flectively.

"When did the last agent come in?"

"But yesterday, Excellence."

"And no report of any other white men in the country? No British
missionaries or traders?"

"Nein, Excellence."

"Where is Saunders?"

"On Lake Kivu."

"No report?"

"Not since the last three months ago, Excellence."

"Umph!--Now, pay attention." Schultz leaned forward dutifully. Zu Pfeiffer
unrolled a map on the wall beside him. "Here's Ingonya. The Wongolo
country is twenty days' march from here, but across the lake it's twenty
hours with the launch, and five days from there." The delicate finger-nail
indicated a spot on the opposite side of the lake. "From here--what's the
place? Ach--Timballa. To hell with the British boundary! We must not give
them time to get the news. Always rush the seat of government. Surprise
them and they're done."

"But, Excellence, Treitschke says regarding retreat----"

"There will be no retreat. At MFunya MPopo's is the idol, the fetish. We
destroy it and they're done!" He brought down his fist with a crash on the
table. "Faith unites a people; in unity is strength. Break the faith and
you've broken the people."

"But, Excellence!" exclaimed the Lutheran sergeant, aghast.

Zu Pfeiffer's blue eyes hardened.

"Understand, you fool, these are savages. _You_ have an abstract
deity--which you cannot break in the concrete--obviously: they have a
concrete god which we can and shall smash."

"Excellence, you are right," said the sergeant humbly.

Zu Pfeiffer flicked cigar ash from his sleeve and lolled back.

"Those are your orders. Commandeer the necessary canoes and notify Ludwig
to have the men in readiness for the full moon. Work out the details and
give them to me to-morrow."

"Ja, Excellence." Schultz stood to attention. "But, Excellence, this
creature----"

Zu Pfeiffer glanced casually at Sakamata.

"Oh, that? Take it away!"

Schultz saluted smartly and wheeled about.

"Njoo!" he commanded sharply.

Sakamata rose up quietly and disappeared through the door without glancing
to the right or the left.

"The Court awaits your Excellence," reminded the sergeant.

As zu Pfeiffer nodded languidly, a booted foot clopped on the verandah.

"Wa da?" queried Sergeant Schultz, startled at the intrusion of a
stranger.

"Oh, only I," responded a soft voice in English.

Through the screen door a tall figure in a Tirai hat was silhouetted in
sepia against the yellow glare. A brown hand pushe