Montanelli came in with the sergeant and three guards.
“If Your Eminence will kindly wait a moment,” the sergeant began nervously, “one of my men will bring a chair. He has just gone to fetch it. Your Eminence will excuse us—if we had been expecting you, we should have been prepared.”
“There is no need for any preparation. Will you kindly leave us alone, sergeant; and wait at the foot of the stairs with your men?”
“Yes, Your Eminence. Here is the chair; shall I put it beside him?”
The Gadfly was lying with closed eyes; but he felt that Montanelli was looking at him.
“I think he is asleep, Your Eminence,” the sergeant was beginning, but the Gadfly opened his eyes.
“No,” he said.
As the soldiers were leaving the cell they were stopped by a sudden exclamation from Montanelli; and, turning back, saw that he was bending down to examine the straps.
“Who has been doing this?” he asked. The sergeant fumbled with his cap.
“It was by the Governor's express orders, Your Eminence.”