There came upon Guy the impulse for instant flight. But whither? The impulse did not remain long in possession of him. He saw that Marven was striving to speak and could not find words, and at the same moment he realised that his victim was only partially awakened from the hypnotic state. Collecting all his faculties for a supreme effort Guy faced him.
"You cannot stand up," he said. "You cannot awaken for two minutes yet."
The Captain hesitated. He seemed to be fighting against an overpowering desire. But insistently Guy repeated his commands, and with a despairing gesture, Marven sank back once again into his corner.
Guy waited no longer. The moment Marven was quiescent, he rebuckled the case to the strap, and disposed it beneath the Captain's coat. Then he clapped his hands smartly before the sleeping man's face and cried loudly, "Wake up, Captain Marven, wake up."
Marven came back gradually from his trance. He rubbed his eyes, he looked wonderingly about him.
"What have you to say about hypnotism now?" asked Guy.
Captain Marven looked puzzled.
"I—I don't quite understand. Do you mean to say that I have slept?"
The train ran into Ely Station.
"Hullo! Where are we? At Cambridge already?" asked Marven.