with you which may alter
your views.' Harold interrupted, still playing the game of hiding his
real purpose:

'I shall do as I wish; as I intend.'

'You are injuring yourself even now by standing in the draught of that
open window. Your eyes will feel it before long . . . Are you mad . . .
?'

Harold felt a prick like a pin in his neck; and turned to seize his
companion. He could not find him, and for a few moments stumbled through
the dark, raging . . .

It seemed a long time before he remembered anything. He had a sense of
time lapsed; of dreamland thoughts and visions. Then gradually
recollection came back. He tried to move; but found it impossible. His
arms and legs were extended wide and were tied; he could feel the cord
hurting his wrists and ankles as he moved. To him it was awful to be
thus blind and helpless; and anger began to surge up. He heard the voice
of Mr. Hilton close by him speaking in a calm, grave, sympathetic tone:

'My poor fellow, I hated to take such a step; but it was really necessary
for your own safety. You are a man, and a brave one. Won't you listen
to me for a few minutes? When you have heard what I have to say I shall
release you. In the meantime I apologise for the outrage, as I dare say
you consider it!' Harold was reasonable; and he was now blind and
helpless. Moreover, there was something in the Doctor's voice that
carried a sense of power with it.

'Go on! I shall listen!' He compelled himself to quietude. The Doctor
saw, and realised that he was master of himself. There were some snips
of scissors, and he was free.

'See! all I want is calm for a short time, and you have it. May I go
on?'

'Go on!' said Harold, not without respect. The Doctor after a pause
spoke:

'My poor fellow, I want you to understand that I wish to help you, to do
all in my power to restore to you that which you seem to have lost! I
can sympathise with your desire to quit life altogether now that the best
part of it, sight, seems gone. I do not pretend to judge the actions of
my fellows; and if you determine to carry out your purpose I shall not be
able to prevent you for ever. I shall not try to. But you certainly
shall not do so till you know what I know! I had wished to wait till I
could be a little more certain before I took you into confidence with
regard to my guessing as to the future. But your desire to destroy
yourself forces my hand. Now let me tell you that there