soon became
evident that M. de Lesseps had no serious views on the subject, and
that he was only too much disposed to yield to external influences.

On the very threshold of his task, which he took up with his usual
thoroughness and honest desire to get at the truth, General Gordon
received a warning that the greatest difficulties were not those
inherent to the subject, but those arising from the selfish designs of
interested persons. As soon as it became known that General Gordon had
accepted this task, and that he had agreed to the Khedive's suggestion
that the Debt Commissioners were not to sit on the Commission, there
was a loud outburst of disapproval and dismay in diplomatic and
financial circles. This part of the story must be given in his own
words:--

"Mr Vivian, the English Consul-General, said to me, 'I wonder you
could accept the Presidency of the Commission of Inquiry without
the Commissioners of the Debt.' I said, 'I was free to accept or
refuse.'

"I then called on the German Consul-General, and when there the
French and Austrian Consuls-General, and also Vivian, came in,
and attacked me for having accepted the post of President. I said
'I was free.' And then they said, 'I was risking his Highness his
throne; that he ran a very serious risk personally, if he formed
the Commission of Inquiry without the creditors' representatives,
viz. the Commissioners of the Debt.' I said, 'Why do you not tell
him so?' They said, 'You ought to do so.' I said, 'Well, will you
commission me to do so, from you, with any remarks I like to make
as to the futility of your words?' They all said, 'Yes, we
authorise you to do so--in our names.'"

General Gordon went that evening to the Abdin Palace, where he was
engaged to dine with the Khedive; and having asked permission to make
an important communication, saw Ismail before dinner, when words to
this effect were exchanged:--

Gordon said: "I have seen the four Consuls-General to-day, and they
told me to tell your Highness from them that you run a serious
personal risk if you have a Commission of Inquiry without the
Commissioners of Debt being upon it."

The Khedive replied as follows: "I do not care a bit. I am only afraid
of England, and I feel sure she will not move. You will see Lesseps
to-morrow, and arrange the _enquete_ with him." Encouraged by the
Khedive's firmness, and fully convinced th