could see, had conducted a difficult trip with great prudence and pluck, was invariably alluded to as 'that scoundrel.” The 'scoundrel' had reported that the 'man' had been very ill — had recovered imperfectly.... The two below me moved away then a few paces, and strolled back and forth at some little distance. I heard: 'Military post — doctor — two hundred miles — quite alone now — unavoidable delays — nine months — no news — strange rumours.” They approached again, just as the manager was saying, 'No one, as far as I know, unless a species of wandering trader — a pestilential fellow, snapping ivory from the natives.

' Who was it they were talking about now? I gathered in snatches that this was some man supposed to be in Kurtz's district, and of whom the