WITH THESE STRIKING words the official Report of Douglas’ chief commissioner began. It would be tedious to quote the 488 folio pages in full. Douglas himself did not read it; the transcript made by Vesquit of Abdul Bey’s “inspiration,” with a few practical questions to the latter, told him all that he needed.
Audience over, he dismissed Arthwait and his companion with orders to hold themselves in readiness for a renewal of the campaign.
Douglas had many a moment of bitter contemplation; his hatred of Cyril Grey fed upon repulse; and it was evident that his assistants had met more than their match. He would have to act personally — yet he feared to expose himself in open battle. His plan hitherto had been to bribe or dupe some of the jackal journalists of London to attack him; but Grey ha
