The visitor had to suppress a smile; the problem that he had thought to be so difficult had become so simple. He said evasively: "You overestimate my influence; the commander has read my letter of introduction, he knows that I am no expert on judicial procedures. If I do express my opinion, it would be my personal opinion, no more important than that of anyone else, and in any case of less importance than that of the commander, who in this penal colony, as I have been led to believe, has very extensive powers. If his opinion of this process is as firmly established as you think, then I fear that the end of this procedure is in sight, with no need of my modest contribution."
Did the officer understand that already? No, he did not understand it yet. He briskly shook his head, looked briefly
