Again he lifted the uneasy figure and placed it upon the reclining chair, into which it collapsed helplessly with a nerveless huddle.
A few minutes more of alternate fan and bottle resulted in the opening of the eyes and the utterance of a choking gasp.
Assured now, the Sepoy rushed to the bedroom, threw aside the coverlets and possessed himself of one of the sheets.
With the aid of his pocket-knife he ripped this into several lengths, with which he returned to the rapidly reviving Gratz.
In his grim struggle for reanimation the firm lines about the mouth of the unfortunate man had finally relaxed, and into this ugly opening the Sepoy inserted a strip of the sheet and secured it in a rigid knot behind the neck of his victim.
With a few dexterous turns and knots he bound the body to the chair with the remaining lengths of linen, and hastening to the washstand grasped a water pitcher and deluged the face of the now thoroughly awakened Gratz.
From the look in his eyes it was evident that his senses had not only fully returned, but that he was perfectly aware of the changed conditions and their relative humiliations.
For a moment an expression vaguely suggestive of admiration shadowed through the slightly flushed countenance, and the next instant it returned to its customary apathy, from which it was not again disturbed during the bitter ordeal to which the helpless Gratz was subjected.
“And now,” exclaimed the Sepoy with a frightful grin of malice, “I trust that your senses are sufficiently restored to receive a farewell suggestion or two. You will notice,” he went on with evil emphasis, “that I say ‘farewell suggestions,’ for I assure you that you will never set eyes on me again.
“A little previous to the change which resulted in your present predicament, I extended to you the courtesy of all sorts of tribute to your acumen.