“I have not seen my wife and children for three years, Excellence.”
“You shall have special leave as soon as the Wongolo affair is over.”
“I thank you, Excellence.”
“And I will recommend you for the special colonial service medal and pension.”
“I thank you, Excellence.”
“Take a drink, sergeant.”
“I thank you, Excellence.”
The sergeant obeyed with some semblance of initiative and he remarked that the lieutenant drank half a tumbler of neat brandy at a gulp. As if to drag himself away from the contemplation of the photograph zu Pfeiffer stood up and sat on the arm of the chair with his face in shadow above the lamp-shade. Gazing keenly at the sergeant, he said sharply:
“You are quite aware of the regulations regarding official secrets, sergeant?”
“Ach, yes, Excellence!”