I came to with a light shining in my eyes.
There was a doctor putting his equipment away. "He'll be all right, Mr. Defoe," he said, and snapped his bag shut and left the circle of light.
I felt terrible, but my head was clearing.
I managed to focus my eyes. Defoe was there, and a couple of other men. I recognized Gogarty, looking sick and dejected, and another face I knew—it was out of my Home Office training—an officer whose name I didn't recall, wearing the uniform of a lieutenant-general of expediters. That meant at least an expediter corps in Naples!
I said weakly, "Hi."
Defoe stood over me. He said, "I'm very glad to see you, Thomas. Coffee?"
He steadied my hands as I gulped it. When I had managed a few swallows, he took the cup away.
"I did not think you would resist arrest, Thomas," he said in a parental tone.
I said, "Damn it, you didn't have to arrest me! I came down here of my own free will!"