of
furniture. Without a word Birnier reached out and lifted a chair. Sergeant
Schneider started forward, evidently fearing that the prisoner was about
to attack his officer. Birnier said acidly: "I merely wish to sit down."

Zu Pfeiffer scowled again, but he made no objection. He took up some
papers at random and began to peruse them. Said Birnier sharply:

"When you have finished with this farce I shall be obliged if you will
kindly explain your insane actions!"

The tap-tap of a typewriter sounded from another room. A fly buzzed. Zu
Pfeiffer's eyelids did not blink. The sergeants stared woodenly to the
front. Birnier looked from one to the other, bit his lips, and then
exclaimed in exasperation: "What in hell do you mean by this damned
nonsense?"

The tap-tap continued; the fly buzzed irritatedly. Birnier clenched his
fist. But he sat still. Another storm so darkened the room that zu
Pfeiffer could scarcely have seen the print, but apparently he read on.
The deluge roared, passed, and the glare came as suddenly. Zu Pfeiffer
lifted his head and said in German:

"Sergeant, record the opening of the Court."

"Excellence!" assented Sergeant Schultz and poised his pen ready to write.

"The prisoner, a Swiss subject----"

"I am American, as I have told you," said Birnier in leashed anger.

"A pseudo trader and hunter, named Carl Bornstadt," continued zu Pfeiffer
imperturbably, "is charged under sub-section 79 of section 8 with
supplying guns and liquor to the native subjects of his Imperial Majesty."

"Good God!" began Birnier. But as he realised zu Pfeiffer's purpose and
his own position, he closed his lips tightly.

Methodically the sergeant finished the entries and waited. Zu Pfeiffer
stroked his favourite moustache and considered. He glanced at Birnier, but
without a vestige of expression and continued:

"Make a special note, sergeant, that we have reason to suspect that the
prisoner is in the political service of"--a slight smile flicked the
lieutenant's face--"in the service of the Portuguese, and so under
sub-section 109 of section 8, I am referring the case to Dar-es-salaam for
investigation; witnesses, documentary and personal, to accompany the
prisoner. Owing to unusual pressure of service we are unable to afford the
prisoner, although apparently of European descent, a white guard;
therefore, Sergeant Ludwig will detail a corporal and six men for the
duty."

He paused. The sergeant's pen scratched