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Updated: May 19, 2025
"The man came near getting us into serious difficulties. I suppose you have read the newspaper account?" "Yes. You have more complete information?" Greythorpe nodded. "The other was accurate, so far as it went. The fellow played a bold stroke, making the usual excuse; the necessity for putting an end to the depredations and barbarities of a native headman."
A day or two later Greythorpe arrived and in the early evening sat with his host in the library. Though dusk was closing in, a window near them stood open and a single shaded candle burned upon a neighbouring table. Presently Greythorpe opened some papers. "We have not settled the African appointment yet," he said.
They had been fast friends since their first meeting a number of years ago, when Challoner was giving evidence before a parliamentary commission. "So you have not heard from Blake after the day he came here," Greythorpe said. "Never directly," Challoner replied. "On the whole, it is better so, though I regret it now and then.
"He excused himself for not coming this evening because Greythorpe is staying with him for a day or two, but he made me promise to bring you over to-morrow." Mrs. Keith acquiesced heartily, for she was fond of the Colonel. The evening passed pleasantly at Hazlehurst, for Mrs. Foster made a charming hostess.
One of his friends had even gone farther and hinted that Bertram should never have been a soldier; but Challoner could not agree with that conclusion. His lips set sternly as he went out in search of Greythorpe. A good fire burned on the hearth in the library at Sandymere, although the mild air of an early spring morning floated in through the open window.
Greythorpe smiled, for he and his host took different sides in party politics, though they often agreed on points that concerned their country's foreign policy. "I think they're wise in their moderation, but I've had plain hints about the desirability of extending our influence in Africa, which is why we attach some importance to the appointment in question.
Can you not imagine his resenting it and being so determined not to be influenced that he became hypercritical?" Greythorpe thought this clever, since it was the best means of lessening the value of Challoner's opinion that she could use. "I gather that you put too severe a strain upon his friendship." "I'm afraid there's a breach between us now, but that is not the point." "No," said Greythorpe.
"No," he said with a resolute air, "I should prefer either of the others. On the whole, I believe I'd select the first on your list." "You seem to have thought it well over." "That's true. It's a rather grave matter," Challoner answered drily. "Well," said Greythorpe, "my idea is that Sedgwick should be left in charge a month or two longer.
Then she looked up with an eagerness which somewhat moved him. "Have I convinced you?" she asked. Greythorpe smiled. "That Sedgwick is a dashing and intrepid soldier? Yes. But there are other points to take into account, and the matter does not entirely rest with me. Still, I think if he serves us well, we may find some use for him."
"Never directly," Challoner replied. "On the whole, it is better so, though I regret it now and then. A weakness on my part, perhaps, but I was fond of Dick and expected much from him. However, it seems that Bertram and Margaret Keith met him in Montreal, and she is coming here to-morrow." "A very sad affair." Greythorpe mused.
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