akness? Is
it possible that you, a man in the very prime of life and apparently in
perfect bodily and mental health, can be so utterly devoid of self-
control that because you have suffered injury, real or imagined, from--"

"_Sacre_!" he interrupted, starting savagely to his feet; "there is no
question, monsieur, as to the reality of the injuries that I have
suffered at the hands of your hateful countrymen--"

"Very well, monsieur," I cut in, speaking very quietly, "for argument's
sake I will admit, if you like, that your injuries are both real and
deep. Still, does it not seem to you absurdly illogical that because
certain persons have injured you, you must yield to this insane craving
to wreak your revenge upon somebody else who has had no hand in the
infliction of those injuries?"

"Quite possibly; I cannot tell," answered Tourville. "It may be that I
_am_ mad on this one particular point. But I do not admit the soundness
of your argument, monsieur. You contend that you personally have not
injured me. That may be perfectly true. But you admit that you belong
to the Slave Squadron; and it is at the hands of that same squadron that
I have suffered much of the injury of which I complain. Now it is
impossible for me to discriminate between the individuals in that
squadron who have injured me, and those who have not; and I therefore
contend that I am perfectly justified in wreaking my vengeance upon any
of them who chance to fall into my power. And, in any case, if I should
blow out your brains I shall at least have rid myself of one potential
enemy. Therefore--"

And to my immeasurable surprise the man calmly drew a pistol from his
belt and levelled it across the table straight at my head. I sprang to
my feet with the idea of flinging myself upon and disarming him, for I
could no longer doubt the fellow was stark, staring mad upon this one
particular point; but before I could get at him the weapon exploded, and
the ball, passing so close to my head that I felt it stir my hair,
buried itself in the panelling of the cabin behind me. With a savage
snarl he raised his hand, and would have dashed the heavy pistol-butt in
my face; but by that time I was upon him, and, seizing his throat with
one hand, while I wrenched the weapon from his grasp with the other, I
bore him to the deck, and planted my right knee square in the middle of
his chest, pinning him securely down.

"You treacherous, murderous scoundrel!"