ient for his requirements.

"It was about my engagement," Jack went on deliberately. "I do not know
how it was, but they did not hit it off together. She was too honest to
throw herself at his head, I suppose; for I imagine a pretty girl can
usually do what she likes with an old man if she takes the trouble."

"Not with him, I think. Seemed to be rather down on girls in general,"
said Oscard coolly.

"Then you know him?"

"Yes, a little. I have met him once or twice, out, you know. I don't
suppose he would know me again if he saw me."

Which last remark does not redound to the credit of Guy's powers of
observation.

They paused. It is wonderful how near we may stand to the brink and
look far away beyond the chasm. Years afterwards they remembered this
conversation, and it is possible that Jack Meredith wondered then what
instinct it was that made him change the direction of their thoughts.

"If it is agreeable to you," he said, "I think it would be wise for me
to go down to Loango, and gently intimate to Durnovo that we should be
glad of his services."

"Certainly."

"He cannot be buying quinine all this time, you know. He said he would
travel night and day."

Oscard nodded gravely.

"How will you put it?" he asked.

"I thought I would simply say that his non-arrival caused us some
anxiety, and that I had come down to see if anything was wrong."

Jack rose and threw away the end of his cigarette. It was quite late,
and across the river the gleam of the moonlight on fixed bayonets told
that only the sentries were astir.

"And what about the small-pox?" pursued Oscard, more with the desire to
learn than to amend.

"Don't think I shall say anything about that. The man wants careful
handling."

"You will have to tell him that we have got it under."

"Yes, I'll do that. Good-night, old fellow; I shall be off by daylight."

By seven o'clock the next morning the canoe was ready, with its swarthy
rowers in their places. The two Englishmen breakfasted together, and
then walked down to the landing-stage side by side.

It was raining steadily, and the atmosphere had that singular feeling
of total relaxation and limpness which is only to be felt in the
rain-ridden districts of Central Africa.

"Take care of yourself," said Oscard gruffly as Jack stepped into the
canoe.

"All right."

"And bring back Durnovo with you."

Jack Meredith looked up with a vague smile.

"That man," he said lightly, "is goi