“I know, sergeant. But Treitschke did not live in Central Africa.”
“True, Excellence.”
“Die Schweinhünde Engländer have had more experience than we have. Even a fool learns wisdom by experience—sometimes.”
“True, Excellence.”
Again fell a silence save for the buzz of the persistent fly.
“Also psychological research is more valuable than artillery—sometimes—in spite of Napoleon and Treitschke.” Zu Pfeiffer glanced at the sergeant who, beneath the mask of his features, appeared shocked. “Blasphemy, nicht wahr, sergeant?”
“If your Excellence thinks——”
“But remember if Napoleon invented the science of artillery, we invented psychology.”
“True, Excellence.”
Zu Pfeiffer smiled complacently and stroked his moustaches.