Free electronic library

I will leave
the door ajar, in case you call me."
"Please don't trouble about it; I really shan't
want anything. I should be wasting your time for
nothing."
"Nonsense, man!" Martini broke in roughly.
"What's the use of trying to fool me that way?
Do you think I have no eyes? Lie still and go to
sleep, if you can."
He went into the adjoining room, and, leaving
the door open, sat down with a book. Presently
he heard the Gadfly move restlessly two or three
times. He put down his book and listened.
There was a short silence, then another restless
movement; then the quick, heavy, panting breath
of a man clenching his teeth to suppress a groan.
He went back into the room.
"Can I do anything for you, Rivarez?"
There was no answer, and he crossed the room
to the bed-side. The Gadfly, with a ghastly, livid
face, looked at him for a moment, and silently
shook his head.
"Shall I give you some more opium? Riccardo
said you were to have it if the pain got very bad."
"No, thank you; I can bear it a bit longer.


Pages:
243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267