Birnier’s mouth tightened.
“Quite possibly.”
“You have been to the Wongolo country already?”
“Yes, I have been there, but what has that to do with it?”
“We know all about you,” stated zu Pfeiffer coldly, twiddling his cigar between slender fingers. He glanced at a gold repeater. “Pardon, but I must request you to return later. The Court is already awaiting me.” Birnier frowned slightly. “If you will be so good as to return at, let us say, five o’clock, I will be pleased to listen to your application.”
Birnier rose, taking his hat.
“Certainly,” he said curtly. “Good morning!”
Zu Pfeiffer watched him depart; then he struck the bell sharply. Sergeant Schultz appeared, a line of nervous expectancy upon his sallow face.
“Why have you not reported that man’s arrival?” demanded [zu] Pfeiffer harshly.
“Excellence,” returned Schultz, saluting, “he has but arrived within the hour in a launch, loaned to him by the Engländer.”