17

Fulvio saw again his military parade and his prisoners: Americans, English, New Zealanders, Dutch, Marines, Pilots. Civilians of all nationalities. In front of them the oldest, the American Colonel Eugene Francis O'Neill.

Fulvio was followed by his new shadow, his assistant Po Leung.

Fulvio stopped and stood directly in front of Colonel O'Neill.

He looked at him contemptuously. He spoke in English; the common language between prisoners and Japanese. The Colonel looked at him with superiority and gave him a dismissive military salute.