the French no reasonable grounds for objecting; but when we enter the
country in question we stay there."

"It's risky. If you get into difficulties or the French are clever
enough to spoil your game, you'll be disgraced."

"That's a hazard I recognize. If I fail, our authorities will disown
me, but it can't be allowed to count."

Mrs. Chudleigh admired his daring, which was what had first attracted
her. His shortcomings were not hidden, he now and then offended her
more cultivated taste, but he could boldly seize an opportunity and she
thought he would go a long way. There was force in him.

"But the excuse?" she asked.

"I can't tell you exactly what it will be, but there's an unruly tribe
between us and the territory we want, and they're inclined to give
trouble." He paused with a meaning smile. "It may be necessary to
subjugate them, and, if we enter their country, we'll no doubt find
ourselves compelled to move farther north. Something, however, must be
left to chance. When one is ready to act, an occasion often presents
itself."

"And the benefit to England?"

"Can't be doubted. We'll have pushed the frontier back and opened up
trade. It's a region that's rich in useful products, and as soon as it
is ours new factories will spring up wherever there's a suitable spot
along the rivers. I've already thought out a route for a light
railway."

Mrs. Chudleigh was satisfied. She believed in Colonial expansion, but
her views were honest in a sense. Where her country stood to gain, the
rights of small native races did not count, and she argued, with some
reason, that they were better off under civilized rule; but she would
have intrigued for no scheme that did not further British interests.

"I daresay," she answered thoughtfully, "something can be done."

"I'm content with that, and perhaps we have said enough. Those rubies
of yours are very fine, but they owe a good deal to their background.
How they gleam on the satiny whiteness they rest upon!"

This was a transgression, but it was one that she could pardon. The
man's taste was defective, but he had charm and she let him lead her
into intimate personal talk.

In the meanwhile, a group of men were engaged in conversation at the
opposite end of the hall. One was a sawmill owner; another served the
Hudson's Bay Company in the northern wilds; the third was a young,
keen-eyed American, quick in his movements and concise in speech.

"You're i