“Estates, nothing. He’s left five hundred men in camp behind him. Besides, he left on the Popo road. That’s not his way home.”
“Oh, gosh, Mr. Seal, I ‘ope there ain’t going to be no bust up.”
Only three people in Debra-Dowa knew the reason for the Earl’s departure. They were M. Ballon, General Connolly, and the Nestorian Patriarch. They had dined together on Saturday night at the French Legation, and after dinner, when
“It happened in the time of Gorgias, my predecessor, of evil memory,” said his Beatitude, “and the intelligence was delivered to me on my assumption of office, under a seal so holy that only extreme personal vexation induces me to break it. It concerns poor little Achon. I say ‘poor little’ although he must now, if he survives at all, be a man at least ninety years of age, greatly my own senior. He as you know was the son of the Great Amurath and it is popularly supposed that a lioness devoured him while hunting with his sister’s husband, Seyid, in the Ngumo mountains. My Lords, nothing of the kind happened. By order of his sister and the Patriarch Gorgias the wretched boy was taken while under the influence of liquor to the monastery of St. Mark the Evangelist and incarcerated there.”
“But this is a matter of vital importance.’
‘ cried M. Ballon. “Is the man still alive?”
“Who can say? To tell you the truth I have not visited the Monastery of St. Mark the Evangelist. The Abbot is inclined to the lamentable heresy that the souls in hell marry and beget hobgoblins. He is pertinacious in error. I sent the Bishop of Popo there to reason with him and they drove the good man out with stones.”
“Would they accept an order of release over your signature?”
“It is painful to me to admit it, but I am afraid they would not. It will be a question of hard cash or nothing.”
“The Abbot may name his own price. I must have Achon here in the capital. Then we shall be ready to strike.”
The bottle circulated and before they left for the drawing-room M. Ballon reminded them of the gravity of the occasion. “Gentlemen. This is an important evening in the history of East Africa. The future of the country and perhaps our own lives depend on the maintenance of absolute secrecy in regard to the Earl of Ngumo’s expedition on Mon-day. All inside this room are sworn to inviolable silence.”
As soon as his guests were gone he assembled his subordinates and explained the latest developments; before dawn the news was in Paris. On the way home in the car Connolly told Black Bitch about it. “But it’s supposed to be secret for a little, so keep your silly mouth shut, see.”
March 14th (continued).
As Keatings obviously deteriorated went to store attached hotel to buy some more. Met native Duchess who spoke English. V. helpful re bugs. Went with her to her home where she gave me insecticide of her own preparation. Gave me tea and biscuits. V. interesting conversation. She told me that it has just been discovered that Emperor is not real heir to the throne. Elderly uncle in prison. They have gone to get him out. Most romantic, but hope new Emperor equally enlightened re animals.
March 15th.
Better night. Native Duchess’ insecticide v. helpful though nasty smell. Received invitation dine Palace to-night. Short notice but thought it best accept for us both. Sarah says nothing to wear unless trunk turns up.
It was the first time since Seth’s accession that European visitors had been entertained at the Palace. The Ministry of Modernisation was called in early that morning to supervise the invitations and the menu.
“It shall be an entirely Azanian party. I want the English ladies to see how refined we are. I was doubtful about asking Viscount Boaz. What do you think? Will he be sober?… and there is the question of food. I have been reading that now it is called Vitamins. I am having the menu printed like this. It is a good, modern, European dinner, eh?”
Basil looked at the card. A month ago he might have suggested emendations. To-day he was tired.
“That’s fine, Seth; go ahead like that.”
“You see,” said the Emperor proudly, “already we Azanians can do much for ourselves. Soon we shall not need a Minister of Modernisation. No, I do not mean that, Basil. Always you are my friend and advisor.”
So the menu for Seth’s first dinner party went to the Courier office to be printed and came back a packet of handsome gilt edged cards, laced with silk ribbons in the Azanian colours and embossed with a gold crown.
March 15th.
IMPERIAL BANQUET FOR WELCOMING THE ENGLISH
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
Menu of Foods.
Vitamin A
Tin Sardines
Vitamin B
Roasted Beef
Vitamin C
Small Roasted Suckling Porks
Vitamin D
Hot Sheep and Onions
Vitamin E
