and was about to retire.
There was no attempt to disguise from himself that the chief matter with which he must deal was the Congo, and he brought all his intellect to bear on the problem before him. But the difficulties seemed well-nigh insurmountable.
Now that he knew his position, it was characteristic that he would not discuss the matter with Drake until he could see daylight. The suggestion that he should speak at the meeting was distasteful in the extreme, but finally he decided that refusal was impossible.
When he faced the thousands of tense faces he was calm and collected.
“Have I your Grace’s permission to speak?” he asked of the Archbishop.
The latter rose and cleared his throat.
“My lords, ladies and gentlemen. Most of you know the name of John Gaunt, and I feel sure that you will be interested in one who must have unique knowledge of the subject we are discussing,” he said, and resumed his seat.
“I thank your Grace, and promise that I will detain you for but a few moments. I have listened attentively to all that you have said and I tell you that the condition of affairs in the Congo has not been exaggerated. I do not intend to shock you with horrors, but with my own eyes I have seen men, women and even children murdered in cold blood, maimed and tortured.”