'If that fellow does finance L'Espoir, he'll want to stick his nose into it,' Henri said.

'Completely out of the question!' Dubreuilh replied. 'He will positively not intervene in the management of the paper. As a matter of fact, you'd be much more independent with a silent partner like him. After all, you are tied down to a certain extent by the fear of losing your readers.'

'Your shoemaker seems to be a funny kind of philanthropist.'

'If you met the man, you'd understand right off,' Dubreuilh said.

'Nevertheless, I can't bring myself to believe he won't impose any conditions,' Henri persisted.

'Absolutely none. I guarantee it. That's one thing you can be certain of.'