right,” said I, after a time. 'Mr. Kurtz's reputation is safe with me.” I did not know how truly I spoke.

“He informed me, lowering his voice, that it was Kurtz who had ordered the attack to be made on the steamer.

'He hated sometimes the idea of being taken away — and then again.... But I don't understand these matters. I am a simple man. He thought it would scare you away — that you would give it up, thinking him dead. I could not stop him. Oh, I had an awful time of it this last month.” 'Very well,” I said. 'He is all right now.” 'Ye-e-es,” he muttered, not very convinced apparently. 'Thanks,” said I; 'I shall keep my eyes open.” 'But quiet-eh?” he urged anxiously. 'It would be awful for his reputation if anybody here —