“I think I do. I am willing to try.”
“He must be kept at any cost from drinking absinth. That is the only thing that can save him. You can prevent him from taking the stuff and you are the only one.”
“I understand what you mean. I must command him to let it alone.”
“That’s it, that’s it!”
“And that is all the favor you ask of me?”
“Yes.”
“You are modest, Skelding. For your sake, I’ll try to save him. I do not believe there is much good in him, but madness is a terrible thing, and I do not wish to think of my worst enemy as a lunatic behind iron bars.”
Skelding was satisfied.
Merriwell rose and moved his chair till it was directly in front of the high-backed chair on which Defarge was sitting. Then he sat down there, cautioning Gene to be silent and not interrupt. He next reached out his hand and touched the slumberer on the forehead, saying gently:
“Wake up, Defarge!”