mistake happened? I--I--that is her writing--but it can't be. I mean it's
impossible.{~HORIZONTAL ELLIPSIS~}" Birnier put his hand to his head. "I--God, it can't be! I or
you must be mad! Which is----"

A prolonged whistle startled him. He saw the whistle at zu Pfeiffer's
lips, but the act conveyed no meaning. He turned away, struck another
match and peered again at the photograph.

"Lucille! Lucille!" he whispered. "What on earth----"

A powerful clutch closed upon his arm. He was whirled backwards into a
chair. For a moment he was too dazed to grasp what had happened. He saw zu
Pfeiffer's face. The sentries over his moustaches quivered like a row of
fixed bayonets. The eyes seemed needle points. Then the fact of the
assault penetrated beyond the unprecedented incident of finding his wife's
photograph in another man's room. The ugly line about the mouth hardened.
He rose slowly.

"Am I to understand that you have laid your hands upon your guest?" he
began, stuttering over the choice of words. "I am--I am----"

The scuffle of many feet interrupted him. Into the room rushed Sergeant
Schultz and several soldiers. Zu Pfeiffer stood up and pointed.

"Sergeant, arrest that man!" he barked.

"Ja, Excellence!"

The sergeant saluted and barked at the askaris. Birnier gazed stupidly at
the uniforms around him as if unable to comprehend. He looked at zu
Pfeiffer who stood erect, his face lost in shadow above the lamp, and back
at the soldiers.

"Is this a joke, Lieutenant--or are you mad?" he demanded angrily.

"Sergeant, put that man in the guard-room," zu Pfeiffer commanded.

Zu Pfeiffer sat down with his back to Birnier and facing the photograph.
Birnier's face twitched; he raised his arm. The sergeant barked and the
line of bayonets lowered menacingly.

"You gom with me, Herr American," ordered the sergeant.

Birnier controlled himself.

"One moment, sergeant, please! Herr Lieutenant, on what charge do you
arrest me?" The perfect lines of the white-clad back did not quiver. "Very
good! I give you warning, Herr Lieutenant, that you have committed an
assault upon an American citizen."

"Gom! Gom!" insisted the sergeant impatiently.

Birnier raised his head and walked as indicated by the sergeant. As the
footsteps plodded across the square zu Pfeiffer turned to the table,
examining his left hand.

"Ach!" he growled gutturally, "the dirty pig has broken my nail!"

CHA