ans going back to that room again," said Beckenham, in a voice
I hardly recognized, "I would far rather die and be done with it."

"Do not fear, my lord, you shall not die," Nikola said, turning to him
with a bow. "Believe me, you will live to enjoy many happier hours than
those you have been compelled to spend under my roof!"

"What do you mean?"

The doctor did not answer for nearly a moment; then he took what looked
to me suspiciously like a cablegram form from his pocket and carefully
examined it. Having done so, he said quietly,----

"Gentlemen, you ask what I mean? Well, I mean this--if you wish to leave
this house this very minute, you are free to do so on one condition!"

"And that condition is?"

"That you allow yourselves to be blindfolded in this room and conducted
by my servants to the harbour side. I must furthermore ask your words of
honour that you will not seek to remove your bandages until you are
given permission to do so. Do you agree to this?"

Needless to say we both signified our assent.

This free permission to leave the house was a second surprise, and one
for which we were totally unprepared.

"Then let it be so. Believe me, my lord Marquis, and you, Mr. Hatteras,
it is with the utmost pleasure I restore your liberty to you again!"

He made a sign to Prendergast, who instantly stepped forward. But I had
something to say before we were removed.

"One word first, Dr. Nikola. You have----"

"Mr. Hatteras, if you will be guided by me, you will keep a silent
tongue in your head. Let well alone. Take warning by the proverb, and
beware how you disturb a sleeping dog. Why I have acted as I have done
towards you, you may some day learn; in the meantime rest assured it was
from no idle motive. Now take me at my word, and go while you have the
chance. I may change my mind in a moment, and then----"

He stopped and did not say any more. At a sign, Prendergast clapped a
thick bandage over my eyes, while another man did the same for
Beckenham; a man on either side of me took my arms, and next moment we
had passed out of the room, and before I could have counted fifty were
in the cool air of the street.

How long we were walking, after leaving the house, I could not say, but
at last our escort called a halt. Prendergast was evidently in command,
for he said,--

"Gentlemen, before we leave you, you will renew your words of honour not
to remove your bandages for five full minutes?"

We complie