After three years service in the Congo he returned to Brussels and became the military instructor of Prince Albert, now King of the Belgians. The African fever was in his veins. He heard that a mission was about to depart for Zanzibar and East Africa. A knowledge of English was a necessary part of the equipment of the chief officer. Francqui wanted this job but he did not know a syllable of English. He went to a friend and confided his ambition.
"Are you willing to take a chance with one word?" asked his colleague.
"I am," answered the young officer.
He thereupon acquired the word "yes," his friend's injunction being, "If you say 'yes' to every question you can probably carry it off."
Francqui thereupon went to the Foreign Office and was immediately asked in English:
"Can you speak English?"
"Yes," was his immediate retort.
"Are you willing to undertake the hazards of this journey to Zanzibar?" queried the interrogator.
"Yes," came the reply.
Luck was with Francqui for, as his good angel had prophesied, his one word of English met every requirement and he got the assignment. Since that time, I might add, he has acquired a fluent command of the English language. Francqui has always been willing to take a chance and lead a forlorn hope.