"Well?"
"You are the first man in the world who has been locked up with an ounce of radium in a room twelve feet square, and your sensations would be of scientific value. If you care to describe them to me by telephone so long as you are conscious, I will not prosecute; otherwise I will place the matter in the hands of the police. Which do you prefer to do?"
"You are remarkably kind to offer me the alternative. I think I prefer to describe my sensations."
"Thank you. I am really very much obliged to you, John Smithers; but I ought to warn you beforehand that you will be put to great personal inconvenience. If you decide to try the experiment I shall not release you for some hours. I shall certainly not break off in the middle, however ill you feel."
"I have told you my choice," said Anstruther curtly.
"Right. Stop, though. What sort of a heart have you?"
"Strong."
"Good. You'll need it. Got a watch?"
"Yes."
"Can you take your pulse?"