"Once—means 'yes.' Twice—means 'no.'"
He delivered every ounce of his mental energy against the drug in his brain; it was like struggling against the tide. "Once—means 'yes?' Twice—means 'no?'" The meaning suddenly became clear to him. "The up-river trip?"
She nodded slowly, anxiously. "And twice—means death, also, Peter!"
He tried to drag himself erect, tried to twist his head, and he sank back with a bitter groan. "You drugged me!"
"There was no other way. I could not let you go into the night—into death!"
A bitter smile came to his white lips. "I am quite powerless?"
"I—I am afraid you are, Peter."
"If I decide yes—or if I decide no—how can I defend myself?"
"You are quite helpless," she confessed in a whisper. "No. You cannot defend yourself." Her expression showed an inward struggle. "You are in my hands. You are in my arms! Yes! What have you to say?"
The smile of bitterness came and flickered again over his pale lips. He tried to throw back his head, but the redness was settling down upon him again. "What shall I say?" he muttered. "I say—two lights! I say—no! No!"