XECUTION till
that hour; then if they don't disgorge I'll kill every one of them
_myself_!'... 'Not so fast, comrade!' returned the rebellious one; as
a member of the guard I believe _I'll keep you company_.'

"... I knew better than to object.... That man is a cutthroat beyond
redemption and will hesitate at nothing to satisfy his lust....
That'll be _fine_,' I rejoined; 'YOU STAY WITH ME; the rest of the men
are dismissed!'... when the men disappeared I made a run and jump at
my diabolical 'comrade' and struck him squarely on the nose. Then I
smashed him on the mouth, and, with a down drive of my left, I bored
into the pit of his stomach and sent him sprawling on the carpet,
where he BLED as profusely as a corn-fed bull.... This blood was
exactly what I wanted, and in my anxiety to make a good job of it I
kicked him several times in the face until he lay there, motionless
and senseless, bleeding from every gash.... In the joy of giving this
remorseless bully what he needed to overcome his pride I OVERLOOKED
ENTIRELY THE PROPRIETY OF MAKING HIM BLEED IN ALL THE OTHER ROOMS....
This little oversight may cost me a well-earned reputation for
efficient management I have hitherto enjoyed among many great men
of our times, if the omission be detected by some enterprising
commission, some journalist or SERVICE man who will certainly check up
my report if I leave this place alive...."

25. This entry follows:

"It was a long wait till midnight when the mob outside expected to
be invited to a division of the spoils.... but my plans were taking
shape gradually as the moments slipped away.... In this isolated,
though nicely furnished and elegant two-story dwelling, I got closer
to the heart of my celebrated prisoner and his family than any other
man alive.... In the few hours left to us before the time set for
their 'execution'--in these evening shadows of July, 1918,--we have
been discussing the effect of THEIR SACRIFICE upon the history of the
world.... I put this down from memory:

"'It is understood already in certain chancellories,' my prisoner
significantly replied, 'how my execution will be publicly accounted
for.... Each Ministry will appoint a Commission, suggested by the
Crown, to investigate and publish its own report.... The report
published will be given out under the name of a Naval or Military
Commission to impart an official sanction to the supposed inquiry and
support the authenticity of the document agreed