“I am not yet satisfied,” said Packard. “Let me see you display some of your powers and skill.”
“Sit down,” invited the one addressed. “Sit on that chair.”
He pointed at a plain wooden chair, and Packard sat on it, as directed.
Immediately the youth of the hideous face stooped, thrust his arm under the front crosspiece of the chair-frame, grasped the back piece, and said:
“Hold fast to the chair and sit quite still.”
The medic did as directed. Hawkins took a deep breath, and then his muscles began to swell and strain as he rose. And as he straightened up he lifted the chair from the floor with Packard upon it—up, up, up! The muscles of that magnificent upper arm and shoulder stood out hard and rigid! They swelled and grew taut across the back! Up, up, till Packard was lifted shoulder-high and held at arm’s length, still sitting on that chair!
It was a most astounding feat of strength, and Packard was breathless with admiration.
But how was the fellow to put him down?
After a moment Hawkins began to stoop, lowering his body gradually, still balancing Packard on the chair as he let him down. Slowly, gently, deliberately the athlete lowered that chair and its human burden, depositing it lightly upon the floor.
“There!” cried Defarge triumphantly; “what do you think of that?”