"
He coughed and shifted his feet in evident embarrassment;
then called back the sergeant, who
was leaving the room with his prisoner.
"Wait, sergeant; I want to speak to him."
The Gadfly did not move, and the Governor's
voice seemed to fall on unresponsive ears.
"If you have any message you would like conveyed
to your friends or relatives---- You have
relatives, I suppose?"
There was no answer.
"Well, think it over and tell me, or the priest.
I will see it is not neglected. You had better give
your messages to the priest; he shall come at once,
and stay the night with you. If there is any other
wish----"
The Gadfly looked up.
"Tell the priest I would rather be alone. I
have no friends and no messages."
"But you will want to confess."
"I am an atheist. I want nothing but to be
left in peace."
He said it in a dull, quiet voice, without defiance
or irritation; and turned slowly away. At the
door he stopped again.
"I forgot, colonel; there is a favour I wanted
to ask.
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