t attempt to express
itself in words. On such a short acquaintance she had not learnt to
expect a certain lightness of conversational touch which he always
assumed when speaking of himself, as if his own thoughts and feelings
were matters for ridicule.

"Of course," he went on, "I was in the wrong. I know that. But it
sometimes happens that a man is not in a position to admit that he is
in the wrong--when, for instance, another person would suffer by such an
admission."

"Yes," answered Jocelyn; "I understand."

At this moment a servant came in with lamps and proceeded to close the
windows. She was quite an old woman--an Englishwoman--and as she placed
the lamps upon the table she scrutinised the guest after the manner of
a privileged servitor. When she had departed Jack Meredith continued his
narrative with a sort of deliberation which was explained later on.

"And," he said, "that is why I came to Africa--that is why I want to
make money. I do not mind confessing to a low greed of gain, because
I think I have the best motive that a man can have for wanting to make
money."

He said this meaningly, and watched her face all the while.

"A motive which any lady ought to approve of."

She smiled sympathetically.

"I approve and I admire your spirit."

She rose as she spoke, and moved towards a side table, where two lighted
candles had been placed.

"My motive for talking so barefacedly about myself," he said, as they
moved towards the door together, "was to let you know exactly who I am
and why I am here. It was only due to you on accepting your hospitality.
I might have been a criminal or an escaped embezzler. There were two on
board the steamer coming out, and several other shady characters."

"Yes," said the girl; "I saw your motive."

They were now in the hall, and the aged servant was waiting to show him
his room.

CHAPTER XI. A COMPACT

Drifting, slow drifting down a wizard stream.

"No one knows," Victor Durnovo was in the habit of saying, "what is
going on in the middle of Africa."

And on this principle he acted.

"Ten miles above the camping-ground where we first met," he had told
Meredith, "you will find a village where I have my headquarters. There
is quite a respectable house there, with--a--a woman to look after your
wants. When you have fixed things up at Loango, and have arranged
for the dhows to meet my steamer, take up all your men to this
village--Msala is the name--an