“If you have any message you would like conveyed to your friends or relatives—— You have relatives, I suppose?”
There was no answer.
“Well, think it over and tell me, or the priest. I will see it is not neglected. You had better give your messages to the priest; he shall come at once, and stay the night with you. If there is any other wish——”
The Gadfly looked up.
“Tell the priest I would rather be alone. I have no friends and no messages.”
“But you will want to confess.”
“I am an atheist. I want nothing but to be left in peace.”
He said it in a dull, quiet voice, without defiance or irritation; and turned slowly away. At the door he stopped again.
“I forgot, colonel; there is a favour I wanted to ask. Don't let them tie me or bandage my eyes to-morrow, please. I will stand quite still.”