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that it was an irresistible sympathy which had straightaway brought us together. He was constantly, furtively, looking at me, throughout the meal! Which was surprising, given the manner, which I had thought to be quite witty, of making his acquaintance that morning! Just think, a bullet had passed by no more than two or three centimetres from his skull. Nevertheless, he had smiled at this excellent joke. I didn’t see him begin to frown until a moment later when he was in a position to notice on what terms I already was with my boss. The influence which he alone could have over Sanders, that was evidently the source of this fellow’s livelihood.
    A man of rather average height, and a sallow complexion, as I’ve said. If my bullet had been fired a little bit lower, it wouldn’t have risked taking off much of his hair. Having said that, he was very hirsute individual. He was one of those unfortunate people who could shave themselves ten times a day. Their beard seems to grow as you watch, as quickly as on a corpse, making the cheeks look green or blue. On Streep, whose cheeks were the colour of beef stroganoff and peach melba, the hair made his cheeks seem darker between each dish.
    After dinner, as the first couples began to dance and weave their way between the tables, Sanders, who appeared to be constantly awkward and deep in thought, sent Captain Lucas over to us. He wanted us to join them and finish off a few more bottles of champagne. I couldn’t be bothered, but Alzire prompted me to accept.
    â€˜You can’t do otherwise!’ she muttered.
    *
    People only had eyes for her of course, as she crossed the room with an elegant and graceful style. She was really the sort of woman who if you were standing next to her you would have little chance of being noticed.
    Captain Lucas was charming towards her. Streep looked at her without saying a word, hardly able to take his eyes off her. At first I tried to start up a conversation with him, to see if he still bore a grudge against me after my misdemeanour that morning. It wasn’t that I particularly wanted to be in his good books. But he was going to be sailing on the same ship as Alzire, and I wanted as much as possible that she should not be subjected to any bad feeling which had nothing to do with her.
    As for Sanders, he had monopolised his bottle of champagne, which he had insisted on opening himself.
    â€˜Now then dear sir,’ Alzire said straightaway, ‘Is it true then that you are taking Michel away from me, to take him hunting God knows where? It’s a mark of real friendship that I’m showing you, in trusting him to you. Try to bring him back to me in one piece! And try also to prevent him doing anything stupid, won’t you? I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. You men, I understand you very well! You won’t be chasing after your tigers all the time. In the towns which you will be passing through, you will be sure to find a different sort of prey. I implore you not to give him too much opportunity.’
    Sanders jumped at these kind remarks. He glanced furtively at Streep. Evidently, he had not told his assistant about our project. But he had had so little time up until now. And it was a project still very much up in the air.
    Nonetheless it was clear that he would be much more at his ease when faced with big cats than with women. He turned his attention away from Streep, who received this news without a murmur, and switched his gaze again on Alzire.
    â€˜Don’t worry dear lady!’ he replied in his rough voice which he tried in vain to soften. ‘There’s nothing to worry about, as far as I can see. And besides, something tells me your little friend was quick enough to prefer the fauna of the desert than what you’re talking about. If he’s not grown up enough at his age to look after his own salvation, then with the greatest of respect it is hardly worth anyone else bothering