At least, so it was said.
We doubted whether he had any visions of wealth--for himself, at any rate.

What he seemed mostly concerned for was the "stride forward," as he expressed it, in the general organization of the universe, apparently.

He was heard by more than a hundred persons in the islands talking of a "great stride forward for these regions." The convinced wave of the hand which accompanied the phrase suggested tropical distances being impelled onward.

In connection with the finished courtesy of his manner, it was persuasive, or at any rate silencing--for a time, at least.

Nobody cared to argue with him when he talked in this strain.