bt,
but for the first time in his marital life the professor's profound
knowledge of human nature was shot like a spot-light on to his own
affairs. Yet his erudition did not in the least relieve him from the laws
of emotional reaction.

Perhaps in an emotional moment.{~HORIZONTAL ELLIPSIS~} That knowledge of the frailties of genus
homo was too deep for comfort in such actuation.

"A toi, Lucille! A toi, Lucille!" rang and echoed as he paced that room,
striving for control.{~HORIZONTAL ELLIPSIS~} And--and--why else should zu Pfeiffer have gone
crazy?--why had he exclaimed: "Das ist der Schweinhuend"? The husband, of
course, whom he wanted out of the way, and he had immediately seized the
opportunity to secure that end, seemingly indifferent to
consequences--symptomatic of the state of "being in love."

Around and about, about and around a field of weeds which had sprung from
that seed "a toi," had paced the professor all night. When the green was
creeping through the high barred window, Sergeant Schneider had brought to
him some coffee and biscuits. Birnier had drunk the coffee thirstily, and
as the sergeant had no English nor French, had tried in broken German to
extract some information. But the sergeant had merely grunted and retired.
At seven he had returned again and escorted Birnier to the Court House. He
returned from the mock trial a little more in touch with reality, and more
impressed with the malignity of zu Pfeiffer. Yet the gratuitous insults,
the laboured farce of the registering of an alleged Swiss trader, Birnier
saw through, and was relieved, for it argued that zu Pfeiffer's intention
was to make Lucille a widow. No other reason could account for the
homicidal intentions displayed.

At the glow of dawn next day he was aroused by the big corporal who
ordered him out. The tone of the man's voice naturally stimulated a
violent reaction. But Birnier realised that his sole chance lay in
controlling himself to accept stoically whatever treatment was offered;
for he saw instantly that any protest or indignation would be interpreted
as insubordination and possibly be made an excuse to shoot him down.

Outside in the grey light he saw under the guard of six native soldiers,
the five others of his party. Mungongo, his personal "boy," cried out at
the sight of him, asking what was the meaning of these strange happenings.
Before Birnier could reply, the big corporal struck the man savagely with
a kiboko, bidding