Further conversation was interrupted by the appearance of the four
policemen. As their eyes fell on Tarzan, surprise was writ large
on each countenance.

"My children," said the official, "here is the gentleman whom you
met in the Rue Maule last evening. He has come voluntarily to
give himself up. I wish you to listen attentively to Lieutenant
D'Arnot, who will tell you a part of the story of monsieur's life.
It may explain his attitude toward you of last night. Proceed, my
dear lieutenant."

D'Arnot spoke to the policemen for half an hour. He told them
something of Tarzan's wild jungle life. He explained the savage
training that had taught him to battle like a wild beast in
self-preservation. It became plain to them that the man had been
guided by instinct rather than reason in his attack upon them. He
had not understood their intentions. To him they had been little
different from any of the various forms of life he had been accustomed
to in his native jungle, where practically all were his enemies.

"Your pride has been wounded," said D'Arnot, in conclusion. "It
is the fact that this man overcame you that hurts the most. But
you need feel no shame. You would not make apologies for defeat
had you been penned in that small room with an African lion, or
with the great Gorilla of the jungles.

"And yet you were battling with muscles that have time and time
again been pitted, and always victoriously, against these terrors
of the dark continent. It is no disgrace to fall beneath the
superhuman strength of Tarzan of the Apes."