“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. “I occupy the position of a specialist,” Harley continued, “and you occupy that of my patient. Now, you cannot disguise from me that your mental opposition to this danger which threatens has become slackened. Allow me to remind you that the strongest defence is counter-attack. You are angry, Colonel Menendez, but I would rather see you angry than apathetic. To come to my last point. You spoke of a neighbour in terms which led me to suppose that you suspected him of some association with your enemies. May I ask for the name of this person?” Colonel Menendez sat down again, puffing furiously at his cigarette, whilst beginning to roll another. He was much disturbed, was fighting to regain mastery of himself. “I apologize from the bottom of my heart,” he said, “for a breach of good behaviour which really was unforgivable. I was angry when I should have been grateful. Much that you have said is true. Because it is true, I despise myself.” He flashed a glance at Paul Harley. “Awake,” he continued, “I care for no man breathing, black or white; but _asleep_”--he shrugged his shoulders. “It is in sleep that these dealers in unclean things obtain their advantage.” “You excite my curiosity,” declared Harley. “Listen,” Colonel Menendez bent forward, resting his elbows upon his knees. Between the yellow fingers of his left hand he held the newly completed cigarette whilst he continued to puff vigorously at the old one. “You recollect my speaking of the death of a certain native girl?” Paul Harley nodded.