He chose a moment when they were stopped by a floating bridge which was open to let pass a sand barge that was just being slowly towed through. His tone was as cold as possible:

“Miss Lähnfeldt, what would you say to a shoot in Africa?”

She really looked surprised.

“A shoot in Africa?”

“Yes, up the Nile, for instance. To shoot hippopotamuses, crocodiles, lions. You get a licence in Cairo and hire a boat, a comfortable house-boat, and a few niggers.”

“Well ... yes ... perhaps it would be an idea ... since we can’t go to the moon....”

“And how do you think I would be as manager and courier then?”

“Well ... perhaps....”

“Would you like to try it with me?”

“I am afraid it would be a bit difficult to arrange.”