“It is magnificent to be such a willing⁠—” added Schliemann, sidling up to him with a dreadful leer on his face. He made use of the same word⁠—“ Opfer. ”

“God! What could it all mean?” “Offer himself!” “True spirit of devotion!” “Willing,” “unselfish,” “magnificent!” Opfer, Opfer, Opfer! What in the name of heaven did it mean, that strange, mysterious word that struck such terror into his heart?