“You say, commandant?” asked the good sailor.
“Nothing of interest to you. Go on.”
“Well, after that—but there is nothing more to tell, except that I heard nothing more. The lieutenant remained in the same position till I came to light the lamp; then he ordered me to make him tack ship, and to let down the screen over the lamp. I did so. He gave out two or three big sighs, and then goodnight, and nothing more. He was asleep as you see him now.”
“And how did his eyes look when he fell asleep?”
“Quite calm and bright.”
The doctor looked like a man to whom something has happened which is utterly inexplicable to him, and said in a low voice,—
“He will pull through, I am sure now. I said there could not be another miracle; and here it is!”
Then turning to Lefloch, he asked,—
“You know where I am staying?”
“Yes, commandant.”