' There was a
sliding movement, the door swung to, and the Vicar found himself
alone again.
It was clear that a disturbing influence had found its way into
Gordon's mind. His thoughts, wandering through Africa, flitted to
the Sudan; they did not linger at the Congo. During the same
visit, he took the opportunity of calling upon Dr. Temple, the
Bishop of Exeter, and asking him, merely as a hypothetical
question, whether, in his opinion, Sudanese converts to
Christianity might be permitted to keep three wives. His Lordship
answered that this would be uncanonical.
A few days later, it appeared that the conversation in the
carriage at Heavitree had borne fruit. Gordon wrote a letter to
Sir Samuel Baker, further elaborating the opinions on the Sudan
which he had already expressed in his interview with Mr. Stead;
the letter was clearly intended for publication, and published it
was in "The Times" of January 14th. On the same day, Gordon's
name
began once more to buzz along the wires in secret questions and
answers to and from the highest quarters.
'Might it not be advisable,' telegraphed Lord Granville to Mr.
Gladstone, to put a little pressure on Baring, to induce him to
accept the assistance of General Gordon?' Mr. Gladstone replied,
also by a telegram, in the affirmative; and on the 15th, Lord
Wolseley telegraphed to Gordon begging him to come to London
immediately.
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