a very good purpose, no doubt. But sometimes Providence steps in
and turns the little point of contact into the leaven that leaveneth the
whole lump. Providence, it seems--or let us call it Fate--was hovering
over that lone African river, where two men, sitting in the stern of a
native canoe, took it upon themselves to prearrange their lives.

A month later Victor Durnovo was in London. He left behind him in Africa
Jack Meredith, whose capacities for organisation were developing very
quickly.

There was plenty of work for each to do. In Africa Meredith had
undertaken to get together men and boats, while Durnovo went home
to Europe for a threefold purpose. Firstly, a visit to Europe was
absolutely necessary for his health, shattered as it was by too long
a sojourn in the fever-ridden river beds of the West Coast. Secondly,
there were rifles, ammunition, and stores to be purchased and packed in
suitable cases. And, lastly, he was to find and enlist the third man,
"the soldierly fellow full of fight," who knew the natives and the
country.

This, indeed, was his first care on reaching London, and before his eyes
and brain were accustomed to the roar of the street life he took a cab
to Russell Square, giving the number affixed to the door of a gloomy
house in the least frequented corner of the stately quadrangle.

"Is Mr. Guy Oscard at home?" he inquired of the grave man-servant.

"He is, sir," replied the butler, stepping aside.

Victor Durnovo thought that a momentary hesitation on the part of the
butler was caused by a very natural and proper feeling of admiration for
the new clothes and hat which he had purchased out of the money advanced
by Jack Meredith for the outfit of the expedition. In reality the man
was waiting for the visitor to throw away his cigar before crossing the
threshold. But he waited in vain, and Durnovo stood, cigar in mouth, in
the dining-room until Guy Oscard came to him.

At first Oscard did not recognise him, and conveyed this fact by a
distant bow and an expectant silence.

"You do not seem to recognise me," said Durnovo with a laugh, which
lasted until the servant had closed the door. "Victor Durnovo!"

"Oh--yes--how are you?"

Oscard came forward and shook hands. His manner was not exactly
effusive. The truth was that their acquaintanceship in Africa had been
of the slightest, dating from some trivial services which Durnovo had
been able and very eager to render to the sportsman.