“Hiram C. Potts,” he said in a low, coaxing tone, “sit up and take your semolina. Force yourself, laddie, force yourself. I know it’s nauseating, but the doctor said no alcohol and very little meat.”
In the silence that followed, a board creaked outside, and again he tempted the sick man with food.
“Semolina, Hiram—semolina. Makes bouncing babies. I’d just love to see you bounce, my Potts.”
His voice died away, and he rose slowly to his feet. In the open door four men were standing, each with a peculiar-shaped revolver in his hand.
“What the devil,” cried Drummond furiously, “is the meaning of this?”
“Cut it out,” cried the leader contemptuously. “These guns are silent. If you utter—you die. Do you get me?”
The veins stood out on Drummond’s forehead, and he controlled himself with an immense effort.
“Are you aware that this man is a guest of mine, and sick?” he said, his voice shaking with rage.
“You don’t say,” remarked the leader, and one of the others laughed. “Rip the bed-clothes off, boys, and gag the young cock-sparrow.”
Before he could resist, a gag was thrust in Drummond’s mouth and his hands were tied behind his back. Then, helpless and impotent, he watched three of them lift up the man from the bed, and, putting a gag in his mouth also, carry him out of the room.