“Sirrr!” roared van Gulpendam in a passion.
“Would you not, in that case, consider me wholly unfit for the position which I at present occupy; would you not feel the deepest contempt for my character, and would not your sense of duty urge you at once to request me to retire from my country’s service? At any rate, I know that you could never again, from that moment, place the slightest confidence in me. Is not that true? And yet the position I occupy imperatively demands that I should enjoy the fullest confidence of my superior officer.”
Mr. van Gulpendam had by this time recovered his temper, he could not help feeling the force of Verstork’s words.
“You take the whole business,” said he in his most conciliatory manner, “much too seriously. Now, just see how I look upon it. Yesterday you gentlemen had a most fatiguing day’s hunting. I make no doubt that now and then the pocket-flask was appealed to—of course it was, and very naturally too. After the hunt was over, a jolly sociable dinner, at which strong, heady Haantjes beer and heavy Baour wine—perhaps even generous champagne circulated pretty freely. No harm in that, all that is the most natural thing in the world. Amongst young people one could expect nothing else. Well—in that happy frame of mind you sat down to write your report—that is how I look upon it.”
“Indeed, Resident,” replied Verstork, “that report of mine then seems to have made no impression upon you, than that either I was not right in the head, or that I wrote it under the influence of liquor?”
“Mr. Verstork, my dear sir, you have such a queer way of blurting out things. Believe me, I have but one object in view, and that is to prevent you—in your own interest mind you—to commit an act of folly. It is for you to say whether you are prepared to withdraw this report—yes or no. To this I have but a single word to add, and that is: that your entire career depends upon your present decision.”
Verstork heaved a deep sigh. He saw only too clearly that, in whatever way he might decide to act, his position was an exceedingly difficult one. But for all that he would not retrace one step on the straight path upon which he had entered, which he knew was the path of truth and honour, and very quietly, but very firmly he said:
“Resident, my decision is taken. Come what will, I refuse to take back my report.”
“Is that your final decision?”
“It is, Resident.”