The Frenchman writhed, but remained silent, after waiting a moment Nick said:
"Three!"
The Frenchman writhed now terribly; the blood rushed to his face, turning it almost to a hue of purple. He gritted his teeth, and he found voice enough to curse roundly.
"Four!" said the detective; and the Frenchman almost screamed out, so suddenly, did the additional shock come.
"Five!" counted the detective mercilessly, without waiting this time; and the Frenchman groaned aloud.
"Six! Seven! Eight!"
A wild scream rang through the room. The French-man's arms and legs were twisted almost out of shape, and after a second he shrieked:
"Mercy? Mercy!"
The detective raised his hand, and instantly Patsy turned off all the current-and the reaction was so great that instantly the Frenchman dropped to the floor, limp and nerveless, and with a loud sigh of intense relief. Nick Carter waited a moment, and then he asked calmly:
"Are you satisfied, Dumont?"