Open Book 4

A trip with a foreboding destination up the Congo River. A mysterious man whom all seem to fear. The ivory trade... and an excerpt:

"I looked at him, lost in astonishment. There he was before me, in motley, as though he had absconded from a troupe of mimes, enthusiastic, fabulous. His very existence was improbable, inexplicable, and altogether bewildering."

The author of this book, which was published 100 years ago, wrote it in English, which he didn't learn until he was 20 years old. His first language was Polish. This book was based on his own experiences working on the Congo River as a sailor some 20-plus years earlier.

The book has three words, the first of which can be broken.

To win a goody, E-mail [email protected] by noon ET Thursday with the title, author, and name of the actor who played the character Marlow in the movie of the same name. Two respondents will be chosen randomly from correct answers.

Jan. 21 quiz: A Reporter's Life by Walter Cronkite. Third question: The 20th-century human achievement Cronkite opines will dominate history books 500 years from now is man landing on the moon. Winners: Brian Aguinaga and Mike Gilly.