“What do you mean?” Edward Drake cried excitedly.
“I presume that you would consider us morally justified if, in endeavoring to turn the Belgians out of the Congo, bloodshed should ensue?” Gaunt asked quietly.
“Please explain yourself,” Edward Drake cried in wonder.
“Perhaps it is rather a mad idea, but it may be practicable. You are probably aware that the Belgians have no navy. That being so a single cruiser would give us command of the sea, so far as they are concerned. There are many war-ships nearing completion in the British dockyards for foreign countries—principally for the South American Republics. For a financial consideration one of these republics might be willing to lease me a cruiser for a few months. If we could safely get her away and proceeded to the mouth of the Congo, we should be masters of the situation. No rubber could leave the Free State, and all trade would be at a standstill. Of course, we couldn’t expect to conquer the country by force, for we shouldn’t have sufficient men, but I think England would be pretty certain to intervene if we gave her the lead.”
Edward Drake stared at Gaunt in utter amazement, for he was astounded at the audacity of the scheme.
“Yes. By Heaven! I will go back to the Congo myself,” Gaunt said with grim determination. “Now, Drake, you’re my conscience and what have you to say about the morality of the idea? You must remember that the mouth of the Congo is fortified and fighting might ensue.”
Edward Drake’s face was ablaze with excitement and his likeness to his brother was accentuated.
“I think that any means would be justified to put an end to this abominable traffic in human lives,” he said with great earnestness.
“Mr. Gaunt, I’m with you heart and soul,” the captain said gravely, but his eyes were sparkling with excitement.
“It is a big thing and will require careful consideration. Let us take a day or two to think it over, and then we can have a long talk. Captain Drake, I am glad that you are with us for I think that you can be of great assistance. Drake, will you introduce your brother to my wife and Lady Ethel? You will find them up-stairs. I am going into the City.”