And, by the way, last time you were here you picked up one of that sort for your assistant--didn't you ?" "I engaged an assistant only to stop your preaching about the evils of solitude," said Renouard hastily; and the pressman laughed at the half-resentful tone.

His laugh was not very loud, but his plump person shook all over.

He was aware that his younger friend's deference to his advice was based only on an imperfect belief in his wisdom--or his sagacity.

But it was he who had first helped Renouard in his plans of exploration: the five-years' programme of scientific adventure, of work, of danger and endurance, carried out with such distinction and rewarded modestly with the lease of Malata island by the frugal colonial government.

And this reward, too, had been due to the journalist's advocacy with word and pen--for he was an influential man in the community.