was running away. I had
him arrested."

"Good. Bring the animal to my quarters."

"Excellence."

The sergeant and the interpreter, with a trembling Sakamata between them,
followed zu Pfeiffer to the tent. As he entered he picked up the portrait
in the ivory frame and replaced it carefully on the table and sat down.

"Ask the shenzie why he has not informed us of this attack?"

The interpreter put the question to the terrified old man who mumbled that
he had not known anything about it.

"Ugm!" grunted zu Pfeiffer. "Send for a file of men, sergeant, and---- No!"
Zu Pfeiffer rose. "I'll get the truth out of him. Stand aside, corporal!"

The corporal obeyed with alacrity as jerking his revolver downwards zu
Pfeiffer pulled the trigger. The shot took off two of Sakamata's smaller
toes. The corporal grinned in appreciation. Zu Pfeiffer experienced a
shadow of the pleasure he would have had in mutilating Birnier.

"Pull him up!" commanded zu Pfeiffer. "Now ask him again!"

For a moment or two Sakamata, scarcely conscious of any pain in his
fright, could not comprehend what was said; at length he mumbled and
muttered. The interpreter lowered his head to listen.

"Well?"

"He says, Bwana, that he does not know anything; that they will not tell
him, but that he has heard that the god has come back."

"The god! What god?"

"The god which these shenzie (savages) had here before the Bwana came."

"The idol!" Zu Pfeiffer ripped out an oath. Then glaring questioningly at
the shrunken figure on the floor considered.

"Tell him he lies. How does he know that the idol has come back if they
will not tell him anything?"

Again the interpreter jabbered at Sakamata who mumbled back.

"He says, Bwana, that his words are white. That they have not told him,
but that he has heard the message of the drums. 'The Fire is lighted!'"

"What is that?"

"I don't know, Bwana."

"Ask him, you swine pig!"

"He says that whenever there is a new king that they call out those words,
meaning that he is come."

"Ugm!" Zu Pfeiffer took out a cigar and lighted it as he considered. I
believe the animal is right, he reflected. That swinehund American has
done this! He turned sharply to Sergeant Schultz: "Post double guards;
bring me Ludwig's report and take this thing away and have it shot."

"Excellence!"

The party went out. Zu Pfeiffer sat smoking fiercely. A single shot rang
out. Presently came Sergeant Ludwig in person.

"I ha