"As our medical adviser, and savant generally to the expedition."
"But how am I to make money by it?" asked the Doctor. "Do you imagine that I shall secure a large practice amongst the tribes of Africa, forsooth? I shall return to Paris perhaps in a year, more probably not for several, quite forgotten, and without having discharged my gambling debt to you."
"First of all, I want you to understand that the all-important point is to wean you from your evil habits of play—that is essential. Secondly, you will very probably get rid of your liability to me."
"I do not understand you. Do you offer me ninety thousand francs to accompany you?"
"I offer you nothing of the sort. The sum you mention is either too much or too little. Our mutual position in society precludes me from offering you a salary, and you from accepting such an offer. But," added M. de Morin, after a long pull at his cigar, "I can give you your revenge for the day before yesterday."
"My revenge!" exclaimed the Doctor, whose face lighted up in a moment. "You will promise to give me my revenge?"
"Why not?
"Then I may win back my losses? I may—"
"You may free yourself from your liabilities to me, and still not go to Africa? That is your meaning, as I take it."
"I assure you—"