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Chapter 11
“WhatdidItellyou?”wasDoctorJackson’scryoftriumph.
Andthen,althoughitseemedtheeffortmustcrackmyface,Isummonedallthewillofmeandsmiled.
Theyheldwatertomylips,andIdrankgreedily.ItmustberememberedthatallthiswhileIlayhelplessonmyback,myarmspinionedalongwithmybodyinsidethejacket.Whentheyofferedmefood—dryprisonbread—Ishookmyhead.IclosedmyeyesinadvertisementthatIwastiredoftheirpresence.Thepainofmypartialresuscitationwasunbearable.Icouldfeelmybodycomingtolife.Downthecordsofmyneckandintomypatchofchestovertheheartdartingpainsweremakingtheirway.AndinmybrainthememorywasstrongthatPhilippawaitedmeinthebighall,andIwasdesiroustoescapeawaybacktothehalfadayandhalfanightIhadjustlivedinoldFrance.
Soitwas,evenastheystoodaboutme,thatIstrovetoeliminatetheliveportionofmybodyfrommyconsciousness.Iwasinhastetodepart,butWardenAtherton’svoiceheldmeback.
“Isthereanythingyouwanttocomplainabout?”heasked.
NowIhadbutonefear,namely,thattheywouldunlaceme;sothatitmustbeunderstoodthatmyreplywasnotutteredinbraggadociobutwasmeanttoforestallanypossibleunlacing.
