"Opinion time, Mister Solo. Both remaining men are close to the same age. Both athletic. Both multilingual. The role I have in mind for one of them might involve friction with his fellow agents - rather akin to some of the friction you experienced when Mister Kuryakin became your partner. Which of them do you think would weather it better?"

"I have to admit that my inclination might be due to knowing him better, but I'd pick Mark Slate. It might be from growing up in a war zone, but he lets a lot of irritations roll off his back."