"Will you ask your father to tell?" inquired Norbith.
"No—damn you!"
It was the first thing the boy had said. And it came through set teeth, in a voice which the doctor scarcely knew.
"Move him back; a little further this time."
The tapping began again. This time the boy's head got more of the force of the swing; the tapping was more like a blow. THUD-THUD-THUD came the sound now; and in a few seconds the boy could see nothing for the shivering flames. He gave a faint groan.
"Ready to talk now?"
"Damn you—no!" in a voice that shook with pain.
"Move him closer!"
The thud became a pound. The doctor looked for the skull to give way at any moment; he tried his best to control the subconscious, but the boy's agony was too great. The dancing lights had become a continuous flare; the lad moaned steadily.
And then quite without warning, the boy broke down and gave out a terrible shriek. Norbith ordered the guards to move him away from the clock.