按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
or Innsbruck if you chanced to see the principal leader… writer or the art
editor lunching as usual at their accustomed restaurants。 The DAILY
INTELLIGENCER was determined to give no loophole for cavil at the
genuineness of its pilgrimage； and it must be admitted that to a certain
extent the arrangements made for transmitting copy and carrying on the
usual features of the paper during the long outward journey worked
smoothly and well。 The series of articles which commenced at Baku
on 'What Cobdenism might do for the camel industry' ranks among the
best of the recent contributions to Free Trade literature； while the views
on foreign policy enunciated 'from a roof in Yarkand' showed at least as
much grasp of the international situation as those that had germinated
within half a mile of Downing Street。 Quite in keeping； too； with the
older and better traditions of British journalism was the manner of the
home…coming； no bombast； no personal advertisement； no flamboyant
interviews。 Even a complimentary luncheon at the Voyagers' Club was
courteously declined。 Indeed； it began to be felt that the self…
effacement of the returned pressmen was being carried to a pedantic
length。 Foreman compositors； advertisement clerks； and other
members of the non… editorial staff； who had； of course； taken no part in
94
… Page 95…
BEASTS AND SUPER…BEASTS
the great trek； found it as impossible to get into direct communication
with the editor and his satellites now that they had returned as when they
had been excusably inaccessible in Central Asia。 The sulky；
overworked office…boy； who was the one connecting link between the
editorial brain and the business departments of the paper； sardonically
explained the new aloofness as the 'Yarkand manner。' Most of the
reporters and sub…editors seemed to have been dismissed in autocratic
fashion since their return and new ones engaged by letter； to these the
editor and his immediate associates remained an unseen presence；
issuing its instructions solely through the medium of curt typewritten
notes。 Something mystic and Tibetan and forbidden had replaced the
human bustle and democratic simplicity of pre…migration days； and the
same experience was encountered by those who made social overtures
to the returned wanderers。 The most brilliant hostess of Twentieth
Century London flung the pearl of her hospitality into the unresponsive
trough of the editorial letter…box； it seemed as if nothing short of a
Royal command would drag the hermit…souled REVENANTS from their
self…imposed seclusion。 People began to talk unkindly of the effect of
high altitudes and Eastern atmosphere on minds and temperaments
unused to such luxuries。 The Yarkand manner was not popular。〃
〃And the contents of the paper；〃 said the nephew； 〃did they show the
influence of the new style？〃
〃Ah！〃 said Sir Lulworth； 〃that was the exciting thing。 In home
affairs； social questions； and the ordinary events of the day not much
change was noticeable。 A certain Oriental carelessness seemed to
have crept into the editorial department； and perhaps a note of lassitude
not unnatural in the work of men who had returned from what had been
a fairly arduous journey。 The aforetime standard of excellence was
scarcely maintained； but at any rate the general lines of policy and
outlook were not departed from。 It was in the realm of foreign affairs
that a startling change took place。 Blunt； forcible； outspoken articles
appeared； couched in language which nearly turned the autumn
manoeuvres of six important Powers into mobilisations。 Whatever else
the DAILY INTELLIGENCER had learned in the East； it had not
95
… Page 96…
BEASTS AND SUPER…BEASTS
acquired the art of diplomatic ambiguity。 The man in the street enjoyed
the articles and bought the paper as he had never bought it before； the
men in Downing Street took a different view。 The Foreign Secretary；
hitherto accounted a rather reticent man； became positively garrulous
in the course of perpetually disavowing the sentiments expressed in the
DAILY INTELLIGENCER'S leaders； and then one day the Government
came to the conclusion that something definite and drastic must be
done。 A deputation； consisting of the Prime Minister； the Foreign
Secretary； four leading financiers； and a well…known Nonconformist
divine； made its way to the offices of the paper。 At the door leading to
the editorial department the way was barred by a nervous but defiant
office…boy。
〃 'You can't see the editor nor any of the staff；' he announced。
〃 'We insist on seeing the editor or some responsible person；' said the
Prime Minister； and the deputation forced its way in。 The boy had
spoken truly； there was no one to be seen。 In the whole suite of rooms
there was no sign of human life。
〃 'Where is the editor？' 'Or the foreign editor？' 'Or the chief
leader…writer？ Or anybody？'
〃In answer to the shower of questions the boy unlocked a drawer and
produced a strange…looking envelope； which bore a Khokand postmark；
and a date of some seven or eight months back。 It contained a scrap of
paper on which was written the following message：
〃 'Entire party captured by brigand tribe on homeward journey。
Quarter of million demanded as ransom； but would probably take less。
Inform Government； relations； and friends。'
〃There followed the signatures of the principa