It is likely that he had been engaged in some private expedition seeking plunder.
"How did I know that you were about to suggest a private expedition?"
A private expedition, they say, is not as impossible as it sounds.
And governments are simply unwilling to pay what's required, so the opportunities for private expeditions are great.
Wilkins' flight was one of the last large private expeditions made to Antarctica.
In 1890 a private expedition was also disappointed.
And don't let her dash off on some private expedition.
No, she couldn't pretend she hadn't realized there was more than one motive for this private expedition.
When Eve asked who they were they said a private expedition.
Or for a mere $100 million per seat you can become part of the first private expedition to the moon.