"
"Such an idea is incredible."
"Yet by what other hypothesis," asked Harley, "are we to cover the
facts of your own case as stated by yourself? Now," he consulted his
pencilled notes, "there is another point. I gather that these African
sorcerers rely largely upon what I may term intimidation. In other
words, they claim the power of wishing an enemy to death."
He raised his eyes and stared grimly at the Colonel.
"I should not like to suppose that a man of your courage and culture
could subscribe to such a belief."
"I do not, sir," declared the Colonel, warmly. "No Obeah man could ever
exercise his will upon _me!_"
"Yet, if I may say so," murmured Harley, "your will to live seems to
have become somewhat weakened."
"What do you mean?"
Colonel Menendez stood up, his delicate nostrils dilated. He glared
angrily at Harley.
"I mean that I perceive a certain resignation in your manner of which I
do not approve."
"You do not _approve?_" said Colonel Menendez, softly; and I thought as
he stood looking down upon my friend that I had rarely seen a more
formidable figure.
Paul Harley had roused him unaccountably, and knowing my friend for a
master of tact I knew also that this had been deliberate, although I
could not even dimly perceive his object.
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