"The way to treat these fellows," he said to the Elder Dempster captain, "is to show 'em you'll stand no nonsense. I thought he'd climb down." The Elder Dempster captain, who knew Sanders by repute, smiled discreetly, but said nothing. Once more the special correspondent's mountain of baggage was embarked in the surf boat, and the Hon. George waved a farewell to his friends on the steamer. The Elder Dempster skipper, leaning over the side of his bridge, watched the surf boat rising and falling in the swell. "There goes a man who's looking for trouble," he said, "and I wouldn't take a half-share of the trouble he's going to find for five hundred of the best. Is that blessed anchor up yet, Mr. Simmons? Half ahead--set her due west, Mr. What's-your-name." It was something of a triumph for the Hon. George. There were ten uniformed policemen awaiting him on the smooth beach to handle his baggage, and Sanders came down to his garden gate to meet him. "The fact of it is----" began Sanders awkwardly; but the magnanimous George raised his hand. "Let bygones," he said, "be bygones." Sanders was unaccountably annoyed by this generous display. Still more so was he when the correspondent refused to reopen the question of atrocities. "As your guest," said George solemnly, "I feel that it would be better for all concerned if I pursued an independent investigation. I shall endeavour as far as possible, to put myself in your place, to consider all extenuating circumstances----" "Oh, have a gin-swizzle!" said Sanders rudely and impatiently; "you make me tired." "Look here," he said later, "I will only ask you two questions. Where are these atrocities supposed to have taken place?" "In the district of Lukati," said the Hon. George. "Olari," thought Sanders. "Who was the victim?" he asked. "There were several," said the correspondent, and produced his note-book. "You understand that I'd really much rather not discuss the matter with you, but, since you insist," he read, "Efembi of Wastambo." "Oh!" said Sanders, and his eyebrows rose "Kabindo of Machembi." "Oh, lord!" said Sanders. The Hon. George read six other cases, and with every one a line was wiped from Sanders' forehead. When the recital was finished the Commissioner said slowly-- "I can make a statement to you which will save you a great deal of unnecessary trouble." "I would rather you didn't," said George, in his best judicial manner. "Very good," said Sanders; and went away whistling to order dinner. Over the meal he put it to the correspondent: "There are a number of people on this station who are friends of mine. I won't disguise the fact from you--there is O'Neill, in charge of the Houssas; the doctor, Kennedy, the chap in charge of the survey party; and half a dozen more. Would you like to question them?" "They are friends of yours?" "Yes, personal friends." "Then," said the Hon. George, gravely, "perhaps it would be better if I did not see them."